All News
The latest news from the world of yachting and sailing including yacht & dinghy reviews, cruising and destination information plus the latest boating gear as well as inshore and offshore racing updates and regatta schedules. All things Sailing, Sail Racing, Sailboats and more.
Tokyo Olympics postponed
Today [24 March 2020] the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee issued a joint statement announcing the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Available on the IOC website here, the statement read, “In the present circumstances…
2020 edition of Superyacht Cup Palma cancelled in response to pandemic
Organisers of the Superyacht Cup Palma have cancelled the 2020 regatta scheduled for 17-20 June due to the ongoing global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and in line with recommendations from the Spanish and Balearic Governments. “This ongoing global crisis has made…
Fremantle to Exmouth Race has been cancelled
When the Fremantle to Bali Race and Rally was postponed for a year owing to concerns about the COVID-19 virus in Indonesia, a substitute event was planned for May 2020 – a race to Exmouth. The Fremantle Sailing Club has…
Queensland taskforce sees a long haul in war on wrecks
Maritime Safety Queensland will continue working to rid Queensland of unsafe and unsightly wrecks after the Minister for Transport and Main Roads gave the green light to explore recommendations made in an interim report to the state government by the War…
On-water speed monitor proves popular at Manly Boat Harbour
Almost anyone who drives a vehicle on our roads has seen those free-standing electronic speed monitors on roadsides displaying ‘grumpy faces’ if you are going too fast, or ‘smiley faces’ if you are doing the right thing. Well, pretty soon…
Storm tactics: back to the science
The attrition rate in the last Golden Globe Race around the world has led to some lively debate about the safety of these old designs compared with modern ocean racers. Those decrying the use of traditional long-keel yachts point out…
America's Cup World Series Portsmouth officially cancelled
It is with great regret that the America’s Cup Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and local organising authority ORIGIN Sports Group announce the unavoidable cancellation of Emirates ACWS Portsmouth, which was scheduled to take place between June 4-7. Over the…
Yacht runs aground off Waikiki Beach
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and partners are responding to a report of a 35-foot, double-masted sailing vessel grounded off Waikiki, Saturday evening. Pollution responders are on the scene assessing the situation and surrounding area for impacts. At this time, there are no…
IOC to make final decision on Tokyo 2020 in four weeks with postponement considered
Inside the Games. By Michael Pavitt A final decision on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be reached in four weeks by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with postponement of the Games set to be assessed. An IOC Executive Board meeting took…
Stuck in self-isolation? Do your own laundry
In these crazy times of self-exclusion, maybe it is time to do some of those projects you have had planned. Over the coming weeks we will post up some useful DIY projects that have appeared in Cruising Helmsman. If you…
Simple cockpit table from salvaged stuff
In these crazy times of self-exclusion, maybe it is time to do some of those projects you have had planned. Over the coming weeks we will post up some useful DIY projects that have appeared in Cruising Helmsman. If you…
Why use a laser rescue flare?
A rescue laser flare should be part of your standard safety kit, according to SOS Marine. Not only is it a critical survival device for rescue, it is also useful for locating retro-reflective items such as buoys or man overboard’s…
Tasmania’s summer pennant cancelled – winners decided early
The final race of Hobart’s major summer yachting series, the Combined Clubs Summer Pennant scheduled for today week, Saturday, 28 March, has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 virus spread. Pennants winners will now be decided on eight races, the…
Police search for man missing from a yacht off the Victorian coast
Victorian Search and Rescue Water Police officers are coordinating an air, land and sea search for a yacht missing off Victoria’s east coast. The alarm was raised when the missing yachtsman’s family contacted NSW police concerned for their relative’s welfare…
America's Cup: Auckland can be a winner as World Series sinks in Europe
Auckland will be the big winner if the America's Cup World Series does eventually get under way. The yachting world awaits the first taste of racing in the new 75-foot foiling monohulls but that wait could be quite a while…
Cancellation of Antigua Sailing Week
As a result of national and global measures being taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and the priority being the health and safety of our citizens, competitors, spectators and volunteers, the decision to cancel Antigua Sailing Week is the only viable option. We…
RORC Easter Challenge cancelled
In line with the Government's latest advice, and the Royal Yachting Association's (RYA) announcement to suspend events in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19), The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has taken the decision to cancel the Easter Challenge which was due…
BIA gives update on boat show season
The Boating Industry Association Board today discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the boating industry and the 2020 BIA boat show circuit. The Board considered a range of factors with the prosperity of our members and the…
Honda Marine holds narrow lead in JJ Giltinan with two races to go
The defending champion Honda Marine team of David McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins hold a narrow points lead over their nearest rival as the fleet goes into the final two races of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney…
America's Cup Arbitration Panel confirms Cagliari is cancelled, not postponed
Cagliari, 18 March 2020 – Following the submission to the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel by the New York Yacht Club / American Magic regarding its participation in the ACWS Sardegna – Cagliari and the subsequent responses of COR 36, the…
Mara Stransky selected to Australian Olympic Team
Queensland’s Mara Stransky has today been named by the Australian Olympic Committee as Australia’s selection for the Laser Radial class at the 2020 Olympic Games. The announcement caps a stunning rise for the 21-year old sailor, as the Tokyo-bound athlete…
Third win in a row for Kiwis in JJ Giltinan 18 Footer World Championship
Defending champion Honda Marine team of David McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins took out the third consecutive JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship after another impressive performance in the final two races of the regatta on Sydney Harbour today. Going…
Three races, three different winners in JJ Giltinan 18 Footers
Three windward-return course races staged on Day 3 of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today produced three different winners in the light SE breeze. In the first race of the day (Race 3 of the championship)…
73rd Newport to Ensenada rescheduled for 2021
Newport Beach, CA – In light of the Corvid 19 virus, the Newport Ocean Racing Association’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to reschedule the 73rd annual Newport to Ensenada Yacht International Race until April 23, 2021. “Safety of our volunteers…
Cancellation of the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship
March 16, 2020 – Charleston, S.C. USA – The Organizing Committee announces the cancellation of the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship, that was expected to be held in Charleston, SC, USA on May 1-9, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In…
2020 Antigua Bermuda Race cancelled
After consultation with both the Governments of Antigua & Barbuda and Bermuda over the COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce the 2020 Antigua Bermuda Race has been cancelled. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week thank the support…
Bermuda Gold Cup postponed until October
HAMILTON, Bermuda (Mar. 16, 2020) — Organizers for the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club’s Bermuda Gold Cup match racing regatta have postponed the celebratory 70th running to October due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and travel restrictions imposed…
Bill Hatfield's circumnavigation record ratified
Devon, UK, 16 March 2020– On Saturday, the 22nd February, Bill Hatfield became the oldest man to sail around the world solo and non-stop. But Bill is not only the oldest man to circumnavigate the world solo, nonstop and unassisted…
Help! Laser sailors are in good hands with PSA
We’ve all been there. You arrive at the regatta, go to rig your boat and find that you’ve left your bung/battens/cleat/sheet in the shed at home. Or you find there’s a nasty stone chip in your hull from the road…
Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race postponed
From the Clipper Race Organising Committee: With the ongoing global outbreak of Covid-19 and the enormous impact it has created on world travel, the Clipper 2019-20 Race has been postponed with immediate effect. This decision has been in no way…
A tough final day for Laser Masters sailors in Geelong
There were some very weary Masters sailors hauling their boats up the beach on the last day of the Oceania and Australian Laser Masters Championship. It was a glorious sunny day in Geelong, but the wind was shifting up to…
First Australian M38 title for Lazy Dog
Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart’s MC38 Lazy Dog from Middle Harbour out-ran the pack at the class’ 2020 reduced national title on Sydney Harbour, posting a low-scoring 13 points that included five wins from eight starts. The hours Lazy Dog’s…
Slick Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club team sews up northern qualifier
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s team, skippered by talented offshore yachtsman Joe de Kock, leaned on teamwork and plenty of experience to post eight firsts and one second from their nine races in the SAILING Champions League – Asia Pacific northern…
Sailing history made on the Derwent
Sailing history was made on the River Derwent today as crews and individual sailors raced for their Tasmanian championships in International Dragons, Sharpies and Lasers. For the first time a woman, Kirsty Salter, won the Tasmanian championship for the Sharpie…
Defending champions tighten grip on JJ Giltinan
The Honda Marine team of David McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins tightened their grip slightly on the 2020 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship when they scored their second win of the regatta in Race 2 on Sydney Harbour today….
Firefighter family day a success on the water
Hundreds of volunteer firefighters and their families from brigades around Australia turned out for a fantastic day on the water with members of the boating community. Families arrived at event hubs for a BBQ in the morning before they stepped…
America’s Cup visit to Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club postponed
It is with great disappointment we hoist the AP flag on our flagship promotional event; the March 28-29 visit of the America’s Cup to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) and hope we may be able run the event…
Beyer, McMahon and Waraker shine in light conditions at Laser Masters
There was drama aplenty on the second day of the Oceania and Australian Laser Masters Championship in Geelong. In light, shifty conditions, there were eight black flags, shared evenly between the Radial Masters and Radial Grand Masters, and when they…
Sponsor stands by the Laser Class
When the 2020 Laser Masters World Championships were postponed indefinitely owing to the Coronavirus, it wasn’t just the sailors who were affected. The Victorian Laser Association, which has won praise for its staging of a massive summer of Laser sailing…
