Written by COOL BOAT DESIGNS - Question – how do you turn a 27-foot sailboat? Answer – very carefully. Watch how the team at Lyman Morse Boatbuilders roll the 27-foot SpeedDream prototype. It’s easy when the hull only weighs 400 lbs. Should be sailing soon! XS will be watching!
Monthly archives for July, 2012
Hope For The Warriors
SINGLE HANDED SAILING – Here’s a video of Ronnie Simpson on the Moore 24 “Hope for the Warriors” aka “US 101″ competing in the 2012 Singlehanded Transpac. Powered by Quantum Sails and West Marine Rigging, she sailed to Kauai in 14 days and 12 hours to win her class. Ronnie is sailing on behalf of wounded-veteran non-profit “Hope for the Warriors” to raise money and awareness for teaching wounded-veterans to sail. Go to:
Hogh-Christensen Leads Finn Standings
OLYMPIC SAILING UPDATE - Three-time gold medallist Ben Ainslie finished behind Hogh-Christensen for a fifth time in the event despite the Great British sailor being the over-riding favourite to top the podium on home waters.
Ainslie moves up to second but lies nine points shy of Hogh-Christensen – who has won three races -in the overall standings after both their worst results are discarded.
Fellow British sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson continued their fine form in the Star class by winning race five at a canter, with rivals Brazil following them home 50 seconds later.
Ireland’s Annalise Murphy won the first Laser Radial of the day, the third she has won in succession.
Australia’s Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen continue to lead the 49er class after finishing second to New Zealand in the first race and fourth in the second, having capsized when leading.
Meanwhile, the RS:X class began today and the Netherlands’ Dorian van Rijsselberge won both races.
To follow ALL the action CLICK HERE
You’re Invited
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – For those of you in the So Ca area check you may want to check out the BAJA HA-HA and Latitude 38 founder, Richard Spindler, speak at Cal Yacht Club on Friday August 3rd. Good times to be had for sure! Check it out and make reservations by emailing: [email protected]
New Zealand AC70 Sails!
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MOVING PICTURES – Video footage brought to you by crew.org.nz of EMTNZ AC72 under tow down the Auckland harbour heading out to the Hauraki gulf.
Flavio Favini Speaks
MOVING PICTURES – Interview with Melges 24 Champion Blu Moon helmsman, Flavio Favini.
Lexus Joins America’s Cup
AMERICAS CUP – Dedicated to developing and improving cutting-edge hybrid technology, Lexus joins the America’s Cup as Official Vehicle and Sustainability Partner.
As Official Vehicle of the 34th America’s Cup, Lexus is providing a fleet of vehicles for use at AC World Series events, as well as in San Francisco in 2013 during the Louis Vuitton Cup (America’s Cup Challenger Series) and America’s Cup Finals.
“The America’s Cup is a showcase for innovation, technology and design excellence,” said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the 34th America’s Cup. “It’s a sport where designers and engineers are pushed to create the fastest boat, which allows the best sailors in the world to prove their skills. With Lexus on board, we feel a synergy in this tradition of design, technology and excellence.”
By providing a fleet of energy-efficient vehicles for the competition, Lexus illustrates its shared commitment to the America’s Cup environmental goals. Offering 63 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles and more power, the full line of Lexus hybrids are the most advanced vehicles on the road today. Lexus offers more hybrid cars and SUVs than any other luxury automaker, and is dedicated to providing innovative hybrid technology without sacrificing luxury and performance.
“Lexus and the America’s Cup share a similar audience, and partnering with this performance-driven sporting event offers us an exciting way to connect with our fans,” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice-president of marketing. “We look forward to introducing our line of hybrid vehicles to a new audience during the most prestigious sailing competition in the world.”
Lexus joined the America’s Cup in Newport, R.I. for the final event of the 2011-12 AC World Series, providing a transportation fleet as well as vehicle displays. Lexus will continue to have a significant presence at all future 34th America’s Cup events, including the opening event of the 2012-2013 AC World Series in San Francisco from August 21-26, 2012.
2012 Melges 24 World Championship
MELGES 24 – On two race courses, one in front of Torbole and one further south, located just north of Limone, the Melges 24 World Championship came under starters orders with the evergreen Melges 24s divided into four groups, identified by four colors.
More than 125 crews, from 22 nations, were in the water waiting for the much-anticipated start. During the first two races on the north course the orange group sailed against the blue group, while on the south the challenge was between the white and black groups.
At the conclusion of racing, Italy’s Andrea Racchelli sailing Altea, with a second and a sixth, claims the top of the ranking while many of the favorites going into the day are trailing down in double digit position.
Conditions were extremely tough for all with many general recalls. Having been out of the Melges 24 fleet for some time Germany’s Markus Wieser on AEZ, along with tactician Pascal Rambeau, proved that he certainly hasn’t lost his touch in the class and thanks to a first and an eighth, is now lying second in the overall ranking by just one point. Outsider Tommaso del Rio’s Maitech, put in two excellent performances of second and eighth to finish the day in third overall four points behind the leader. A most impressive achievement. Japan’s Kan Yamamada, sailing Kanta-Ro Racing, is on equal points with Del Rio and lies fourth on countback. The top ten is completed by Norway’s Kristoffer Spone, International Class Chairman Riccardo Simoneschi, Bora Gulari from the USA, Estonia’s Peter Saraskin and a pair of Italiens, Carlo Fracassoli and Lorenzo Gemini.
Lorenzo Gemini’s Sardinian team aboard SIV Arborea also hold the overall lead in the Corinthian ranking, just one point ahead of Marco Cavallini sailing Jeco Team with a family crew that includes Marco’s father Gianni and brother Paolo, who lie fourteenth in the overall standings. Third Corinthian place is currently in the hands of Finland’s Matias Sappovaara aboard Marquis de Conquistador, followed by Italy’s Alessio Marinelli on Pensavo Peggio.
Tomorrow at least two more races are planned with race courses and groups reversed. Weather permitting the qualification series will conclude on Wednesday and with the introduction of the discard the fleet will be divided in Gold and Silver fleets.
Events like the 2012 Melges 24 World Championship are not possible without the most generous support of the event sponsors led by the Municipality of Comune di Nago Torbole and including the Regional Authority of Trentino; TrentoDoc, partner of Circolo Vela Torbole whose excellent selection of sparkling wines will be enjoyed by all; Trentingrana, whose cheese is made using milk exclusively from the Trentino area; InGarda, the touristic company supporting visitors to Lark Garda; and technical sailing clothing supplier Marinepool.
Organised by Circolo Vela Torbole in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association, the 2012 Melges 24 World Championship will count a maximum of twelve races, with up to three daily races. Five races are required to made the event valid, although the famous weather conditions, typical of the northern Garda, should make this rule unnecessary. MORE STORY
Season 2 to begin in San Francisco
AMERICAS CUP – The second season of the AC45 World Series (2012/2013) will take place in less than a month from now from the 21st to 26th August in San Francisco. The crew of Energy Team will be lining up to confirm the excellent results they obtained in the 2011-2012 season. There is a modification to the format of the events, which will now be identical at each leg… and each race will count more than last year.
A new season and a new challenge for Energy Team. Third in the 2011/2012 fleet racing championship, the team managed by Bruno and Loïck Peyron will have to confirm the improvements they have been making next month at the start of the second season of the AC45 World Series, which is set to begin in San Francisco on 21st August: for the first time, the teams will be sailing on the waters for the 34thAmerica’s Cup, and the French team will have to get to grips with these conditions.
After a variety of formulae were tried out in the first season, the format of the events has been modified. Iain Murray, the Australian Racer Director has just officially confirmed that. There are at least two major changes to consider. Firstly, unlike last year, the format will stay the same at every leg: five days of racing finishing with the big final on Super Sunday. Secondly, the races raced before the big final will have a higher weighting in the overall rankings. “In short, the impact of each race in the fleet racing and match racing has been increased in the season’s overall rankings”, explained Iain Murray.
A bonus for consistency
At each leg, racing will begin on Wednesday afternoon with the match racing. Over the following three days up until Saturday, two fleet races will be run with points counting towards qualification for the match race semi-finals. On the closing day, Super Sunday, the top four teams in the match racing overall rankings will meet in the semi-finals and the winners will face each other in the final big duel. Finally, all the teams will compete in the final race in the Fleet Race championship. Just one small adjustment has been made to this schedule, which will reward consistency: for the first event in San Francisco, the semi-final and the final of the match racing (which will usually take place on the Sunday) will be raced on Saturday afternoon, in order to make the most of the best weather conditions, as if racing began too early on Sunday, there would be the risk that the match racing would take place in light and variable conditions, before the sea breezes had time to develop. We should add that racing will be shown on TV from Friday through Sunday, with the highlights of Thursday’s racing also being shown.
So from now on, they are going to have to show what they can do from the outset on Wednesday and then remain consistent all the way through. Energy Team knows how to do that: if this rule had been applied last season, their position in the rankings would have been even better. So in other words, this is all very good news!
Around Long Island
RACING NEWS – The 36th Annual Around Long Island Regatta’s 190-mile course combines ocean and coastal-water racing. This years first boat to finish was the Roland 36 Cat 2 of 10 sailed by Skipper Edward Terchunianand crew James Fink, Scott Klodowski and Tim Layne. Their elapsed time was 22:59:14.
Fun on the Water
HOME MOVIES – OK its not sailing but there are times that you just want to go and play on the water.
Kite Slalom Europeans 2012: Day 4
MOVING PICTURES – The last day of the Kite Slalom Europeans had it all. Nice shows and strong breeze. Giovanelli and Maria Piscoto are the 2012 European Champions. See the full action here!
‘Argo’ Wins Second Consecutive Melges 32 U.S. National Championship
MELGES 32 – Congratulations to 2012 Melges 32 U.S. National Champion Jason Carroll (New York, NY) and the Argo Team comprised of tactician Cameron Appleton and crew members Peter Crawford, Scott Norris, Andy Koch, Charles Swanson and Lindsay Bartel. With this win, Carroll becomes the first owner to hold the coveted U.S. National Championship title for a second consecutive time. “This was not easy. It was light and the conditions were tricky. Cameron was scratching his head all three days,” Carroll commented just before the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon. “It was not until the very last race, that we finally got ahead.”
“We are very happy to be in Newport now and will be doing a lot of sailing here in August, especially with Pre-Worlds and Worlds coming up in September,” says Carroll. “We have a lot of people on the boat that know the area and the waters well, so with this we feel pretty good. Now, we just have to keep our nose to the grindstone, continue to work very hard and hopefully, we can come up with a nice result at Worlds.”
Despite the light air conditions and overcast skies, it was an exciting day of yacht racing in Newport. The day commenced with second-runner up Ryan DeVos (Macatawa Bay, MI) on Volpe leading the overalls, tied with Steve Howe (San Diego, CA) on Warpath in points. Carroll was seated third just a shy three points behind.
Spectators were firmly poised on the edge of their seats for the last two races of the eight-part series. Carroll came on strong early, taking the lead at the top mark chased by John Kilroy’s (Los Angeles, CA) Samba Pa Ti. Kilroy remained strong overtaking the lead position about a hundred yards from the finish line. Carroll slipped to finish second, Pieter Taselaar (Scarsdale, NY) on Bliksem came third, Lanfranco Cirillo’s (Roncadelle, Brescia, Italy) Fantastica was fourth, while DeVos remained close finishing fifth.
Going into the final race, teams were on edge. At this stage, DeVos was still leading the event yet tied in points with Carroll in second, Howe third. The first start resulted in a general recall, with PRO Bruce Golison announcing an I-Flag start for the next warning. Alec Cutler’s (Pembroke, Bermuda) Hedgehog battled into the mark, fighting off Mark Plaxton’s (Tortola, BVI) INTAC and Phil Lotz’s (Newport, RI) Arethusa. As the race progressed, Plaxton eventually took the lead with Cutler following. At the final weather mark, with an awesome F-16 fighter jet giving the fleet a little fly-by action (afterburners and all), INTAC proceeded to extend their lead for the win, leaving Cutler in second. Taselaar pulled up to finish third just ahead of Carroll in fourth. DeVos finished tenth, while Howe scored a disappointing eighteenth.
Gunboat 62 Zenyatta
FROM OUR READERS – A perfect day of sailing on charter. Top speed was 23.9. For information on the boat CLICK HERE
Happy Hour Friday
MOUNT GAY RUM – Who’s ready for a Mount Gay Golden Mojito as we kick off the 2013 Summer Olympics to see who really brings home the gold! Try this: 1½ oz. Mount Gay Rum, 8-10 fresh mint leaves, Juice of half a lime, 1 teaspoon superfine sugar, Ginger Ale Directions: Crush/muddle mint leaves, lime quarters and sugar in a tall glass. Add Brugal rum and fill glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, and stir well. Enjoy!
American Youth Sailing Force
REDBULL SAILING – The American Youth Sailing Force was formed first and foremost with the goal of representing the United States in the RedBull Youth America’s Cup. The AYSF team represents the highest level of youth sailing in America and aims to prove that with steady determination, hard work and passion young American sailors can be a leading force on the international sailing circuit.
“We intend to utilize the opportunity created by RedBull as a path for the next generation of young American sailors who want to compete in elite sailing events, and to inspire youth sailors across the nation to challenge themselves by setting and attaining ambitious goals. We are the future of sailing, and intend to prove that we are world-class sailors with real dedication and determination.”
The Boss Smashes Record!
SINGLE HANDED SAILING – British solo sailor, Alex Thomson has smashed the single-handed monohull transatlantic record, by more than 24 hours, crossing the finish line at Lizard Point, off Falmouth in Cornwall, in time to get back for the London Olympic Opening ceremony.
The 38 year old sailor crossed the line at 17:17GMT (18:17 BST) setting the new time at 8 days 22 hours 8 minutes, beating the previous record, subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, which had been held for 10 years.
“It has been a long few days,” said Alex. “The first half from New York was great with weather conditions in our favour, but things started to slow down the closer I got. But the wind has held out this morning and it’s so fantastic to have broken this record.”
Alex set sail from New York on July 17th at 19.09GMT to cover 2800 nautical miles in a quest to break the record for what is officially known as the ‘West to East Ambrose Lighthouse to Lizard Point Under 60ft Single-Handed Monohull Record, Male’, which sat at 10 days, 55 minutes and 19 seconds, and was set by Swiss sailor Bernhard Stamm 10 years ago.
His secondary aim was to get home in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in order to support Chairman and good friend, Sir Keith Mills.
“When I set off I had no idea if I was going to be able to do it. And it has been hard. Lack of sleep, broken instruments on the boat and constant exposure to the elements has really taken it out of me. But it’s such a good feeling to have beaten it by such a great margin,” said Alex.
But the record breaking achievement is only half of the story. Alex is in fact lining up to attempt to be the first Brit ever to win the gruelling single-handed round-the-world race, the Vendee Globe, leaving from France in November on board his 60ft monohull, HUGO BOSS. And this record breaking achievement puts him in good stead.
“This record attempt was also a training exercise for the Vendee Globe,” said Alex. “We felt this record attempt would put me under real pressure and stimulate race conditions and I have felt a real value in it.”
He is one of three British competitors who will take part in the non-stop, solo, unassisted round-the-world yacht race starting in Les Sables d’Olonne in France, on November 10th. Currently only 50% of attempts to complete the race have been successful in the race known as the ‘Everest of sailing’.
Lara Ellsworth-Jones, PR Manager, Alex Thomson Racing
Images – 30 photos – http://bit.ly/wyG3ab
Images by Christophe Launay at http://www.sealaunay.com/
Match Racing in Newport
GOVERNOR’S CUP - Last week the 2012 Governor’s Cup marked the 46th year of international junior match racing championships for California. Now hosted at the Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, 12 teams under the age of 21 from around the world were there to step onto the path to the America’s Cup. Check out the highlights and final race in the video above.
2012 British Sailing Team – London 2012
OLYMPIC UPDATE – Here is a great video on the 2012 British Sailing Team getting ready for the 2012 Olympics in London. They are out to win some gold!
Onboard the Maxi Cat Swift
MOVING PICTURES – Yachting World footage from onboard the 110ft catamaran — born as Orange, she became Kingfisher, Innovation Explorer and Gitana 13, before being converted to the cruising cat Swift.
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