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Wetwheels Hamble naming

25 May 2016

Wetwheels Hamble is officially named by Dame Mary Fagan DCVO, JP Photo: Brian Curtis

OFFICAL NAMING: Wetwheels Hamble was officially named by Dame Mary Fagan DCVO, JP at a ceremony on 14 May at the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

Captain Christopher Fagan joined Dame Mary on the Prince Philip Yacht Haven pontoons, alongside Trustees of the Wetwheels Foundation (WWF), Eastleigh MP Mims Davies, the directors of Wetwheels Hamble CIC and the commodore of the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

Geoff Holt MBE, DL, disabled sailing ambassador, was the driving force behind the Wetwheels initiative.

He said: “Today is obviously a special day for everyone involved but it is also a tremendously moving day for me.”

“We have come a long way and it makes me incredibly proud to see this, our third boat on the water, especially knowing the lives she will enrich over her life time here on the river. The Hamble is very special to me for a number of reasons and I just know that the whole community will benefit from her presence here.”

In June 2014 it was first agreed that the proceeds from the RSrnYC Charity Summer Ball would go towards the building of a Wetwheels Hamble boat to be operated from the Royal Southern.

It was also agreed that the funding to provide disabled facilities in the Club’s new Prince Philip Yacht Haven were to be donated through the Royal Southern Yacht Club Charitable Trust.

Once the fundraising campaign was officially launched it only took 44 days to announce that 75% of the target has been reached, sufficient to instruct Cheetah Marine to schedule the building of the third boat for launching in the spring of 2016.

The Wetwheels boats are all built by Cheetah Marine in Ventnor, Isle of Wight and Suzuki, who have supported Geoff Holt since the launching of the Solent boat that operates from Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, are the official engine suppliers.

Andy Fell, chairman of the WWF, said: “We are delighted with the new Wetwheels Hamble boat. We know there is a big demand from disabled people to access the water in this area and what better home for our 3rd boat than the Prince Philip Yacht Haven on the beautiful Hamble River.”

via Boating Business | Wetwheels Hamble naming.

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Disabled sailors get a boost from Bart’s Bash

26 May 2016

Bart’s Bash will focus on raising awareness and funds for disabled sailors

BART’S BASH: World Sailing, the governing body of the sport, has joined forces with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, offering official support and promotion to Bart’s Bash which will this year focus on disabled sailing.

Launched in 2014, Bart’s Bash is the world’s largest sailing event run by sailing clubs, community sailing programmes, sail training centres, yacht clubs, scout groups, sea cadets and even groups of sailors, all around the world.

In 2016 Bart’s Bash will be raising awareness and funds to support disabled sailing globally and this year’s edition is scheduled for 17-18 September, falling at the same time as the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition.

However, sailing will not be on the Tokyo 2020 programme after the International Paralympic Committee made a decision to remove the sport. Since then, World Sailing has been working closely with its members and the IPC to ensure reintroduction for 2024.

World Sailing chief executive, Andy Hunt, said, “World Sailing is working tirelessly to ensure sailing is returned into the Paralympic program of sports. Once the competition ends at Rio 2016, it is vital that World Sailing maintain the momentum for inclusion back into the Paralympic Games.”

“I, along with the rest of the World Sailing team, will be taking to the water this September as a show of support during the Paralympic Games,” he added.

Since its inception, Bart’s Bash has inspired thousands of new and seasoned sailors to participate in sailing whilst raising funds to improve the lives of young people around the world.

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation continues to encourage more people to get on the water and promote the benefits it brings people of all abilities.

Sir Ben Ainslie, trustee of the ASSF and skipper of America’s Cup team, Land Rover BAR, added: “People know how close the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is to my heart, and it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the charity at the last Bart’s Bash.

“It’s really good to see World Sailing now getting behind the event, and let’s hope we can get even more people out on the water this year in memory of Bart.”

IMAGES FOR THIS ARTICLE – CLICK TO ENLARGE

via Boating Business | Disabled sailors get a boost from Bart’s Bash.

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Sunsail sponsorship for Helena Lucas

19 May 2016

Helena Lucas MBE has a new sponsor

SPONSORSHIP: Sunsail is to sponsor leading Paralympic sailor Helena Lucas MBE as she prepares for the defence of her London 2012 gold medal in Rio 2016 this summer.

Helena Lucas said: “I am delighted to have Sunsail’s support for the last few months of preparation for the Paralympic Games in Rio and really looking forward to some fantastic Sunsail sailing holidays after the Games.”

Scott Farquharso, general manager Sunsail, added: “We met Helena at a Little Britain Challenge Cup charity cheque presentation and were bowled over by her passion for sailing. Sunsail is delighted to be able to support Helena in her Rio 2016 campaign and quest for a second Paralympic gold medal with this sponsorship.”

Named as the first member of the Great Britain team for Rio in April last year, Helena Lucas made history claiming 2.4mR Paralympic gold at London 2012, becoming the first ever female winner of the male dominated Paralympic class and Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing gold medallist.

Having sailed 470s since 1997, she moved into the Paralympic 2.4mR in 2003 before making her Paralympic Games debut at Beijing 2008, finishing seventh.

via Boating Business | Sunsail sponsorship for Helena Lucas.

Thompson takes second straight Laser Worlds title

Written by RYA | 19 May 2016

Victory in Vallarta as Thompson takes his second world title

Nick Thompson admitted he was ‘elated’ to capture a second consecutive World Championship crown as the Laser Worlds drew to a close in Vallarta, Mexico, on Wednesday (18 May).

The Lymington sailor clinched victory by 12 points over French rival Jean Baptiste Bernaz to add a second world title to his maiden victory in 2015, having led the seven-day regatta from the outset. Bronze went to the Netherlands’ Rutger Van Schaardenburg.

Thompson is the third British World Champion to be crowned this year in the ten Olympic classes with just 79 days to go until the Rio 2016 Games, joining Laser Radial Alison Young and four-time Finn Worlds winner Giles Scott on top of the Worlds podium and seeing the British Sailing Team top the 2016 World Championship medal table across the Olympic disciplines.

“It was a pretty tricky event,” Thompson explained. “We managed to get all the races in and I was leading from day one and so I was a little bit stressed with that, being the defending World Champion. But I’m over the moon to have finished on top.”

Thompson got his regatta off to a flying start, picking up two race wins on the first day of the event, and never looked back. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little bit of extra pressure on me,” the Rio-bound sailor continued.

“It’s something I try not to think about at all but I really tried very hard just to focus on each race. I kind of knew that we were going to get most of the race in so it was going to be a long old slog. Once I nailed the double bullet I was like ‘oh blimey, the pressure is definitely on me’. But I think I managed to cope with it pretty well.”

In spite of Thompson taking a 19 point lead into the final day, the last two races provided a tough test for the 30-year-old, who had to discard a 41st in the first race of the day before sealing victory with a ninth place in the final race.

“I actually sailed a good first race up until the second beat where I was in the position I needed to be in and there was a big shift which let JB, the French guy, go from nearly last to top five at the next mark.

“Suddenly it was all back on again and I was on the other side of the course having lost quite a few places. That was really frustrating, but I regrouped and focused on the next one.”

Thompson takes great confidence from this latest triumph as he heads towards his first Olympic Games, but is not about to take his foot off the gas in his quest for the Rio podium.

“It’s pleasing to have done this because it shows we’re moving in the right direction and the things I’ve been needing to work on have been covered.

“Rio’s a very tricky venue and is different to what we’ve had here so I think there’s still some work to do, but pretty much I just need to maintain the hard work we’ve done already and I think we should be in a good place.”

“I’m absolutely stoked to see Giles win his fourth Worlds and Ali win her first Worlds,” said Thompson of his teammates’ achievements.

“I’m so pleased for them and they both work so hard. It puts us in a great place going into Rio and we’re looking like one of the teams to beat which is fantastic. I’m really pleased to have joined the other two.”

Elsewhere at the Laser Worlds, British Sailing Team Podium Potential sailor Jack Wetherell finished his regatta in 23rd place, Michael Beckett was 24th, Lorenzo Chiavarini 25th, Elliot Hanson was 29th and Henry Wetherell 51st.

Full results are available at www.laserworlds2016.org

Thompson will next be in action at the Sailing World Cup Weymouth & Portland – the final major event before the Rio Games – from 6-12 June.

via Thompson takes second straight Laser Worlds title | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Scott wins fourth Finn World Championship

Written by RYA | 12 May 2016

Defending champion takes unassailable lead into final day in Gaeta

Giles Scott has further stated his intent on Rio Olympic glory, today defending his Finn World Championship title to become the second most successful sailor in the Finn Gold Cup’s 60 year history.

After five days of tricky, light wind racing the Rio-bound sailor secured an unassailable 21 point margin over Danish rival Jonas Hogh-Christensen in Gaeta, Italy, a day before the final medal race on Friday (13 May).

His fourth win puts him alongside some of the all-time greats, something he had in the back of his mind: “I was very much aware of it, it was certainly nice to take that step up to that and be one step below my [America’s Cup] boss [Ben Ainslie],” Scott laughed.

“But it’s great. I think if you had taken me back eight years and told me that I was going to win one World Championship I would probably have shaken your hand there and said thank you very much, but to win four is just great.”

It was a tricky start for Scott, who got stuck on the wrong side of a 30 degree wind shift to score a 38th on day one: “When you start off with a 38th there are an awful lot of people in front of you that you’ve got to get past. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t doubt in my mind but fortunately I managed to up my game I suppose and be consistent and sail well, sail the right way and sail fast.”

“To win any World Championship is massive, but to win the won three months out from the Games is great. We have seen this event as a dry run, a peaking event, we came here not to test anything but to perform well and to be able to do that sends a bit of a message out,” said Scott.

“Ultimately anything can happen at the Games but at the moment we are happy with where we are at and we just want to take the form we have forwards.

“Next up for I’m training in the UK before the Sailing World Cup [Weymouth and Portland] and then straight after that I’m heading out to Rio for a decent stint, about over two weeks, then we go out before the Games trip in July.

“One stint and then we are in [to the games]. It’s a bit of a weird one, it feels like really far away but if you break it down it’s just around the corner.”

Tomorrow Scott just needs to just complete the medal race to confirm his title: “I will just keep my nose clean, sail a decent race. It’s always quite a nice relaxed position to be in with a medal race.

“Medal races are notoriously hard so it’s nice to have the points gap and I think they are planning on racing us under the town here in Gaeta which the wind will be straight of it, so it’s nice to have that gap,” concluded the champion looking ahead to some potentially challenging final day conditions.

Fellow teammate Ed Wright has qualified for the medal race in ninth and will be looking to jump up the leaderboard. Ben Cornish is in 16th and Peter McCoy in 33rd with one final fleet race still to go for the boats outside the top ten medal racers.

via Scott wins fourth Finn World Championship | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Infiniti’s two new extreme performers

BY ADMIN • MAY 6, 2016 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, YACHTS • COMMENTS (0) • 141

The benefits of foiling for grand prix monohull racing yachts has been well proven over the past few years and the technology is now making the transition into series built production models. While these are not full foiling designs in the manner of the AC45 catamarans used in the America’s Cup World Series, they offer significant performance benefits particularly in moderate to strong winds.

These designs use the patented lateral DSS foils created by British naval architect Hugh Welbourn. When deployed to leeward the foil provides vertical lift, dramatically increasing the boat’s stability and therefore the amount of power that can be extracted from the rig. The stronger the wind, the faster the yacht (and its DSS foil) travels through the water, and as a result, the more lift and stability the foil generates. The foils also reduce heel and pitching, making for a smoother, more efficient ride. In lighter breezes the foil is retracted into the hull to reduce drag.

Designed by Welbourn, the Infiniti 46 is an uncompromised carbon fibre racing yacht optimised for coastal and offshore racing. It is available with fixed keel or canting keel/single daggerboard options to complement its lateral DSS foils. The British owner of the first boat has a schedule planned including the world’s classic 600 mile races including the 2016 Rolex Sydney Hobart and the 2017 Fastnet. The canting keel provides even more righting moment and stability, enabling the boat to be raced competitively with a crew of just six.

The Infiniti 53 is the first of the range from the board of Farr Yacht Design. It’s fitted as standard with a canting keel, a single daggerboard and DSS foil. The boat was conceived as a modern version of Farr’s canting keel Cookson 50, which has won, or been on the podium, of every major offshore event worldwide. The new boat’s very low drag hull form can be driven efficiently by a moderate sail plan even in light airs.

Both models are built in China by McConaghy Boats. Run by a mix of Australian, New Zealander and American boat builders, the company has an enviable reputation for building state-of-the-art race boats, including Mach 2 foiling Moths, the Ker 40+, 42 and 46, plus the J/70 and MC38. McConaghy was also responsible for the curved J-foils used by the AC45 fleet.

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via Infiniti’s two new extreme performers | Yachting News Report | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

Oyster Regatta reaches Antigua

BY ADMIN • MAY 6, 2016 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, REGATTAS • COMMENTS (0) • 102

Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

While the main incentive for buying an Oyster yacht is invariably to acquire an dependable large luxury cruising yacht, an important additional benefit for some owners are the regular regattas that Oyster Marine runs around the world.

These have two main objectives – fun and safety. Among the fleet there tends to be different levels of experience on the race course at the same time, with the experienced racing sailors on high performance yachts ensuring the less experienced sailors, or those with young families, also enjoy a first-rate experience.

Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

The latest event was held on the Caribbean island of Antigua in April this year, hosting 14 yachts from six countries. These ranged from older Oyster 53s up to the British boat builder’s largest and latest models. The latter included former Formula 1 magnate Eddie Jordan’s Oyster 885, Lush.

Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

The starting and finishing point for the six-day event was Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour. The programme included four days of racing, along with fabulous parties at some of the island’s most famous locations. The first day saw the fleet racing from English Harbour to Nonsuch Bay in shifty conditions that saw the wind oscillating between south and south-east and varying in strength from 6 to 16 knots.

Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

A highlight was the mid week lay day at the Jacqui O’s Love Beach on the leeward coast of Antigua. This is a stereotypical tropical paradise blessed with fine white sand, crystal clear water and a perfect view of Antigua’s volcanic neighbour, Montserrat.

The penultimate race was held in truly magnificent tradewind conditions, with the fleet enjoying exhilarating racing in winds of up to 20 knots in brilliant sunshine. Two of the three classes were so close that the winners were decided on the last race. Spectacular sailing conditions again prevailed with a brisk 20 knots of wind from the south east as the fleet headed back to English Harbour.

Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

The next events on Oyster’s calendar are at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in the Solent on the south coast of the UK (July 4-6, 2016), followed by the 38th Oyster Regatta in Palma, Mallorca (October 4-8, 2016).

Photo credits: Oyster Yachts/photoaction.com

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via Oyster Regatta reaches Antigua | Yachting News Report | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

World ARC fleet completes circumnavigation

BY ADMIN • MAY 6, 2016 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, RACING • COMMENTS (0) • 109

The fleet anchored in Cocos Keeling. Credit: © WCC

Fifteen months after setting out in January 2015, the 30 yachts in the 2015-16 World ARC returned to the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia at the end of their 26,000-mile voyage. Among the 17 countries visited, this edition of the rally saw the fleet visit three new stopover ports – Santa Marta in Colombia, Raiatea in French Polynesia and Lombok in Indonesia.

After transiting the Panama Canal the fleet sailed on to explore the Pacific islands of the Galapagos, Marquesas, Society Islands, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu en route to Queensland, Australia. After cruising up the Great Barrier Reef, the rally visited Lombok, then crossed the southern Indian Ocean, stopping at Cocos, Mauritius and Reunion before pausing in South Africa for Christmas and New Year.

Leaving Cocos Keeing. Credit: © WCC

In January they departed across the Atlantic to Brazil, with a stopover in St Helena. The fleet cruised the Brazilian coast for carnival, before visiting Grenada and exploring the Caribbean to finish in Saint Lucia in April 2016.

Speaking in St Lucia at the end of the rally Andrew Bishop, Managing Director of World Cruising Club, said: “Completing a circumnavigation is a very special moment, and to be here to welcome and congratulate our World ARC participants is always a great experience, especially with a group that has bonded so closely.”

Transiting the Panama Canal. Credit: © WCC

Having enjoyed beautiful, fascinating and welcoming places all around the globe crews agreed they would miss friends from the rally most as they go their separate ways. “Sailing round the world with World ARC was amazing, especially the people we met and the places we visited,” says Kristofer Oliversson of the Icelandic flagged Najad 529, Hugur. “The experience has been like sailing around the world with friends “One of the highlights has been visiting islands in the middle of the oceans that people just don’t get to!”

The circumnavigation finished with a parade of sail in line astern formation, followed by an official prize giving ceremony and party in Saint Lucia. The World ARC now runs annually, which gives yachts the option of spending an extra year in the Pacific Ocean and Australasia, completing their circumnavigation in 27 months, rather than 15 months. Entries are open for the next edition, World ARC 2017, with yachts able to join either in Saint Lucia (January) or in Australia (September), and sail a half rally or make the whole circumnavigation.

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Remembering Hans, 10 years on DownloadOskar Kihlborg/Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 DownloadIAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race DownloadTeam ABN AMRO Ten years ago today, the Volvo Ocean Race family lost one of its own – Hans Horrevoets (full story below).ALICANTE, Spain, May 18 – Ten years ago today, the Volvo Ocean Race family lost one of its own.It was May 18, 2006, that 32-year-old ABN AMRO TWO, sailor Hans Horrevoets, was swept overboard.The Dutch boat nose-dived into a big wave in 25 knots of wind during the transatlantic leg from New York to Portsmouth. The Dutchman’s loss sent shockwaves across the whole sport – and beyond.“He was a really important member of our team. Everyone has such fond memories of him,” said Simon ‘Sifi’ Fisher, who sailed his first Volvo Ocean Race on the boat, and most recently won the trophy as navigator onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.“Many people say that the last race I did must have been the most amazing – but in many ways, that first one, alongside Hans, was the most special for me.”Horrevoets was a senior member of the crew, which was largely made up of under-30s.After 40 minutes of extraordinary seamanship, the crew located Horrevoets’ body and hauled him back onboard, but he could not be resuscitated.Fisher continued: “We all lost a friend out in the Atlantic that day, and there are a lot of difficult memories there.“But we’re very grateful for the memories we do have. We had a really great team, and Hans was a major part of that. In fact, he was actually the person who did a lot of the crew selection, and was part of the process of putting it all together.”Horrevoets’ fellow Dutchman, Gerd-Jan Poortman, who raced the last edition as bowman on Team Brunel, was also a part of ABN AAMRO TWO in 2005-06.“Hans is still hugely missed, especially here in Holland,” he said. “His energy and ambition were totally addictive.“In particular, his passion to open up offshore racing to the next generation is very much missed, and still a great example to me.” It’s that passion which led to the ‘Hans Horrevoets Rookie Award’ being established. “It’s a great trophy,” continued Poortman.“It doesn’t have anything to do with the accident, but it is something that he really stood for. Hans was always busy with new talent, and trying to develop new sailors in Holland.”The award is given to the outstanding young sailor of each Volvo Ocean Race and was most recently was won by Team SCA’s Sophie Ciszek, one of the stars of the all-female campaign of 2014-15.“Winning the award was really special to me,” she said. “Hans was one of those guys who, when I was growing up, inspired me to become a Volvo Ocean Race sailor in the first place.”

via Remembering Hans, 10 years on| Volvo Ocean Race.

First Whitbread champion dies

12 May 2016

Ramón Carlín won the Round the World Race in 1973-74

WHITBREAD CHAMPION: Ramón Carlín, winner of the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973-74, has died in Mexico City, ages 92.

Mr Carlín was completely unknown to the sport when he first entered the event, by 1973 he has assembled a crew of unheralded sailors and upset the odd to win the race with his Swan 65, Sayula II.

“We won because of our skipper,” explained one of the crew members, Briton Butch Dalrymple-Smith, who had no doubt it was Mr Carlín’s exceptional skills of leadership that transformed the crew into world beaters.

“Ramón was as close to a perfect captain that I have ever experienced. He was enthusiastic, he did everything in a first class way. He cared about us, we had the best food and the boat was beautifully equipped,” added American Bob Martin.

Mr Carlín’s life was commemorated in a successful movie last year, The Weekend Sailor, which was directed by fellow countryman Bernardo Arsuaga.

In the film, he told of how his team were mocked in the English media prior to the start in September 1973, portrayed as lazy Mexicans completely unprepared for the huge round-the world challenge ahead.

“The winning difference was my boat and that crew,” Mr Carlín recounted.

He continued: “We had no time to train. My plan was to get to know the crew and teach them how to manage the boat during the first leg, but all of them turned out to be very good.

“What hooked me was that it was an adventure, no one knew which way to go. It was the first time anyone had gone round the world with a full crew and the competition was real.”

via Boating Business | First Whitbread champion dies.