|
 Offshore and inshore showdowns—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond
 | | Spindrift Racing - Krys Ocean Race 2012 Spindrift Racing |
While the five-strong fleet of MOD70 trimarans only left New York City for Brest, France—a passage of 2,950 miles—on July 7, these wind-powered speed machines have already passed the halfway mark in the Krys Ocean Race. Currently, skipper Yann Guichard and his crew aboard Spindrift Racing are maintaining a solid lead over their competition.
'We continue on the edge of the front on a long port tack with a stable 24 to 26 knots of wind but it continues to be a struggle doing any manoeuvres,' said Guichard. 'We are not really powered up fully and are taking care because the sea state determines how much sail we [can] have up. We range between a having a one reef and using either the Solent or the genoa, depending on the sea state.'
Elsewhere in the fleet, Musandam-Oman Sail and Race for Water both sustained daggerboard damage. According to the latest reports, Race for Water has managed a jury rig solution and have returned to the hunt. 'We have settled into to life on board after three days,' said Stève Ravussin, skipper of Race for Water. It is still very damp and we all have bruises all over the place. Every time we nose dive we all get thrown forwards. In the bunks we find ourselves with our knees right up against the partition!' Get the full download, inside this issue.
Also offshore but on the Left Coast, the 'Vic-Maui' race (aka the Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race) is in full swing, with 14 boats sprinting from the lovely island town of Victoria, British Columbia, for the Hawaiian bliss known as Maui. The fleet is split into racers (11) and cruisers (three), with Tom Huseby's Seattle-based J/145 Double Take leading the hunt. More, as it becomes known.
 | | Franck Cammas: perfectionism personified - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Ian Roman/Volvo Ocean Race© |
And in Volvo Ocean Race circles, don't miss the profile on Franck Cammas, skipper of Groupama 4, who just recently won the 2011/2012 edition of this fully crewed, around-the-world ocean race. While there's no question that Cammas is a truly gifted offshore sailor, his reputation for pushing himself and his team are legendary. 'I don't joke with Franck,' said Jean-Luc Nélias, Groupama 4's navigator. 'The context isn't right and he isn't receptive. He isn't an easy guy because he is a demanding guy, not an easy guy to live with. But, he is the boss so it's up to me to adapt myself.' Learn more about this exceedingly quick and driven skipper, inside.
Meanwhile, in inshore circles, the action is hot in Palma, Mallorca at the Real Club Náutico, where the 52 Super Series is being contested. The usual players from the now-defunct TP52 circuit are all in the melee, with plenty of Olympic and AC talent sprinkled throughout the fleet. 'The group right now is meshing well, there's good information flow,' said Ed Baird, skipper of Quantum Racing. 'We had our ups and downs in the last event and with one day to go we were behind, but the guys took that in their stride and it worked out. They are really fighting to improve each and every day.' More, inside, and stay tuned to the website for more information as the regatta plays out.
 | | C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta 2012 Thornton Cohen |
Also inside, get the latest from the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, which is currently taking place in Newport, Rhode Island; the ongoing Clipper Around the World Yacht Race and the La Solitaire du Figaro. And finally, don't miss the multimedia wrap-up report from Act 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series, which just concluded in Porto, Portugal.
May the four winds blow you safely home,
David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor
We are sending you this newsletter because you are already receiving an existing Sail-World newsletter or because we believe this will be of interest to you. If you like this newsletter, do nothing, we will send you regular news.
If you don't, its a single click to stop.
No, I don't need or want to read about US and World sailing news. Please don't send me another. 
|
