Untitled

Monday
Feb 06
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK- 18ft Skiffs Australian Championship fifth and final race of the series was held on Sydney Harbour today, Sunday 5 February 2012.
With the Australian Championship title already won by the Thurlow Fisher Lawyers team of Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas, today’s last race of the event became more a final hit out for the upcoming Giltinan Championship from 17 February. And what a race it was as the Gotta Love It 7 team of Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage put on an awesome display to defeat Thurlow Fisher Lawyers by 1m43s in a north-east wind which ranged between 12-15 knots.
Smeg (Nick Press, Dan Phillips and Dave Ewings) was a further 3m17s back in third place and took second place overall in the championship ahead of Gotta Love It 7.
Today’s win by ‘7’ has certainly stamped the team as favourites for the upcoming Giltinan Championship. After trailing Thurlow Fisher Lawyers by 10s at the first windward mark, Gotta Love It 7 grabbed the lead on the spinnaker run back to the bottom mark where she led by 20s. 7’s upwind speed on the next windward leg back to the Beashel Buoy enabled her to extend this margin to 45s, which she increased further to 1m back at the bottom mark on the second lap.
Thurlow Fisher’s crew could do nothing to stop the margin going out even further to 1m15s at the final windward mark and ultimately the 1m43s winning margin. The overall series result was Thurlow Fisher Lawyers 5 points, Smeg 9 points, Gotta Love It 7 11 points, then Rag and Famish Hotel. While a lot of interest went out of the race for victory, the battle for third-to-eighth placings kept the spectator fleet’s interest at a high. MORE STORY

Posted in Article

Volvo Race At a Glance

Monday
Feb 06
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK- February 5 – 1300 UTC: Team Sanya crossed the finish line in Sanya Bay at 19:35:17 UTC local time, 12:35:17 UTC, after more than 14 days at sea completing the 3,051 nautical mile Leg 3 Stage 2 race from the Maldives to China. Sanya receive five points after racing into a stopover for the first time in the race, bringing their total to 16 points.

Skipper Mike Sandersoin gave Chinese national Teng Jian He (aka Tiger) the honour of helming the boat across the finish line line in his home country.

Despite being visibly exhausted the crew of 11 were all smiles at the warmth of their rock-star like reception, complete with autograph requests and locals queuing for a photo opportunity.

The team had earlier asked locals to get the beers on ice ready for their arrival.

Meanwhile, Team Telefónica are continuing to celebrate after clinching their third victory from three legs in the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday, as less than nine hours separated the top five teams at the finish of the 3,051 nautical mile (nm) second stage of Leg 3 from the Maldives to Sanya in China.
Groupama closed out second, with CAMPER third, PUMA fourth and Abu Dhabi fifth. For a roundup of the top five finish. MORE STORY

Posted in Article - Tagged volvo ocean race

Puma Sets 24 Hour Record

Monday
Feb 06
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK- PUMA Ocean Racing may have missed out on a podium position in Leg 3 but they proved Mar Mostro’s potential as they picked up the IWC Speed Record Challenge trophy for the leg with a 24-hour run of 355.89 nautical miles.

Ken Read’s men join the crews of CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and Groupama sailing team, recipients of the Legs 1 and 2 distance awards, in the trophy winner’s club.

PUMA set the bar late in the leg, sailing the top 24-hour distance on February 4 as they straight-lined past Vietnam towards Sanya.
Skipper Ken Read said the win was proof that he had great boat, which was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, and a solid crew capable of anything.

“Imagine what we could have done if we had pulled our mainsail up,” joked Read. “We’ve always been happy with our boat, and this goes to show we have a persistent crew, doing what they do best — constantly working to make the boat go faster.”

A trophy is awarded at the end of each leg to the team recording the greatest distance over a 24-hour period by the Volvo Ocean Race’s Official Timekeeper IWC Schaffhausen.

The overall greatest 24-hour distance over the entire eight months of the race will land all 11 members of the winning crew with an IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Edition ‘Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12’ MORE STORY

Posted in Article - Tagged puma ocean racing, volvo ocean race

Good Morning Vietnam

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

MOVING PICTURES- Catch the latest news from the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 as the fleet close in on Sanya and head up the Vietnamese coast.

Posted in Moving Pictures - Tagged volvo ocean race

Buckley Systems damaged

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK - Global Ocean Race leaders Ross and Campbell Field of Team Buckley Systems have suffered damage to their yacht after sailing into big waves. One wave lifted the yacht and launched it with a bad landing, damaging the boat and injuring Ross Field. MORE on the STORY - Photo Jesus Renedo

Posted in Article - Tagged class40s, Global Ocean Race

Americas Cup on ESPN Classic

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

SHOWS- ESPN Classic will be airing “Stars and Stripes Anniversary Special”. This show will be showen Friday at 1100 pm and Saturday at 200 am and 900 am times are Pacific.

Posted in Article - Tagged americas cup, Dennis Connor

The New Science of Sail Trim

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK - Check out the “Tech Review” from Sailing World January/February 2012 on the integration of cameras, computers, and trimmers takes the guesswork out of getting sails set up correctly. Will this new technology ruin the sport or help it? Image by Quantum Racing

Posted in Article

America’s Cup 1987, 25th Anniversary

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

MOVING PICTURES- The victory made Conner a true legend in the sport, and our ‘America’s Cup 1987, 25th Anniversary’ video looks back at this historic moment, along with a look ahead to the the 34th edition of the Cup, to be defended by American team ORACLE Racing, in

Posted in Article - Tagged Amercia's Cup, Dennis Connor, Oracle Racing

13 Key Seamanship Skills

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK - By George Sass Jr. – I once worked for a captain who told me that if I ever thought I knew everything, I’d better hang up my foul-weather gear and take up pottery. He was right. That’s one of the many nuances of boating I love. I maintain there are so many scenarios, combined with a multitude of variables, that it would be mathematically impossible to experience every challenge. And that’s why we should give a wide berth to the self-proclaimed know-it-all.

Knowledge on the water is often gained through mistakes. Over a period of time, confidence will increase and hopefully we will search out new challenges to take us to the next level. A summer cruise to Vancouver may lead to an extended cruise up the Inside Passage. A fall delivery through the inland waters of the East Coast could whet your appetite for a Bahamas adventure the following winter.

Each of these moments away from the dock can bring new experiences. However, there are some skills and tricks that I’ve learned after some bumps and bruises that may decrease your challenge factor. Here are 13 of them.

Posted in Article - Tagged boating safety

Know The Rules – The Answer

Friday
Feb 03
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

RACING RULES- Here is the answer from yesterdays rules question.

Whether the flag is displayed conspicuously depends on a number of considerations, such as the place on the boat from which the flag is displayed, its proximity to other objects of the same or a similar color and, the size of the flag in relation to the size of the boat. On a 40-foot boat a 2″ by 8″ flag is too small to be conspicuous. In this case, the flag’s proportions also detracted from the conspicuousness of its display.

Since the requirement of rule 61.1(a) that the flag be conspicuously displayed was not met, the protest committee, acting under rule 63.5, should have found that the protest was invalid for that reason, and closed the hearing. The protest committee’s reason for finding the protest invalid is incorrect. Leading Lady’s appeal is denied, and the decision of the protest committee is corrected as described above.

Posted in Article

Know The Rules – The Question

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

RACING RULES – This report from International Judge Jos M. Spijkerman comes from the 5P Department: Prior planning avoids poor performance: Rule 61.1(a), Protest Requirements: Informing the Protestee and Rule 63.5, Hearings: Validity of the Protest or Request for Redress.

Example: Near the windward mark, Leading Lady and Aliens Ate My Buick, two 40-foot boats, were involved in an incident. Leading Lady immediately hailed “Protest” and displayed a 2″ by 8″ strip of red cloth from her backstay. The protest committee concluded that the strip of red cloth was inadequate to qualify as a flag on a 40-foot boat, and therefore found the protest to be invalid and closed the hearing. Leading Lady appealed.

Decision of the Appeals Committee: The strip of red cloth qualified as a protest flag in the context of rule 61.1(a) because it was a red flag. However, rule 61.1(a) also requires a boat to “conspicuously display” the protest flag. This requirement is necessary to inform other boats in the race, as well as the boat to be protested, that a boat intends to protest. The phrase “conspicuously display” must be interpreted in the context of the size of the boat displaying the flag. An object that is conspicuous is not merely visible; it “catches one’s eye or attention” or is “obvious to the eye or mind” (dictionary references).

So who won the appeal? Let us know at [email protected]

Posted in Article

Maserati Is On the Way

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

RACING- Maserati, crewed by a team led by Giovanni Soldini, set sail today in an attempt to establish a new record for the Cadiz-San Salvador crossing. Maserati’s first record challenge is an Atlantic crossing of 3884 miles.

Today saw the start of Maserati‘s first record attempt. Giovanni Soldini and his crew of seven experienced yachtsmen set sail this morning at 11:50:08 hrs GMT from the port of Cadiz (Spain), heading to San Salvador (Bahamas). The crew’s ambitious objective is to set a new record over the Cadiz-San Salvador distance, a journey of 3884 miles across the Atlantic that has never been attempted by a monohull yacht before now.

Skipper Soldini is accompanied by German yachtsman Boris Herrmann (navigator), American yachtsman Brad Van Liew and Spaniard David Vera (both watch leaders) as well as four Italians: Gabriele Olivo (trimmer), Guido Broggi (boat captain), Corrado Rossignoli (first bowman) and Marco Spertini (second bowman).

“We have decided to set off from Cadiz immediately because of favourable weather”, explains Giovanni Soldini. “The high pressure area over the Azores has moved to a position from which it should grant us a good wind during the first half of the crossing. We can’t really tell what will happen in the second half, around 40-50 W, because the long term forecasts are simply not reliable enough. We shouldn’t find any surprises, though. We are all ready for the challenge and really looking forward to getting under way.”

Spaniard David Vera, Maserati watch leader adds: “I’m delighted to be part of the Maserati team. It’s a beautiful, fast boat and we’ve got a great team. I’m perfectly at home here in Spain too. I live in Gran Canaria and the passage around the Canary Islands is a crucial moment for us in navigational terms. We have to keep south of the islands, sailing as close as possible to the coast without losing any wind.”

The Cadiz-San Salvador record is being monitored by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. It is a particularly tough challenge due to the length of the crossing and its difficulty. The main problem during the first part of the trip will be a high pressure area over the Azores and blocking the way. During the second half, the principal risk will come from a series of fronts and depressions that could slow the boat down if the pressure is too low. In the past, only large trimarans have made attempts on this record. Maserati is trying to set the first reference time for monohull boats.

The record attempt can be followed live on Giovanni Soldini and Maserati’s new website The site contains news, videos and photos of the crew’ life on board, and provides continuous monitoring of the marine weather conditions, as well as online tracking to check the position and speed of Maserati in real time. Check out the website www.maserati.soldini.it

Posted in Article - Tagged maserati

Headwinds and the Roaring 40s

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor

RACING – As the double-handed Global Ocean Race (GOR) Class40s dropped deeper south through the Pacific’s Roaring Forties led by Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron with Campagne de France, the distance between the leading trio of boats compressed rapidly from 30 miles on Tuesday evening GMT, to just six miles on Wednesday morning.

By 11:00 GMT on Wednesday, Ross and Campbell Field – guarding their habitual position furthest south – took Buckley Systems into the lead at 48S with Mabire and Merron dropping back to third, 20 miles directly astern of the Fields with Conrad Colman and Adrian Kuttel holding second place to leeward on Cessna Citation.

Meanwhile, Marco Nannini and Hugo Ramon on Financial Crisis had re-joined the main pack, but kept north with the South African duo of Nick Leggatt and Phillippa Hutton-Squire working south with Phesheya-Racing and recovering from sail damage: “Our high speed run yesterday came to an abrupt end soon after dark when the boat spun out of control at speed,” reports Nick Leggatt. “The bluQube A6 got wrapped around the forestay, causing a tear just above the tack. In the darkness we were lucky to retrieve the sail on the foredeck without too much fuss and then bundled it down below to start repairs immediately.” With the wind gusting at the top end of the 20-knot range, Leggatt and Hutton-Squire were on high alert: “We decided to remain cautious until daybreak even though it meant losing a lot of miles to Financial Crisis,” he explains.

At 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, Phesheya-Racing was 81 miles behind Nannini and Ramon onFinancial Crisis and trailing the fleet leader by 129 miles as Leggatt and Hutton-Squire continued to drop south. “The dive down towards the south by the entire fleet is to try and position ourselves in the optimum place to make it through the forecast strong SE winds that are expected,” Nick Leggatt explains of the imminent 25-30 knots of wind.

In the GOR’s 21:00 GMT position poll, Mabire and Merron had taken Campagne de Francefurthest south approaching 49S in third place with 22 miles to the Fields on Buckley Systemswho remain in the lead with Colman and Kuttel hard on the chase for pole position with Cessna Citation just five miles behind the Kiwi father-and-son duo.

Posted in Article - Tagged Global Ocean Race

Offshore Championship

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSER - Ullman Sails is proud to present the third annual Ullman Sails Offshore Championships in Southern California! The 2012 series has five different courses with one common requirement – you must round a rock (whether it’s Catalina, Anacapa or San Clemente Island). So mark your calendar for the Islands Race, The Border Run, Cabrillo Beach to Dana Point Race, the Whitney Series #3 and Santa Barbara-King Harbor Race. Plus, the series is graciously hosted and organized by some of Southern California’s top yacht clubs. It’s time to head offshore. MORE

Posted in Article - Tagged ullman sails

From Our Free Classifieds

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

CLASSIFIEDS - From our FREE XS classifieds check out this cool International 14 for sale! Great competitive boat with all the gear you need to go out, have fun and win races! 3 mains, 2 jibs, 3 spins, race set includes 2010 north jib, alexander fat head main, north kite bieker rig, t-foil rudder, lots of new rigging. spare set of foils. covers for everything. This is a great boat. 3rd place at the last nationals. Very solid and well set up for all conditions. Get your place in the rapidly expanding fleet! MORE DETAILS

Posted in Article

Will Puma’s Move Pay Off?

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

HOTLINK- Volvo Ocean Race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante says the next 12 hours could be key to determining the eventual Leg 3 winner and will give a clear indication whether or not the bold easterly move by Puma Ocean Racing powered by Berg will pay off.
Tonight the VOR fleet are facing 25 knot winds and steep waves, testing both the crews and their boats as they close on the Vietnam coast.

Puma were a distant third when they split from the fleet to head east, but Infante says based on the latest data they now stand a better than average chance of getting themselves right back in the fight to win the second stage of Leg 3. ‘They are beginning to look strong,’ Infante said. ‘But there is risk as well. Their position to the east of the fleet means they will benefit from the expected right shift in the wind and they will avoid the worst of the adverse current along the Vietnamese coast. ‘However, they will have to pass through an area called ‘Dangerous Ground’ with uncharted rocks and other obstacles to negotiate. It’s risk and reward but it could pay off for them.’

Latest weather forecasts suggest the strong winds forecast for tonight may only reach 25 rather than 35 knots, but with waves up to four metres Infante says the teams will still have their hands full to slow their boats down and avoid any major damage.
‘The crews start depowering the boats in 17 knots of breeze and anything more does not make them go any faster and increases the risk of damage,’ he said.

Infante also said Puma could gain from avoiding the backbreaking work of continually tacking along Vietnam’s coast which leaders Team Telefónica, second placed Groupama sailing team, third placed Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand and fourth placed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will have to endure on their way to Sanya. ‘Tonight will be an important one,’ Infante said. ‘In the morning we will start to see which side is paying.’ MORE

Posted in Article - Tagged puma ocean racing, volvo ocean race

X-Pac 8000

Thursday
Feb 02
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

MOVING PICTURES- 8000 miles Singlehanded under sail in a 30ft boat with no engine or electronics.

Posted in Moving Pictures

Plan of a Tack

Wednesday
Feb 01
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

MOVING PICTURES- PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG team navigator Tom Addis explains the strategy behind tacking and stacking. Each tack or gybe requires all gear stowed down below to be moved from side to side, or “stacked”, by Mar Mostro’s crew in order to maintain proper weight balance.

Posted in Moving Pictures - Tagged puma ocean racing, volvo ocean race

Keel Walking

Wednesday
Feb 01
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

MOVING PICTURES- 8 tonnes of carbon fibre yacht, a 255 horsepower jet ski, 45 combined years of sailing experience, and one crazy guy in a suit.

Posted in Moving Pictures - Tagged Alex Thompson, boss racing

Need a Drink

Wednesday
Feb 01
2012 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

A Word From Our Sponser - Got winter Mount Gay Rum cocktails?

Warm Rum Delight 1 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum ½ oz. Blackberry Brandy ½ oz. Simple Syrup 1 Lemon Wedge (Squeeze & Discard) Dash of Nutmeg 5 oz. Hot Water
Directions: Heat all ingredients. Pour into glass and stir.
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Glass: Coffee Mug(glass stemmed)

Posted in Article - Tagged mount gay rum

Untitled

Volvo Race At a Glance

Puma Sets 24 Hour Record

Good Morning Vietnam

Buckley Systems damaged

Americas Cup on ESPN Classic

The New Science of Sail Trim

America’s Cup 1987, 25th Anniversary

13 Key Seamanship Skills

Know The Rules – The Answer

Know The Rules – The Question

Maserati Is On the Way

Headwinds and the Roaring 40s

Offshore Championship

From Our Free Classifieds

Will Puma’s Move Pay Off?

X-Pac 8000

Plan of a Tack

Keel Walking

Need a Drink

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Enter the Border Run

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Enter the Border Run

XS Chat

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