The Heat is “On”
Another update from our friends down in Tas. Words: Liz Rountree It may be damp, it may be overcast, but the Southerlies and Easterlies have been pumping, which means the heat of competition is on – and this Saturday look’s…
Racing
The best yacht, keelboat & dinghy racing news, race results and personal insights, with racing series and regatta reports and lots of beautiful high resolution sailing photographs. Including daily news coverage from major races and circuits Olympic Sailing, America’s Cup, Sydney Hobart, SailGP, 44Cup, The Ocean Race and more.
Tough & Tempestuous Golden Day in the SSL Gold Cup 1/4 Finals
The 1/4 Finals started in a calm manner, but came to a crescendo early on Thursday in Gran Canaria. The golden double points finale started in the highest, gustiest and shiftiest winds seen so far in the SSL Gold Cup,…
Red Sea delight for New Zealand and Italy
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful venues in the world for high-performance sailing, the Red Sea served up challenging afternoon conditions for the sailors in the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah, presented by NEOM. As the sea-breeze filtered in, bang…
Olympic hopefuls dominate Day One of Sail Melbourne
Some of Australia’s best Olympic sailing prospects lit up day one of a windy Sail Melbourne on Port Phillip today. Matt Wearn (ILCA 7), Zoe Thomson (ILCA 6), Nia Jerwood and Conor Nicholas (Mixed 470), Grae Morris (Men’s iQFOiL), Breiana…
Jimmy Spithill to take the wheel of the Flying Roo in Dubai
Former United States SailGP Team driver and CEO Jimmy Spithill will replace Australia’s Tom Slingsby at the Dubai event due to family commitments SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 1 December 2023 – Two-time America’s Cup winner and former United States SailGP Team…
Official practice raceday in Jeddah
What a difference a day makes. After the swells and wind of yesterday’s race management practice, today the Red Sea served up flat water and a northerly airflow with a windspeed that hovered around 10 knots for the Official Practice…
Gran Canaria shines on SSL Gold Cup 1/4 Finals Day 3
Tuesday’s light winds meant we only had two races, so Wednesday was catch-up time, with the wind playing ball, delivering a beautiful 8 knots. A daunting six races were scheduled – physically and mentally draining for the teams and race…
Matt Wearn Wins AIS Male Athlete of the Year Award
Reigning Olympic and World ILCA 7 Champion, Matt Wearn, has added to his glittering list of accomplishments in 2023 by being named the Male Athlete of the Year at the AIS Sport Performance Awards in Melbourne. Wearn was rewarded for…
New owners and skipper announced for United States SailGP Team
Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund to lead investor group in acquisition of U.S. team with owners Ryan and Margaret McKillen and Mike Buckley NEW YORK – November 29, 2023 – SailGP’s United States team has been purchased by technology investor…
WASZP – Rankings Battle heats-up
High Stakes and Intense Battle Mark the Road to the International WASZP Games In an adrenaline-fueled season of sailing, the WASZP rankings have witnessed an epic showdown between the titans of the class, setting the stage for a gripping finale…
Manly Skiffs Club Championships Heats 4 and 5
Dave O’Connor admits he’s still not completely over the national title he “lost” in extraordinary circumstances almost a year ago. In fact, he reckons there’s a chance he’ll never fully recover. “I probably put on a brave face at the…
Pained expressions on Day 2 of the SSL Gold Cup 1/4 Finals in Gran Canaria
Light winds bring emotions to the fore on yachts. Situations can change in an instant, and the whole scenario can be understood just from looking at a sailor’s face. Anyone who has sailed in very light winds can relate to…
Jeddah – first impressions of a Red Sea wonder
The Red Sea city of Jeddah on the most western coastline of Saudi Arabia is an arresting, stunning sensory experience, and a truly outstanding place for international yachting. The vision to hold the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah, presented by…
Tense & Tactical Opener to the SSL Gold Cup 1/4 Finals
After the breathless and heart-stopping moments we saw on Fantastic Friday, the start of the SSL Gold Cup 1/4 Finals in Gran Canaria was a far less frenetic light wind affair. Light airs led to lackadaisical sailing at times, with…
ORCV Bass Strait Sprint sees GINAN sail to victory
The second West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint race sailed in light, and tricky conditions in Bass Strait saw Nigel Jones GINAN lead the way and come away the victor. Jones commented, “conditions were variable; we were preparing for storms yet applying sunscreen”. Skippers and crews were…
Emirates Youth Team hopefuls spend a week on trial
The group of 8 Youth Emirates Team New Zealand hopefuls undertook a busy four day schedule embarking on a steep learning curve encompassing the technical systems and software required to sail the AC40 as well as race training and simulation…
Two in a row for Charisma as Aleph Racing tops the table at the 44Cup Calero Marinas
Dutchman Nico Poons was unable to stay dry once ashore from the final day of racing at the 44Cup Calero Marinas. As is tradition, RC44 Class President Chris Bake encouraged him to take a plunge in celebration of his Charisma…
Pacific Games – Sailors seal first week of Pacific Games
Written by AOC Australia has won two gold, a silver and a bronze medal after a week of sailing at Iumi Water Park, with the young sailing team revelling in the international regatta opportunity. Eighteen-year-old Evie Saunders won gold in…
Jimmy Spithill to depart US and set up Italy SailGP team
by Miranda Blazeby, Digital Editor SailGP Driver Jimmy Spithill has announced his departure from the United States SailGP Team, indicating the sale of the team. Speaking to apnews.com, Spithill didn’t reveal specifics of the sale, but did confirm that the new…
18ft Skiffs – NSW Championship, Races 1 and 2
NSW Championship, Races 1 and 2 Today’s Trophy: W.C. ‘Trappy’ Duncan Mem. Trophy Today’s Race Sponsor: Marine Outlet The defending champion Andoo team of John Winning Jr, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton hold a narrow lead after the first…
Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship ends in a thriller
The 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) was decided over two offshore windward/leeward courses today and Bob Cox’s Nine Dragons along with Jack Stening and Colin Gunn’s Stormaway, came away the victors, Stenning commenting, “The final…
Two Capes Race into Dark and Stormy Bay
Words: Liz RountreePhotos: Colleen DarceyORC winner KD4 (and winner of recent Maria)IRC winner Sundowner (winner of last year’s Launceston to Hobart)Line Honours winner Fork in the RoadPHS winner Invincible Bakewell White Fork in the Road took Line Honours in the…
Aleph consolidates off Puerto Calero as Charisma eyes the 2023 title
The 44Cup Calero Marinas, the final event of the 2023 44Cup, has become a two horse race going into the final day. Once again today the star performers among the high performance owner-driver one designs were Aleph Racing and Team…
GWA Wingfoil – Cappuzzo claims his first ever World Title
Report from day four – Cauipe, BrazilWords: Liam DredgePhoto: Svetlana Romantsova Four days of non-stop competition have been delivered during the final event of the GWA this year. During days one, two, and three the focus was mainly driven on…
A bit of Zen and two hands work magic at Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen and Mistral, sail two-handed by Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea, were the beneficiaries of wins on Day 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 2023 Nautilus Marine InsuranceSydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), sailed offshore today. Ketelbey’s…
Specky and Techy Race to the Capes
Words: Liz Rountree The Two Capes Race returns for it’s third year, drawing seasoned salts and newbies, 29 to 50 footers and crews ranging from 18 to almost 80. With the previous two years of “Champagne conditions”, expectations are high…
GWA Wingfoil – Bowien wins the Surf-Freestyle discipline in Brazil
Report from day three | Cauipe, Brazil | Words: Liam Dredge | Photo: Svetlana Romantsova After focusing on the men for the initial two days, the 12 enthusiastic women entered the competition with anticipation. The venue for the competition, whether…
Perfection & Pain in SSL Gold Cup 1/8 Finals
Just when we thought we’d seen it all in Gran Canaria, the SSL Gold Cup took it to a whole new level on the Golden Day of the 1/8 Finals. Double points meant it all came down to today’s performance…
Aleph Racing to the fore on light shifty day at the 44Cup Puerto Calero
They say in yacht racing that when conditions are light, flukey and difficult to predict, it is all about keeping a cool head and avoiding the big results. Italian sailors are renowned for excelling in this as they are the…
Geelong appoints the Festival of Sails’ inaugural Youth Ambassador
Young local sailing star, 17-year-old Evie McDonald from Geelong has been appointed the Festival of Sails’ inaugural Youth Ambassador. Sailing from the age of 8 with the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Evie’s sailing career has blossomed and seen her go…
Charisma survives snakes and ladder opening day of 44Cup Calero Marinas
Leaders, favourites and defending champions, Nico Poons’ Charisma got off to a solid start on the opening day of the 44Cup Calero Marinas, the final event of the 2023 44Cup. The Dutchman’s Monaco-flagged RC44 leads after three races, but by…
GWA Wingfoil – Malo Guenole signs off 2023 with the Surf-Freestyle victory
Report from day two | Cauipe, Brazil | Words: Liam Dredge | Photo: Svetlana Romantsova From the first heat to the last, the focus on day two was to wrap up and crown the Men’s Surf-Freestyle event winner here in…
SailGP highlights commitment to climate action with first ever Race For The Future takeover in Dubai
DUBAI – November 23, 2023 – SailGP, a global leader in purpose driven and sustainable sport, will highlight its ongoing commitment and passion to climate action with the first of many Race For The Future takeovers at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand…
1/8 Finals SSL Gold Cup – Day 3
Another day in glorious Gran Canaria, with more sunshine, more warmth and a beautiful 10 to 13 knot breeze for the powerful SSL 47 yachts to devour. Day 3 is arguably the most important of each round, setting the tone…
Finn 2023 season wrap up
IFA President Rob McMillan sums up the past season in his address in the new issue of the Finn magazine – FINNFARE. “As 2023 closes I hope that you can all look back on memorable Finn sailing moments with our…
2023 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing line-up confirmed
The 2023 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship will once again host some of the World’s best youth match racing talent, with competitors travelling from across the world, including UK and Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil, as well as a strong…
New French team experiences the heat of 44Cup competition
The 44Cup’s trial boat, which teams can use to gain first-hand experience racing the high performance, owner-driver RC44 one design, has had a busy 2023 season. This started in Muscat driven by an Oman Sail crew, then had Louise Morton’s…
18ft Skiffs – NSW Championship Preview
The race towards the 2024 JJs begins this weekend The recently completed Australian 18 Footers League Spring Championship produced some exciting fleet racing over the past six weeks and a magnificent spectacle of unbelievable spinnaker action in a 28-knot ‘black…
2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Media Launch
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2023 – DARLING POINT, SYDNEY A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners, will take on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78th running…
GWA Wingfoil – Final event kicks off with Men’s Surf-Freestyle
Report from day one – Cauipe, BrazilWords: Liam DredgePhoto: Svetlana Romantsova We are entering this final event of the GWA calendar, having already crowned our Surf-Freestyle champions last month in Tarifa. Christopher MacDonald (USA) and Nia Suardiaz (ESP) enter this…
