Finish lines, TP52s and Extreme Action - Europe and World Sailing News

by Anna Parker and The Sail-World Team on 12 Feb 2013 Sailing around the world is an adventure of a lifetime. Whilst it may not exactly be all ‘fun and games’, skippers that brave the open, deep water - such as that of the Southern Ocean, see and hear things that many will never have such an opportunity to experience for themselves. This is the case for the skippers that have been sailing in the solo-round the world Vendee Globe.

The course back to Les Sables D’Olonne was filled with a wealth of highs and lows for the skippers. By now, we know that Francois Gabart on Macif claimed first place but, now numerous others have also safely sailed across the finish line. Frenchman Bertrand de Broc onboard Votre Nom Autour du Monde avec EDM Projets finished on Sunday 10 February 2013 after 92 days five hours 10 minutes and 14 seconds at sea – claiming ninth place. Fellow Frenchmen Jean Le Cam on Synerciel and Arnaud Boissières onboard Akena Verandas have also finished – taking fifth and eighth places respectively.

Vladimir Liubomirov, Commodore of The Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg, came up with an idea to organize a race across the Baltic Sea bridging Russia and Europe through a competitive sailing race - The Nord Stream Race. In 2012, the inaugural edition of the race took place with Team Russia claiming the overall victory. Dates for the second edition have been announced with the first start commencing on Sunday 15th of September from Flensburg Fjord, Bornholm.

Meanwhile, Extreme Sailing Series action is heating up with Act 1 is set to take place in Muscat, Oman from the 5th-8th March. Built around the successful team who took the D35 championship in 2012 with the Realstone Sailing boat, a new professional sailing team has announced their entry into the 2013 Series – Realteam who will sail under the Swiss flag.

In other news, the inaugural TP52 Southern Cross Cup 2013 was a roaring success, Sail-World`s reports from the event were read with interest world-wide. In the end, the truly international Team Beau Geste proved too strong for the locals, finishing four points ahead of Marcus Blackmore’s class act, Hooligan.

Congratulations to all the owners, crews, organisers and race officials for a great event and to John Curnow, Lisa Ratcliff for their excellent report and Teri Dodds for her great photos.

Action for the J Class is also on the rise with the announcement of the J/97 Europcup set to take place 21st – 24th August. The overall results will determine both the winner of The Lombard J/97 UK National Championship, and now the European Championship also.

And finally, be sure to check out the latest reports from sailing action around the world.

Until next time, we wish you fair winds and good sailing,