Monthly archives for October, 2011
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Race Before the Race
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The Iberdrola Alicante In-Port Race, a close-quarters sprint around a short course that took place this past Saturday, October 29, marks the start of the 2011-12 edition of one of the world’s toughest and longest professional yacht races – the Volvo Ocean Race.
A Deeper View of Sailrocket
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Here’s a great little piece on the Vesta Sailrocket (first version) that explores the history and motivations of this concept-boat that might become the fastest sailboat on the planet.
Sizing Up the Competition
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Here’s a peek at the teams engaged in the next America’s Cup World Series in San Diego.
Velocity at the Vineyard
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As a massive storm is about to hit the Martha’s Vineyard the folks from the North American Speed Sailing Invitational get a few Interviews with the fastest sailers in the world. Can 50 knots be hit in the US and secure Martha’s Vineyard as one of the fastest places in the world?
Analyzing Speed
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SpeedDream was featured in the BBC program “The Science of Speed” along with Sailrocket and L’Hydroptere. Some of this has been posted on XS before but not in this format.
Transat Jacques Vabre Postponed for Epic Storm
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Transat Jacques Vabre Open-60 sailor Mike Golding addresses the postponement of the race because of a ‘storm of historical proportions’…
Granting an Interview
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Sailing Anarchy’s Mr. Clean sits down with Grant Dalton, the iconic kiwi sailor, to discuss Camper’s chances in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, some of the unique design features of their Volvo Open 70, and the ETNZ America’s Cup challenge.
AC Nightlife
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Promoter Adrian Goddard talks abot how the AC is going to gear up the nightlife around the San Fran Bay area…
Will The Rocket Break 55 Knots?
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Cast your vote today on our XS Poll over there on the right. Will Sail Rocket break the kite heads speed record? So far 80% of our readers say ‘yes’ she will! Do you agree? Let your voice be heard.
VOR Begins Tomorrow
At the Volvo Ocean Race, the starting gun will fire tomorrow with the Iberdrola In-Port Race — a quickfire sprint that will profide their first chance to put points on the scoreboard in the 39,000 nautical mile race around the world.
Ross and Campbell Field Take First in Leg One of Global Ocean Race
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At 05:13:25 GMT on Friday 28 October, Ross and Campbell Field took first place in Leg 1 of the double-handed, Class40 Global Ocean Race (GOR) crossing the finish line in Cape Town after 32 days 17 hours 13 minutes and 25 seconds and 7,300 miles of racing from Palma, Mallorca, on their Verdier-design Class40 BSL averaging 9.3 knots and finishing 89 miles ahead of Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron on Campagne de France. More here.
Iconic Photographs Live On
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Great documentary about the Rosenfeld Collection, acquired in 1984 by Mystic Seaport, is one of the largest archives of maritime photographs in the United States. If you’re into photography – check this out.
Regatta Beat
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Destopnews is a weekly sailing update program bringing you the latest news and action from international regattas around the world. Good stuff!
Knot Chasing
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Episode 3 takes a look at what it feels like to race above 45 mph. The wind was averaging 20 to 25 knots from the WNW at beautiful Cape Pogue Bay in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Stammtastic
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In honor of the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre, here’s a clip of Bernard Stamm doing what he do…
A Couple of Racers
Dominique Wavre and Michele Paret are calm and collected three days out from the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre. Preparations continue onboard Mirabaud, but the pace is steady, as the bulk of the work has already been done.
“We are bang on schedule,” said Dominique Wavre. “We have completed all the checks and inspections, including the security checks, and the measurers have sealed a few things that we are forbidden to touch while racing. Our provisions are onboard and while we have a few small things to pack, we are basically ready.”
The trans-Atlantic should take approximately two weeks so the yacht is in “light” mode. “We only have 200kg on board for this race, compared to 600kg for the Barcelona World Race,” explained Michele Paret. “We have the same number of sails, but a lot less spare parts, clothing and food. We will notice a distinct difference in performance.”
The race starts this coming Sunday at 13:02. Mirabaud will leave the port at precisely 10:34. The forecast for the start is relatively calm, but this will be short-lived as a sizeable low pressure is forecast for the following day. “It is a typical November North Atlantic forecast,” said Dominique. “We will have to be 100% on our game from the start, there will be no easing into this race. We will very quickly be swept up by the low pressure and dealing with high winds and big seas on the nose. I don’t think there will be decisive tactical decisions to be made early in the race. North Atlantic weather is well known and the competitors will be sailing more or less the same course.”
Leads will be established based on the boat speed of the different types of yacht, on the quality of maneuvers and the teams’ ability to perform at 100% right off the start line.
In order to be in the best possible shape for the start, Dominique and Michele are making the most of their last days ashore to rest, eat healthily and finalise the final few details. They are also running through the different phases of the race in their minds.
“Sadly, we can’t stockpile sleep,” said Dominique, laughing. “But we are making sure that we sleep properly and eat well before the start. On Saturday we will try to do as little as possible. The day will be dedicated to resting and focusing on what is to come.”
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