Taking on Bass Strait two-handed
Competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is no small feat. The maxi yachts in the fleet can have up to 24 crew members. But imagine taking that right turn out of Sydney Harbour and heading south towards Bass…
Offshore
News, race results plus editorial coverage from the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Vendée Globe, The Ocean Race, ARC, Fastnet, Transpac, Ocean Globe Race, Global Solo Challenge and Offshore Yachting from around the world.
Sydney Hobart: Two-handed magic set to ignite high sea drama
For Lincoln Dews, the challenge of racing in the Two-Handed Division of the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will not only be historic, but “enormous” – for him, his crewmate and his rivals. The Two-Handed Division is one of the…
Sydney Hobart: Weather forecast smiling on small boats
As the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet settles into its first night at sea after the start, don’t be surprised if some of the smaller boats like White Bay 6 Azzurro are well in the frame. Based on Monday’s long range…
Stopover dates announced for The Ocean Race
The Ocean Race 2022-23 will visit nine iconic international cities over a six-month period, with leg one starting from Alicante, Spain, on 15 January 2023. The start of the 14th edition of The Ocean Race, early in the new year,…
Sydney Hobart long range forecast tips
A battle of wits and minds is expected in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, based on the long range weather forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology released today. The forecast of southerlies and possible thunderstorms early after the Boxing Day…
Solera’s ‘chef’ ready to take on Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Stuart Richardson is an established sailor in Geelong, Victoria who sails on a variety of boats, and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is on his radar again, this time with a comfortable Elliott 1350 Tourer that is set up…
An emotional close for ARC 2021
There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), and 2021 proved again why sailing the same route at the same time of year can produce so many different experiences. The ingredients of the ARC, the…
Maritimo 11 sets sail to compete in Sydney Hobart
Maritimo Racing’s sail contingent has embarked on the journey south to Sydney this week, to compete in the Boxing Day Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The yacht was formally farewelled today by the Gold Coast’s Mayor Tom Tate as it…
Fleet prepare for RORC Transatlantic Race
With less than a month to the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race, well over half of the record international fleet have arrived in Calero Marinas Puerto Calero in Lanzarote for the start of the 3,000 nautical mile race to…
The Ocean Race discovers microfibres are rife in Europe’s seas
New research from the world’s toughest sailing race, has found microplastics, and in particular microfibres, to be prevalent across the length and breadth of the continent. All 36 water samples collected around Europe, including in the Baltic Sea, the English…
Father and son team up for Sydney Hobart two-handed debut
Michael ‘Zappa’ Bell was itching to be among those taking part in the inaugural Two-Handed Division of the 2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and entered with his younger son, Oli. Fortunately, the same yacht, Kayimai, is available this year, allowing him to…
Swiss sailor wins inaugural Globe 5.80 Transat 2021
On December 13, Etienne Messikommer (Switzerland) with his colourful Numbatou (Hull 88) crossed the finish line at 20:48 UTC, sailing into Antigua after 26 days, 7 hours, and 48 minutes at sea, to win the inaugural 2021 McIntyre Adventure Globe 5.80 Transat…
What brings people to like single-handed sailing?
Sailing single-handed is one of those things that bring unparalleled sense of satisfaction and achievement. I remember my first solo Atlantic crossing, I was mesmerised, I loved it. Not every one enjoys sailing solo but often those that do prefer…
Sydney Hobart super maxi faces short preparation
Black Jack captain Mark Bradford concedes a lack of recent racing could put his line honours contending boat at a disadvantage against the other two supermaxis heading into this month’s Sydney to Hobart. The boat didn’t line up alongside supermaxi…
First entries in for 74th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
The Notice of Race is out, and the first entries are rolling in for the Gladstone Ports Corporation’s 74th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. The race is set to sail on Good Friday, April 15 2022 from Moreton Bay to…
Curtain falls on a fine season for Gitana Team
On November 23, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier took the win in the Ultime category of the Transat Jacques Vabre with real panache, adding yet another victory to the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild’s list of achievements. Ultimately, it is on this…
Transat Jacques Vabre recap
The 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre ended today with the very last boat, the Class40 Terre Exotique, crossing the finish line less than an hour before the cut-off time. In total, 150 sailors and 75 crews have made it to Martinique…
Zen finds focus in tricky conditions to win Cabbage Tree Island Race
Gordon Ketelbey’s TP52 Zen takes a huge “confidence boost” into the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, winning her final offshore hit-out before the great race in the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore’s Cabbage Tree Island Race. Three TP52s led the Fully-Crewed IRC…
Double win for double-handed Speedwell in Cabbage Tree Island Race
Campbell Geeves and Wendy Tuck claimed their first ever blue water win together, steering Speedwell to line honours and overall (IRC) victory in the Two-Handed Division of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore’s Cabbage Tree Island Race. Speedwell completed…
LawConnect first home in Cabbage Tree Race
Christian Beck’s Juan-K 100 LawConnect laid down a marker in her return to offshore racing, winning Fully-Crewed Line Honours in the 2021 Cabbage Tree Island Race, the third race in the 2021/22 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. LawConnect takes…
ARC: 12 Nacira 69 takes honours in Saint Lucia
At 03:16:45 local time on Friday, the Italian flagged 12 Nacira 69 crossed the finish line off Rodney Bay Saint Lucia as the first arrival of ARC 2021, claiming the coveted award of line honours and kick-starting the celebrations after…
Sydney Hobart super maxi’s secret weapon
It took a few goes for the LawConnect team to smash the champagne bottle on the newly extended bowsprit of Christian Beck’s 100ft super maxi, but they eventually got there, christening the rebranded Juan-K 100 ahead of the 2021 Rolex…
Dates announced for 50th Fastnet Race
Following the success of the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race from Cowes to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and its French partners are delighted to announce the date for the next edition of its flagship event in 2023. The…
ARC fatality and two yachts abandoned mid-Atlantic
A French sailor has died on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and a further yacht abandoned due to catastrophic steering failure. French sailor Max Delannoy (73), who was taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, has died after being…
Income Asset Management joins as naming rights partner for inaugural Australian Maxi Championship
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is delighted to welcome Income Asset Management as the naming rights partner for the inaugural Australian Maxi Championship. This new regatta has been introduced by Australian Sailing to provide additional racing for maxis and mini maxis, with the…
Australian sailor to complete 2018 Golden Globe Race
With the new year around the corner and nine months before the start of the Golden Globe Race 2022, the skippers and organisers are keeping busy. While most boats get in the shed for their winter refit, some sailors prefer…
New Maxi European Championship coming to 2022
The International Maxi Association is to introduce a new European Championship for maxi yachts in 2022. Taking place over 14-20 May out of Sorrento, Italy with racing based around the Gulf of Naples and Capri, the IMA Maxi European Championship…
Zhik partners with super maxi for Sydney Hobart
Australia’s innovative technical apparel brand Zhik is delighted to announce they have partnered with Christian Beck’s LawConnect, the Australian based Super Maxi, for the next three seasons. Going into the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, owner and skipper Beck…
Record fleet set for Cabbage Tree Island Race
A record fleet of 69 boats is expected to take on the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore’s Cabbage Tree Island Race on Friday 3 December. The 172 nautical mile race will provide an early preview for the Rolex Sydney…
Three rescued at sea after yacht hits sunfish
A dramatic rescue at sea has seen three people saved after their 11-metre catamaran began taking water after hitting a sunfish 13 nautical miles off Green Island near Ulladulla on Monday afternoon, November 30. The three people on board were…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Croatian and Japanese Class40 sailors finish
The dream of completing the Transat Jacques Vabre race has become a reality for Olympic skier Ivica Kostelic and Japanese sailor Masa Suzuki. Former world champion skier Ivica Kostelic and his French co-skipper Calliste Antoine also turned their dream of…
Globe 580 Transat fleet propelled by trade winds
After several days of calm weather that tested everybody’s nerves, the Globe 580 Transat fleet has finally caught the trade winds. The four leading boats are currently leaving the Cabo Verde Islands in their wake while Jim Schofield (Ireland) in…
JPK 1180 Sunrise stars at the RORC ‘Oscars’
The 2021 Royal Ocean Racing Club Annual Dinner and Prize Giving was held to celebrate a spectacular season of racing. Dubbed the RORC Oscars, over 300 attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception and a three-course gourmet dinner. A glittering array of…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Class40 podium shared by three nations and an Olympian
The Class40 victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre has gone to Redman, co-skippered by Frenchman Antoine Carpentier and Pablo Santurde Del Arco of Spain. Second place went to Banque Du Léman, third to Seafrigo-Sogestran. The pair, who started the race as…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Bittersweet arrival for 11th Hour Racing Team’s Mālama
On November 28 at 2204 local time, 11th Hour Racing Team’s brand new 60-foot race boat ‘Mālama’ crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Fort-de-France, Martinique, taking 13th place in the 22-strong IMOCA Class. Starting in Le…
True Colours celebrates first ORCV offshore race with a win
John Strahan’s and his True Colours crew are celebrating after winning both AMS and ORCc divisions in the season opening Ocean Racing Club of Victoria offshore race. The 55 nautical mile Bass Strait race, starting off Queenscliff, was a real test for crew and equipment in windy and choppy conditions. Sailing an easterly course to Cape Schanck with a 25 knot south easterly the fleet set sail with reefed mainsails. It was a quick refresher course of sailing into the wind in Bass Strait. “The conditions were challenging,…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Minutes between IMOCA finishers
After more than twenty days at sea the difference between fourth ( Britain’s Sam Davies on Initiatives Coeur) and fifth (an all-French crew aboard Arkéa-Paprec) in the Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA class was just 21 minutes 40 seconds. Italian Pedote took sixth (Prysmian Group)….
Transat Jacques Vabre: Charal’s arrival completes IMOCA podium
Charal’s arrival in Martinique completes IMOCA podium of Transat Jacques Vabre, but the racing rages on, especially for fourth and fifth between Initiatives Coeur and Arkéa-Paprec, while the front of the Class 40 remains incredibly close with the current leader…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Boat damage and bad weather hits fleet
The winner of the last edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre in the Class 40 has sustained keel damage, whilst bad weather off Martinique may delay the finish for the leading IMOCAs. Class 40 Late last night Ian Lipinski’s Crédit…
Sails of Change crew ready to break circumnavigation record
Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their nine crew will begin a fresh Jules Verne Trophy record attempt this Thursday. Early in the morning, the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change will cast off from her port of registry in La Trinité-Sur-Mer (Morbihan)…
