Antigua hosts RORC 600

Published on April 15, 2016 by admin   ·   No Comments

A record fleet of 70 yachts and over 800 sailors set sail from English Harbour, Antigua, on 22 February to compete in the eighth edition of the RORC 600, a world-class 600 mile offshore  race around 11 Caribbean Islands.

Organised by The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in association with Antigua Yacht Club, the RORC 600 has been gaining in popularity year on year and there were almost twice the number of entrants this year as last year when just 39 competed.

As its popularity grows, so does the stature of the boats.  Any yacht spotters lucky enough to be in Antigua would have had a field day with Comanche, Phaedo3 and Concise 10, amongst others, competing.  There was also a touch of the Pirates of the Caribbean when 65 metre three-masted schooner Adix sailed out of English Harbour looking for all the world as if she was skippered by Captain Jack Sparrow himself.

As well as the rich and the famous there were a few local sailors involved including Antiguan dentist Bernie Evan Wong who was competing in his Reichel-Pugh 37 Taz.

The Race heads north from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua, rounding St Martin before heading back south to Guadeloupe, taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barth’s, Anguilla, Tintamarre, Iles des Saintes, La Desirade and Redonda along the way.

RORC Commodore, Michael Boyd, says of the Race, “The RORC Caribbean 600 has beautiful weather and spectacular nature; whales and turtles are often sighted.  At night conditions are warm with impressive meteor showers lighting up the sky.  All of these elements make this a very special race.  Everyone that takes part has their story from the race.  Sailors come from all over the world with aspirations of winning their class, but win or lose, over the past seven editions of the race the competitors have told the RORC what a memorable experience it has been.  I am sure those feelings will continue.”

The winner of this year’s RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy was George Sakellaris’ Maxi 72, Proteus (USA), which completed the course in an elapsed time of 48 hours, 22 minutes, 16 seconds, the best time after IRC correction.  Proteus was also the winner of the highly competitive IRC Zero class.  This is the second time that George Sakellaris has skippered the overall winner, having won the 2014 race with another Maxi 72, Shockwave.

One of the highlights of this year’s RORC 600 was the thrilling race between the MOD70s, Concise 10 and Phaedo3, who hurtled around the course at speeds in excess of 30 knots, often barely a boat length between them.  The nail-biting Race culminated in Phaedo3 crossing the line in a record-beating time of 31 hours, 59 minutes, 4 seconds to complete the course, with Tony Lawson’s Concise 10 skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield close on her heels finishing a mere 9 minutes and 52 seconds later.  Not only did Lloyd Thornburg’s Phaedo3, which was co-skippered by Brian Thompson, earn overall line honours winner but they also smashed their existing 2015 multihull race record of 33 hours, 35 minutes, 30 seconds by 1 hour, 34 minutes, 26 seconds.

Monohull line honours were taken by Jim and Kristy Hinze Clark’s Comanche (perhaps a little unsurprisingly, this 100-footer has been unstoppable since her launch in 2014) which crossed the finish line on Wednesday 24 February taking just 40 hours, 53 minutes, 2 seconds to dash around the course, missing out on a record by only 33 minutes.

Comanche Skipper, Ken Read said, “Going around these islands is a ball; whales breaching, volcanoes smoking, it doesn’t get any better than that.  We will be back, I promise you – this is a great race.”

Full results: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/

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America’s Cup test boat hits the waves

20 Apr 2016

Land Rover BAR launches the latest in its America’s Cup test boats at the team headquarters in Portsmouth. Photo: Rick Tomlinson/Land Rover BAR

READY TO FLY: The British America’s Cup team, Land Rover BAR, has launched T3 – the third in a series of testing boats.

T3 will further the team’s testing capability, building on the already developed T2 launched in October 2015 and T1, launched the previous year.

Ben Ainslie, team principal and skipper, said: “T3 is another fantastic piece of technology from our designers, engineers, shore team and key suppliers.”

“It’s terrific to see the step changes we have made each time we launch a new boat. This is a new team, but it’s growing up fast. Really fast,” he added.

The rules only allow the team to build one full-size 50 foot America’s Cup Class boat, however, the team can build shorter (45 foot) versions as test boats.

The rules also define much of the hull shape and structure, making wing and hydrofoil control systems one of the key technology battlegrounds.

Just as wire cable linkages between the accelerator pedal and the carburettor in cars have been replaced by sensors and electronics; aboard T3, the ropes previously used to control the sails have now been replaced by hydraulics and electronics.

Richard Hopkirk, head of systems and analysis at Land Rover BAR, said: “This boat will allow us to test and develop across all the key areas that will impact our ultimate performance, it’s a critical progression in the search for fast, stable and continuous flight,” he added.

T3 will sail from the team’s home in Portsmouth, with a full development and testing programme to conduct throughout the summer.

via Boating Business | America’s Cup test boat hits the waves.

European bronze for Pink and Bithell

Written by RYA | 16 April 2016

49er duo claim first podium finish of 2016 in Barcelona

World number three-ranked pair John Pink and Stuart Bithell claimed their first podium finish of the year with bronze at the 49er European Championships, which drew to a close in Barcelona today (16 April).

The British Sailing Team duo, who took silver at the 2015 edition of the event, concluded the six-day Open regatta – which permits off-continent entries – in fifth place overall and as the third European crew.

“It’s always nice to step on a podium, but there’s still plenty of work to do and some sharpening up on things,” explained the 470 class Olympic silver medallist Bithell, who’s aiming for selection his second Olympic Games.

After a strong start to the week, Pink and Bithell went into the final day as the second European crew, fourth overall, but hit some bad luck in the fleet races staged ahead of the medal race.

“Today was a little bit of a let down, to be honest,” Bithell admitted. “We had a UFD [starting penalty]. We’ve been working on attacking the starts and so every now and then you’re going to get bitten. In the last race we also had a bit of boat breakage unfortunately. The jib block on the front on the top of the kite chute ripped out.”

This left the British duo as third Europeans, fifth overall, heading into the final double-points race – a position they consolidated with a third place in the race.

“We’ve sailed a really good week,” Bithell continued. “We’re really happy with how we’re going, the boat speed’s good and everything’s working well. At the beginning of the week we put some really nice results together.”

“I guess the feeling right now is disappointed and happy – happy with how things are going and with the podium finish, but just a little bit disappointed with how today worked out.”

Overall event victory went to the dominant New Zealand duo of Pete Burling and Blair Tuke, with the European Championship title won by the host nation’s Diego Botin and Iago Lopez Marra who finished third overall behind Australia’s Olympic Champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen.

The British Sailing Team’s James Peters and Fynn Sterritt missed out on the top ten medal race cut finishing their regatta in 12th (9th Europeans) with World Championship bronze medallists Dylan Fletcher and Alain Sign in 15th overall (12th Europeans).

In the 49erFX European Championships, held concurrently, Rio-bound duo Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth ended their event on the high, claiming the medal race victory to see them into ninth place overall and as the seventh European crew.

Anna Burnet and Steph Orton were 25th, competing in their first event together as a crew and with Burnet on the FX helm having been crewing alongside Sophie Weguelin of late.

Full results are available at http://49er.org/2016-european-championship/

Meanwhile, the Laser Radial World Championships continues in Vallarta, Mexico, with Alison Young poised in sixth place after three races and two days of the seven day regatta, which concludes on Wednesday (20 April).

via European bronze for Pink and Bithell | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Brixham Trawler Provident back on the water

By Rob Peake // March 4, 2016

The 1924 Brixham Trawler Provident – part of UK National Historic Fleet – will be back on the water this summer after being taken out of service for more than a year.

Her current owners the Trinity Sailing Foundation stood her down amid concerns over the reliability of her elderly Gardner engine.

As a small charitable organisation, Trinity needed time to fundraise for the money to cover the necessary work.

While the vital fundraising took place, the gaff-rigger was moored on a buoy in Brixham Harbour, stripped of her masts, sails, spars, soft-furnishings, electronics and furniture. It wasn’t long before people took to social media to express their concern that her best days were over.

Trinity Sailing’s Sales & Marketing Manager Harry Gottschalk said: “We had several calls from concerned people, especially last summer, when people were sailing in and out of Brixham Harbour, as she did look very sad moored out there on her own, stripped bare.

“We were also made aware that people had uploaded photos of her to social media sites, without her masts, worried that she wasn’t being cared for. In reality she was fine; we just stripped her back to protect her as much as possible while operations staff were regularly going out to run checks on her.

“We appreciate that a lot of people have fond memories of sailing on Provident, so it was nice to reassure those who were concerned that she was okay and would be back to her best.”

After the Second World War, Provident arrived in Salcombe, in 1951, as the founding vessel of the Island Cruising Club where she remained until 1999 when she started working from Brixham as part of the newly-formed Trinity Sailing Foundation. She was built on the River Dart, which was by then owned by John Sanders. She was a replacement for an earlier vessel of the same name, sunk during the First World War by a German U-boat. She fished out of Brixham for 10 years before being sold to a wealthy American and converted to a private yacht.

Provident arrived back in Brixham at the end of February, after being kept out of the water over winter at Mashfords of Cremyll boatyard.

Ben Wheatley, Trinity Sailing’s Operations Manager, said: “Some of the staff there actually remembered putting her failing Gardner engine in place when it was first fitted into Provident, all those years ago.

“Following months of painstaking work by the yard, helped when possible by Trinity staff, she was ready for the big re-launch. After short test of the shiny new engine — a Perkins 215c — she was brought back to Brixham to carry out the exciting task of re-stepping the masts, repainting the hull, and getting the vessel in fine fettle for her first voyage in quite some time.

“We trust that the new engine will give us long years of quiet, reliable service and help us steer towards a bright future for both Provident and Trinity Sailing.”

Provident’s return begins with an eight-night voyage starting Saturday, May 28, firstly taking part in the Brixham 102-year-old Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta, then sailing along the Devon and Dorset Coastline before joining around 100 other traditionally rigged vessels for the Yarmouth Gaffers Rally. After which she has a busy sailing season right through to October, sailing to the like of Brittany and the Channel Islands.

If you would like to join Provident for her come back cruise, call Trinity Sailing on 01803 88 33 55 or email [email protected]. Her full voyage programme is available online at www.trinitysailing.org

This entry was posted in News and tagged Ben Wheatley, Brixham trawler, Cremyll, Harry Gottschalk, Provident, Trinity Sailing Trust. Bookmark the permalink.

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Hong Kong stopover for Volvo Ocean Race

14 Apr 2016

It will be the largest world-class sailing event staged in Hong Kong

OCEAN RACE: Hong Kong will be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time when the event visits in February 2018.

The unique collaboration was announced today the organisers in collaboration with the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, which will bring the race to Victoria Harbour.

“This will go down in history as a milestone event for Hong Kong sailing and will provide a wonderful platform for us to engage more locals in the world of sailing,” said Anthony Day, council member of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation.

The offshore race will transform the old airport in Kai Tak, and introduce residents of Hong Kong to a wide range of race-related activities geared to educate as well as entertain both existing fans and newcomers to the race.

Antonio Bolaños Lopez, acting CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, added: “I am thrilled that the race is visiting one of the most beautiful ports in the world for the first time.”

“We are delighted to welcome Hong Kong to the Volvo Ocean Race family and know that we will have a stopover that will be one of the highlights of the 2017-18 edition.”

Hong Kong brings the confirmed list of stopovers so far for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 edition to nine, which includes Alicante, Auckland, Cape Town, Cardiff, Newport, Rhode Island, U.S, Lisbon, Gothenburg and The Hague.

via Boating Business | Hong Kong stopover for Volvo Ocean Race.

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Sunsail becomes America’s Cup charter partner

15 Apr 2016

Sunsail has been named as an official charter partner

AMERICA’S CUP: Sunsail has been named as an official charter partner for the upcoming round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.

The event will take place in Portsmouth from 22-24 July 2016, with the best sailors and the fastest boats. close to Sunsail’s UK base in Port Solent.

Leslie Greenhalgh, events director of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Sunsail for the second year running.”

“They are a major brand in the UK and global sailing business presenting a fantastic opportunity for people to get out on the Solent as well as watching our event.”

The Sunsail stand will be located in the race village near the Techzone and enter the competition for a chance to win a host of prizes.

Sunsail are offering full hospitality packages on both sail and powerboats from just £2,495 + VAT per boat. The packages include all professional crew and catering required for a fantastic day on the water to watch the action.

Scott Farquharson, Sunsail general manager: “It’s great to be on-board, supporting the America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth for what is deemed to be the most exciting event in the UK this summer.”

“What’s not to love about watching the fastest boats compete on water from a prime position, supporting the British Team in their home waters for the final time before heading overseas?”

via Boating Business | Sunsail becomes America’s Cup charter partner.

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European 470 champions decided

18 Apr 2016

Many of the race’s medal race contenders will face each other in the Olympics ©Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy/CNA

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS: A top display of counter-attacking tactics was the order of the day as teams pushed each other around the track in a final bid for the 470 European Championships.

The overall win went to Australia’s Mat Belcher/Will Ryan who had stacked up a 12-point advantage going into the medal race.

Victories at the 470 Open European Championship were claimed by Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion (FRA) in the 470 Men and Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar in the 470 Women (AUT).

Teams from six different nations won European Championship medals, with 16 nations featuring across the teams in each of the men and women medal race fleets.

Many of the race’s medal race contenders will go on to face each other on the waters of Rio de Janeiro in four months’ time, so these results could well be an early taste of Olympic success.

The 2016 470 Open European Championships was organised by Club Nàutic Arenal in co-operation with the Real Federacion Espanola de Vela and the International 470 Class Association.

Nations represented at the 2016 470 Open European Championships include Great Britain, Australia, Canada and France.

Results

470 Men European Championship Medallists

Gold – Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion (FRA)

Silver – Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic (CRO)

Bronze – Simon Sivitz Kosuta/Jas Farneti (ITA)

470 Women European Championship Medallists

Gold – Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar (AUT)

Silver – Afrodite Kyranakou/Anneloes Van Veen (NED)

Bronze – Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol (SLO)

via Boating Business | European 470 champions decided.

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New superyacht brand unveiled

18 Apr 2016

The new brand of superyacht catamarans

BLACKCAT: A new band of superyacht catamarans has been unveiled, the BlackCat.

It was founded by Australian yachtsman Mitch Booth and will aim to set the standard in large luxury cruising multihulls.

BlackCat has teamed up with superyacht designer, Malcolm McKeon, to produce a balance of sleek, state-of-the-art designs and high-performance.

Mr Booth, said: “This ‘supercat’ concept is really exciting because there is nothing else available that combines the practicality of an enormous, stable, platform, with exhilarating performance. The accommodation space on board is a whopping 340 square metres, all within a 50-metre vessel; something that has not been done until now.”

“It’s a logical progression for superyacht designs to move towards catamarans. There are so many advantages to large multihull cruising compared to our monohull cousins, such as speed, space, low heel, comfort, the list goes on and on,” he added.

BlackCat superyachts will be made completely from carbon fibre, the use of glass in the superstructure will aim to provide a wonderful light and airy feel to the spacious interior.

The catamarans will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 knots in an effortless and comfortable way, and the shallow draft will provide more options for harbour and anchor locations.

“I’m thrilled that we’re designing this new style of catamaran. There’s been a space in the market for some time for a large catamaran design that can offer the luxury and quality of a superyacht this size, and also provide this level of stability and high performance,” said Mr McKeon.

He added: “I’ve noticed a heightened interest in catamaran discussions recently, perhaps due to the increased awareness of the America’s Cup racing yachts.”

“This has led to additional research being carried out in various areas, which has been helpful for us in developing the design of this high-performance carbon-fibre ‘supercat’ where the latest building technology and materials will be used. I’m very excited to be leading the design of this project.”

The BlackCat superyacht features a large main deck that allows for greater flexibility and provides the perfect entertainment platform. The very low levels of roll and pitch movement provide an extremely stable deck for comfortable nights at anchor.

Other advantages include lower fuel and crew costs due to its lightweight and low-drag design and ease of sailing.

via Boating Business | New superyacht brand unveiled.

Hong Kong to host stopover in 2017-18 race (updated)

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Ricardo Pinto / Volvo Ocean Race

Hong Kong, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing destinations, will be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time when the event visits in February 2018 during the 13th edition (full story below, adds up-to-date version of the route map).

– First time iconic port hosts race

– ‘Milestone event’ for Hong Kong sailing

– Fleet due to arrive in February 2018

HONG KONG, April 13 – Hong Kong, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing destinations, will be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time when the event visits in February 2018 during the 13th edition.

In a press conference today, Volvo Ocean Race organisers announced a unique collaboration with the Hong Kong Sailing Federation to bring the race to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.

It will be the largest world-class sailing event ever staged in Hong Kong.

The world’s premier offshore race will transform the old airport in Kai Tak, and introduce residents of Hong Kong to a wide range of race-related activities geared to educate as well as entertain both existing fans and newcomers to the race.

An in-port race, will also be held in the port before the boats leave for the next leg.

Anthony Day, Council Member of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, said: “This will go down in history as a milestone event for Hong Kong sailing and will provide a wonderful platform for us to engage more Hongkongers in the sport of sailing.”

Antonio Bolaños Lopez, acting CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, added: “I am thrilled that the race is visiting one of the most beautiful ports in the world for the first time. We are delighted to welcome Hong Kong to the Volvo Ocean Race family and know that we will have a stopover that will be one of the highlights of the 2017-18 edition.

“I would like to pay special tribute to the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and the Hong Kong government for making our dreams of bringing the race here a reality.”

Hong Kong brings the confirmed list of stopovers so far for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 edition to nine, which includes Alicante, Auckland, Cape Town, Cardiff, Newport, Rhode Island, U.S, Lisbon, Gothenburg and The Hague.

via Hong Kong to host stopover in 2017-18 race (updated)| Volvo Ocean Race.

Hong Kong to host stopover in 2017-18 race DownloadPower Sport Images Download DownloadRicardo Pinto / Volvo Ocean RaceHong Kong, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing destinations, will be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time when the event visits in February 2018 during the 13th edition (full story below, latest version adds new pictures).- First time iconic port hosts race- ‘Milestone event’ for Hong Kong sailing- Fleet due to arrive in February 2018HONG KONG, April 13 – Hong Kong, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing destinations, will be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time when the event visits in February 2018 during the 13th edition.In a press conference today, Volvo Ocean Race organisers announced a unique collaboration with the Hong Kong Sailing Federation to bring the race to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.It will be the largest world-class sailing event ever staged in Hong Kong.The world’s premier offshore race will transform the old airport in Kai Tak, and introduce residents of Hong Kong to a wide range of race-related activities geared to educate as well as entertain both existing fans and newcomers to the race.An in-port race, will also be held in the port before the boats leave for the next leg.Anthony Day, Council Member of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, said: “This will go down in history as a milestone event for Hong Kong sailing and will provide a wonderful platform for us to engage more Hongkongers in the sport of sailing.”Antonio Bolaños Lopez, acting CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, added: “I am thrilled that the race is visiting one of the most beautiful ports in the world for the first time. We are delighted to welcome Hong Kong to the Volvo Ocean Race family and know that we will have a stopover that will be one of the highlights of the 2017-18 edition.“I would like to pay special tribute to the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and the Hong Kong government for making our dreams of bringing the race here a reality.”Hong Kong brings the confirmed list of stopovers so far for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 edition to nine, which includes Alicante, Auckland, Cape Town, Cardiff, Newport, Rhode Island, U.S, Lisbon, Gothenburg and The Hague.

via Hong Kong to host stopover in 2017-18 race| Volvo Ocean Race.