News

The revolutionary full foiling monohull AC75 Luna Rossa, which will represent Italy and the Circolo della Vela Sicilia in the America’s Cup, the oldest and most prestigious trophy in sailing, was launched in Cagliari yesterday. Following a blessing from His Excellency Monsignor Arrigo Miglio, Archbishop of Cagliari, Miuccia Prada, standing alongside her husband Patrizio Bertelli (President of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team), Agostino Randazzo (President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia) and Marco Tronchetti Provera (CEO of Pirelli, the co-title …

by Richard Crockett I have been frantically scanning away as I realised that I have so far scanned little from the latter part of the year – so here goes. Corsair II. 1967. Stan Jeffrey took his trusty steed on a three-and-a-half year cruise, and docked in Durban on her final leg towards Cape Town. Jeffrey became a highly respected sailing administrator within the Cruising Association of South Africa (CASA). The Stan Jeffrey trophy for outstanding administration within the sport …

Richard Crockett Upfront – apologies for the break in transmission yesterday, but Eskom was doing routine maintenance for the day in our area yesterday. We were informed that ‘the juice’ would be off from 08h00 until 16h00 – and it was – all very efficient by Eskom. So as a bonus I will include a cutting from 1 October, and the balance for today. Enjoy looking back at the rich history our sport has in this country, and indeed the …

Campbell Alexander & Dave Herridge sailed together in the Flying 15 worlds in Ireland a few weeks back as a new combination. Alexander sails both Flying 15s and Lasers, while Herridge is a ‘lifetime’ Laser sailor and top kiteboarder. They finished 11th in the pre-worlds in a fleet of 50-plus boats and 15th in the Worlds in a fleet of 70-plus boats. Their overall position in the worlds does not tell the whole story as in several races they led …

The slow motor-sail through the Doldrums Corridor has become a thing of the past for the majority of the Clipper Race fleet. ‘Visit Sanya, China’, remains in the lead for a tenth straight day, with the team timing their exit from the Doldrums Corridor to perfection. However, ‘Qingdao’ is also making good progress south and Skipper Chris Brooks says: “Over the next 3,000 nautical miles we just have to slowly take in a mile here or there. It won’t happen …

by Richard Crockett I am busy archiving many boxes of press cuttings I have accumulated and which I guestimate run into tens of thousands! A daunting task which I believe to be necessary before ditching them as I have been concerned for many years about the lack of interest Clubs, Classes and other sailing related organisations give to preserving their history. This is my personal crusade, and instead of simply archiving and keeping the contents away from prying eyes, I …

The much-anticipated launch of the first two AC75 foiling monohull yachts from the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand and USA Challenger NYYC American Magic respectively did not disappoint the masses of America’s Cup fans waiting eagerly for their first glimpse of an AC75 ‘in the flesh’. Emirates Team New Zealand were the first to officially reveal their boat at an early morning naming ceremony on September 6. Resplendent in the team’s familiar red, black and grey livery, the Kiwi AC75 …

by Richard Crockett I have always found this to be a very difficult race to follow and cover as news is sporadic, and actions pics few and far between, and pics of life aboard – well … ! So today here, first hand, is what life is like aboard Zhuhai, skippered by South African Nick Leggatt. Leggatt posted the following extract yesterday: “Is this as hot as it’s going to get?”, one of the team asked me today. It certainly …

The new ‘Hugo Boss’ yacht, set to be raced by British sailor Alex Thomson, was launched on Friday at an official christening ceremony on The River Thames in London. Built with a focus on improved sustainability, innovation, and design prowess, the new yacht sailed publicly today in front of London’s iconic Tower Bridge, before being officially christened by model and actor Poppy Delevingne in front of special guests in attendance. The IMOCA 60 yacht was designed and built in a …

The start of the first leg of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère has been postponed due to the weather conditions expected in the Bay of Biscay. Initially scheduled for Sunday 22 September, the start of the 22nd edition of the race has been postponed until a later date. The reasons for this are boisterous wind conditions and sea state forecast in the Bay of Biscay and offshore of Cape Finisterre. However, Sunday’s festivities in La Rochelle will continue, with the 87 …

On Sunday 22 September, at 14h15, the 87 entries in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère will set sail from La Rochelle on the first leg to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This long course of 4 050 nautical miles, singlehanded and on the smallest ocean racing boats which are only 6.50m long, will be raced in two stages. The first is from La Rochelle to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria located in the Canary Islands archipelago – a distance of 1350 …

“Te Aihe” has been on the water sailing – much to the relief of everyone, including the New Zealand Nation. Here’s a great report on their first sail, so read about it HERE  

The world’s largest racing maxi trimaran has spent the past few months being further optimised, as well as being fitted with new load bearing rudder plates, following the structural failure of the starboard rudder plate during the Jules Verne Trophy record attempt last winter. The whole team was onsite at the Multiplast boatyard in Vannes to help with the launch operation as this required careful attention down to the smallest detail, as the 40m trimaran was gently lifted into the …

by Richard Crockett Technology is moving at such a rapid pace in our industry that it’s often difficult keeping up, or simply thinking about where it will go next. So when information came to hand from Vesper Marine about their new VHF Radio – it struck me that VHF technology has not changed dramatically for some time. I am cautious with that statement as of course technology has changed and improved – although this may be the biggest leap yet! …

Les Sables d’Olonne, which will be the host start and finish port again in 2022. The success of the first can now be measured in terms of publicity as it gained 2 years of international publicity valued at 16.5m Euros, and Falmouth, which hosted the pre-Race Suhaili 50 Parade of Sail, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s departure in the original 1986 Sunday Times Golden Globe, and the start of the SITraN Challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne, …