News

This is a must attend event for media representatives, yacht racing photographers, cameramen and TV production companies from all over the world: • The annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing. • The place where you will meet your future clients and partners. • The time in the year when the present and future of the sport gets debated by its key personalities. • Award ceremonies for the best sailing photographer and sailing video production. The two-day …

As race leader Jean-Luc Van Den Heede closes on a very stormy Cape of Good Hope, Race organisers posted two navigation warnings to the fleet on Sunday, and have now raised the southern limit to 42°S from Longitude 40°E to keep the fleet clear of the worst conditions in the South Indian Ocean. Don McIntyre, the Race Chairman explains: “This is early Spring in the Southern Ocean and the fleet will be 2-weeks or more ahead of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston …

By Roy Dunster As you’re aware, the class for future Lipton Cup regattas is up for review and, of course, there’s a debate about whether the L26 should be dropped / what the new class should be. It’s worth reviewing some facts about the Cup. 1. In 2016 at RCYC, there were 15 boats with 4 of those from out of Cape Town (RNYC, LDYC, KYC and PNYC). RCYC won every race with HBYC 2nd in 3 out of 4 …

Let us enlighten you about LED lighting! Potential interference of VHF-FM Radio and AIS Reception. The U.S. Coast Guard has received reports from crews, ship owners, inspectors and other mariners regarding poor reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS) when in the vicinity of light emitting diode (LED) lighting on-board ships (e.g., navigation lights, searchlights and floodlights, interior and exterior lights, adornment). All boat owners using VHF marine radio and AIS …

By Richard Crockett That headline is a question the hierarchy of SAS should be asking every time they make decisions about the sport – as it is the single most asked question of all yachties in this country. For those ‘doubters’ out there, SAS does in fact do things for it’s members, often things that are not really visible, but which need to be done to maintain the sport on an even keel. Now here is something that SAS is …

SAILING has a massive library of books for sale – with the oldest dating way back to 1863 (yes, 1863!) – covering almost every single conceivable subject on the sport from anchoring to yarns. Authors include Bernard Moitessier; Uffa Fox, Sir Francis Chichester; Erick Hiscock and many, many more. If you are interested in buying some books, please send an email to: sailing@iafrica.com – and you will be sent the full list as an Excel file.

by Richard Crockett The well-being and future of this unique inter-club challenge now lies in the hands of Clubs to decide it’s future. All those with a say in this matter have a huge responsibility – so please consider ALL the alternatives very carefully before casting your vote. The full letter from the Lipton Trustees to the Clubs is included in this post as it contains a lot of background and additional information. It is a ‘MUST READ” and can …

Over the weekend, French yachtsman Philippe Péché fashioned a repair to the aluminium tiller on his Rustler 36 PRB, but without self steering, has decided to head to Cape Town under reduced sail. This morning, the 57-year old professional from La Trinité Sur Mer, who had led the Golden Globe Race almost continuously since the start from Les Sables d’Olonne on 1 July, was making 2.9 knots in 25 knot headwinds and expecting to take 13 to 17 days to …

The story of Dongfeng Race Team’s triumph in the Volvo Ocean Race. Think you know what it takes to win the Volvo Ocean Race? Think again. Check this out – the full story of how Dongfeng Race Team conquered the unofficial world championship of fully-crewed offshore ocean racing… VIEW THE VIDEO HERE

The year 2018 is a very special and important date for Poland. One hundred years ago in November 1918, after 123 years of foreign rule, captivity and oppression, Poland regained its independence. As part of the centenary celebrations of Polish independence, the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of the Republic of Poland and Gdynia Maritime Academy initiated the organization of an Independence Sail. “Tell the world how beautiful Poland is” – the minister of Maritime Economy and Inland …

Philippe Péché made an emergency call to the Golden Globe Race HQ to report that the tiller on his Rustler 36 yacht PRB had broken in 45 – 50 knot winds and he had no steering. The Frenchman, who was lying in second place, reported that he had dropped all sail and was leaving the yacht to drift until the winds abate before assessing his options. He told race organisers last night that the spare parts he carried for the …

by Richard Crockett It’s not often one can refer to someone as a ‘legend’, but Bruce Mc was simply that and I am very privileged to have known and worked with him. He was a very fine sailor, but modest, humble and liked by everyone. I am not going to write much more than this about him as his nephew Steve McCurrach has supplied some good insights into this legend. I am indeed honoured that several years ago Bruce sent …

By Richard Crockett In archiving 2 very large boxes of material I have on the original Voortrekker from dream to conception, I came across reference to it being named ‘JAG Voortrekker’ for the 1969 European season. I have so far come across no further reference to that name, other than in the crew selection correspondence. David Abromowitz was one of the crew, and he too cannot shed any light on this reference! He can however remember doing Cowes Week, The …

By Richard Crockett Only a handful of Finn sailors managed anything approaching consistency yesterday on the fifth day of the 2018 Finn Gold Cup at the Hempel Sailing World Championships 2018 in Aarhus, Denmark. Scoring a second from last and then a second place, European champion Ed Wright took a seven-point lead at the top after two more races on Tuesday. With racing lost on Monday, three races were scheduled for Tuesday, however delay followed delay as the day got …

This week should determine who leads the Golden Globe Race. Forget the computer standings. As this fleet of singlehanders bash their way through the South East Trade winds towards the Roaring Forty latitudes of the South Atlantic, all eyes are on the South Atlantic High pressure system and the effect this will have on the leaders. Dutchman Mark Slats sailing the Rustler 36 Ohpen Maverick may be back in 11th on the leader board, but is the furthest south on …