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New LightHouse Annapolis 3.9 operating system unlocks exciting new features and functionality for Raymarine MFDs Home to thousands of boaters, steeped in rich maritime tradition and a magnet for generations of sailors, powerboaters and fishermen, the coastal city of Annapolis is the inspiration behind the name of Raymarine’s latest LightHouse operating system update. Beginning with LightHouse 3.9, Raymarine is adopting alphabetical names for LightHouse OS updates that pay homage to the great boating destinations of the world. Whether you sail, …

The Ocean Race will partner with pure water provider Bluewater in a bid to reduce global reliance on single-use plastics. The collaboration builds upon the partnership during the past edition of the race to highlight the broad range of impacts plastic are having on ocean health and biodiversity. The new programme of work, with the official drinking water provider of The Ocean Race, will also explore ways education and science can help advance our understanding of the long-term effects of …

Two times Volvo Ocean Race navigator Libby Greenhalgh admits she is still in consolidation mode, looking for projects, after a mentally tough race on Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag. She joined the team in Melbourne as a replacement, stepping on board for Leg 4 which they went on to win. She admits she struggles daily trying to come to terms with the loss of John Fisher just over one year ago, but she is quietly determined to move her career on …

by Richard Crockett When people like Sir Robin Knox-Johnston publish a report on the lessons learned from sailing small yachts in extreme conditions, including the 5 dismastings suffered during the 2018 GGR, we should ALL sit up and take note. Sadly too few people could be bothered to read, let alone study a report of this nature as too often the attitude is “I know it all anyway”; “It will NEVER happen to me” – and so much more. People …

Exactly 50 years to the day that Sir Robin Knox-Johnston returned to Falmouth UK after 312 days at sea to become the first man to sail solo non-stop around the Globe, 73-year old Frenchman Jean-Luc Van Den Heede was crowned winner of the second Golden Globe Race in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. And all but two of Van Den Heede’s rivals made the pilgrimage to the Race finish port to applaud his performance in besting Sir Robin’s original circumnavigation by …

by Malcolm Osborne George Lakes Yacht Club hosted the annual Eden District Inter Schools Regatta this year. Entries were received from eight High Schools and seven Primary Schools from Mossel Bay, Knysna and George. The fleet sailing in the High Schools division had 29 boats and the Primary Schools division had 20 boats. On Saturday, a moderate south-easter was blowing, providing excellent sailing conditions for the more experienced, but the novices in both fleets found the going difficult and had …

The Ocean Race and 11th Hour Racing have forged an historic partnership that brings sustainability initiatives to the heart of the race. The Ocean Race is building on its position as the sustainability leader in global sport by announcing a visionary partnership with 11th Hour Racing — the largest of its kind in sport. The legendary round-the-world sailing event and its premier partner will focus on a broad range of initiatives to promote the restoration of ocean health, embedding sustainability …

For the rest of April, Sunsail will be offering discounts of up to 15% on prime destinations in the Mediterranean and the Seychelles! Discover the beautiful bays of Southern Europe along the life-rich Mediterranean this summer as you sail the seas of legends. Alternatively, you can opt for a true island getaway to the Seychelles and spend your days swimming in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Specials are on offer for Bareboat and Flotilla options and valid until …

by JC Knobel With Easter now here the H23 class members are looking forward to relaxing with family and friends while competing in the biannual Holiday 23 Worlds which take place in the surroundings of St Helena Bay, and which are hosted by Port Owen Yacht Club – home of the Holiday 23 Worlds. And with Charlie’s Brewery on board as sponsor it should ‘froth’ with excitement and close contests. The programme will consist of a welcome braai on Thursday …

by Kirsten Veenstra & Luke Scott Hout Bay Yacht Club’s 2019 Admiral’s Regatta, now in its 29th year, was held from 12-14 April and was the host for the inaugural 2019 South African ORC National Championships, two other keelboat classes, and the only offshore open class dinghy regatta in the Cape Town Sailing Calendar. The story behind the name of the regatta is rather interesting: when the Round Table organisation of Hout Bay decided on a major fundraiser in 1986 …

After his incredible victory in the 2018 Route du Rhum, this year, Francis Joyon will be tackling some very different challenges, most of which are brand new. After a tour in the Mediterranean in the spring, he will begin his 2019-2020 IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR with a programme including two famous records (The Mauritius record between Port-Louis in Brittany and Mauritius and the Clipper Route between Hong Kong and London), as well as four new courses in the China Sea …

This event is no doubt teaching the two South African teams that Match Racing is a very tough part of the sport, especially if not participating in this format of racing on a regular basis. Our two teams did not acquit themselves particularly well on day two, with Dominique Provoyeur coming away with a total of 3 wins after two days, and Dave Rae just two wins in two days. Maxime Mesnil (FRA) dominated the Open Division during the second …

by Richard Crockett Match Racing is tough for the very simple reason the it’s close, it’s intense and it’s unforgiving with literally a second or two separating the two teams at the finish of their duel. Ask Bruce Savage and his South African team who won a semi-final decider by just 2 seconds – and that was sufficient to take them to the final and ultimately win the Nations Cup in 1995. Yesterday, Day 1 of this event was not …

by Richard Crockett South Africa has a proud record in the World Sailing Nations Cup match racing event as Bruce Savage, Ian Ainslie, Clynton Wade-Lehman and Mark Lagesse won the 1995 event when sailed in San Francisco 24 years ago. Also sailing that year was Sigi Von Bredow in the women’s event. This year the event is back in San Fran – and South Africa again has teams in both the men’s and women’s events, with Dominique Provoyeur heading the …

  In late March the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) announced that it was breaking ties with its largest builder. This announcement came as a shock to many as there are just 3 licenced builders in the world. Many questions have been asked as Laser owners are concerned as to whether their boats will continue to be legal, and indeed what the future holds for the class as a whole. The ILCA has provided a list of answers that seek …