News

by Richard Crockett From the results sheet it appears that our RSA contingent had what can be described as an ‘iffy’ day, but of the 3 races sailed, the results of only 2 are currently available. The fleet is split into two groups, and of the four group races scheduled, only three were completed in an unstable and shifty easterly breeze. It was a generally cloudy day with onshore winds that proved to be surprisingly shifty and unstable. It was …

More than 300 Finn Masters, friends and supporters at the 2019 Finn World Masters have sent an open letter to the President of World Sailing, Kim Andersen, to express their concern about the decision to drop the Finn from the 2024 Olympic programme. The Finn World Masters, which has attracted 262 entries from 28 nations, was opened last night (Sunday) in Skovshoved, Denmark, and is being organised by Mr Andersen’s own club, the Royal Danish Yacht Club. The letter reads: …

Denmark is the host country for the 49th Finn World Masters, which start today at Skovshoved, just north of Copenhagen. Almost 270 Finn Masters have registered to take part in what will be the first ever Finn World Masters in Denmark. Organised by the Royal Danish Yacht Club, it will be the largest ever Finn World Masters in northern Europe. Finn sailors from 28 countries are taking part, with the largest numbers coming from Germany – more than twice the …

by Richard Crockett Our local boating industry has tended in the past to hide its talent, and in fact be very backward in coming forward and promoting itself. But in recent years there have been serious attempts to change this, and these are now beginning to bear fruit. The South African Boatbuilding Export Council (SABBEX) and Boating South Africa are slowly, but surely, creating top of the mind awareness for our boating industry, both locally and internationally thanks to Bruce …

The Lipton Challenge Cup, presented in 1909 by Sir Thomas Lipton, is the only national inter-club sailing competition in South Africa – and it’s a highly sought after trophy to win. The official challenger this year is the Royal Natal Yacht Club, naming Mark Sadler as skipper. The defending Club, the Royal Cape Yacht Club rose to the challenge, and after a tough seven-race series to select their ‘defender’, their sailing team will be headed by Gerry Hegie and double …

FLIR Systems has announced Raymarine Element™ S, a new series of navigation displays for cruisers and sailors. Building on the success of FLIR’s Raymarine Element HV Series with HyperVision™ sonar, the Element S models feature a superior all-weather display, best-in-class speed, and straightforward operation, while delivering confidence-inspiring GPS navigation to captains who don’t want or need the capability or extra expense of sophisticated sonar. Element S is available in 7-, 9-, and 12-inch display models, all of which feature bright, …

The Yacht Racing Forum is delighted to announce an extension of its partnership with The Ocean Race for three more years. The leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing will next take place in Bilbao, Spain, on November 25-26. The Yacht Racing Forum and The Ocean Race have announced their partnership, first initiated in 2015, will continue through the next edition of the race, in 2021-22. “The Yacht Racing Forum has established itself as an important …

by Brian Hancock A sailing icon has died. Lowell North, founder of North Sails, passed away peacefully on Sunday night and will be remembered as one of the greatest sailors ever, not only because of the company that bears his name, but also in his own right collecting victories out on the water. Lowell was an incredibly talented and accomplished sailor. In 1945, at the age of 16, he won the Star World Championship when he crewed for his friend …

by Richard Crockett Last week I posted info about ‘Stormy’ and the fact that she is being saved from destruction by someone in the USA who is going to restore her to her former glory. There was a good response to this news and the pic I posted of her. Just by change I happened to come across some of the first words ever written about this highly successful ocean racer. Enjoy them, as here they are … .

A few days ago I posted some info and pics of Sprogs from Chris Grylls – and this solicited some great response from followers, and a pic by Jane Hudson of she and Dave rigging a Sprog in Sedgefield in 1969. Jane said: “Here’s one for the books – Sedgefield 1969 with David Hudson.” Dave Hudson responded with this: “David Hudson I don’t know the number. I think this boat belonged to Acland Bertie. He had started building MSM Sprogs …

by Richard Crockett The very first Cape to Rio Race in 1971 attracted worldwide interest, and entries too, with a fine array of yachts in the 69 boat fleet. In those days van de Stadt designs were very popular, with many featuring on our local racing circuit, and the fleet saw many E G van de Stadt designs competing. First and third overall we van de Stadt designs, being ‘Albatross II’ and ‘Stormy’. ‘Stormy’ was skippered by Cornelis ‘Kees’ Bruynzeel, …

In August last year I published some info and pics under the heading “Sprog Memories’. (READ IT HERE) Just recently Chris Grylls, now living in the Hamble, sent me the following info and pics. He writes that: The original Sprog 2 was ‘Smiler’ also owned by Peter Senn. ‘Sensation’ was built for Peter Senn by Beehive Builders in Port Elizabeth. They built many Sprogs, and later Wingers, amongst some other dinghies. She originally had an all-varnished hull with a pale …

The online, curriculum-based modules give children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the thrilling round the world ocean race, learn about how ocean plastic pollution is damaging our blue planet – and how they can be part of the solution. The Ocean Race Learning Programme provides stimulating resources to give schoolchildren aged 6-12 years of age, a unique insight into the problems and positive, practical solutions to combat the ocean plastic crisis. Building on the programme from the previous edition …

With the intention of creating greater onboard convenience and a more natural sailing environment, Fountaine-Pajot will assist in the installation, trials and demonstration of Volvo Penta’s pioneering electromobility technology. Volvo Penta has announced that it is to collaborate with leading French boat builder Fountaine-Pajot as it prepares to demonstrate its latest prototype electromobility technology. The initiative is part of Volvo Penta’s commitment to offer electrified solutions in its marine and industrial product ranges. This is being driven by Volvo Penta’s …

By Katie Falkingham/BBC Sport “I am a strong person, I’m pretty tough stuff.” You have to be, when you’re planning on racing non-stop around the world, on your own, in a 60ft yacht. At face value, the Vendee Globe is a remarkable challenge. But for British four-time Paralympic sailor Hannah Stodel, it is a different beast entirely. Born without her lower right arm, starting next year’s race would be Stodel’s greatest achievement – the “icing on the cake”, as she …