Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

OD news and an offshore drama—Sailing news from the U.S. and beyond

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 29 Apr 2013
2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres - Laser Radial Day 4 Thom Touw http://www.thomtouw.com
Recent sailing headlines have been dominated by the ISAF Sailing World Cup, which just took place in Hyères, France. Here, international Olympic hopefuls arrived to speed check against the world’s best and also to represent their country on an extremely visible world stage. Racing concluded on Saturday, with U.S. athletes earning a respectable fourth-place finish in the Women’s 470 (Anne Haeger and Briana Provancha), a 13th in the Women’s 470 (this time by Sydney Bolger and Sarah Lihan), as well as a 15th in the 49er FX (Kristen Lane and Christine Neville) class.

'Obviously they’re out of the blocks in the quad having some strong performances both in individual races,' said Charlie McKee, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider’s High Performance Director, about Haeger and Provancha). 'They’ve done three regattas here in Europe and they’ve done well in all three. There’s an example of a lot of hard work of training at home. They come here and are able to compete with the top people, so it’s encouraging for them and a credit to what they’ve done so far.'



While the week didn’t finish on the strongest note for the U.S.-flagged team, McKee is optimistic that the team’s overall course and direction are solid. 'It was a bit of a tough week for us as a team,' said McKee. 'We had some moments of strong performances, but overall it was a good reminder that we’re not really on top in many classes and we have quite a lot of work to do before we can deliver consistent performances on the international stage.'

The good news, says McKee, is that the team learned some important lessons on their recent European trip. 'People are ready to take those lessons and tailor their domestic training,' said McKee. 'We have to get faster and we have to get more consistent… Most important is that we are driving things from these experiences that are making us better.'

Get the full post-racing, multi-media debriefing from the ISAF Sailing World Cup, inside this issue.



Also in offshore news, U.S. Classe Mini sailor Jeff MacFarlane was rescued off the deck of his stricken craft by a Spanish Coast Guard helicopter during what was supposed to be a routine one thousand mile solo qualifier run for the Mini-Transat race. According to reports, MacFarlane was sailing in strong winds when his boat suffered catastrophic failure. The Spanish Coast Guard brought MacFarlane to a hospital on the Spanish island of Menorca, where he received treatment for multiple fractures to his left hand; MacFarlane’s Mini was later found and towed to shore.

'I am still determined to go forward with this campaign,' said MacFarlane. 'While I never want to go through this again, I do know that I am capable of survival. I also must thank the Spanish Coast Guard, the Hospital Mateu Orfila and especially the hospitality of Sarah and Jeff Davis. Finally I am heartened and amazed by the network of sailors and friends, led by my fiancée Laura Tillsley who through Facebook and Skype secured a ride from the hospital, a bed to sleep in and logistic assistance, which will result in my boat being on dry land in a matter of hours.'



Also inside, get the latest news from the 505 Worlds, the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, the Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series, and the PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf.



And finally, don’t miss ace lensman Leighton O’Connor’s great image gallery from Boston Yacht Clubs’ Jackson Cup. Enjoy!

May the four winds blow you safely home,

sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZSydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

The oldest video footage of Moth sailing
A look back into our video archive, to when the name of this class first settled down We delve into our video archive to find the oldest possible videos that show Moth racing. Are these International Moths, British Moths... or was the name still Olive, Inverloch 11ft, National Moth or Brent One-Design?!
Posted on 6 Jul
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago.
Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina.
Posted on 1 Jul
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more...
Posted on 25 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom.
Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality.
Posted on 17 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season.
Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s.
Posted on 15 Jun
Nick Olson on PredictWind's newest features
Nick Olson discusses PredictWind's newest features PredictWind has long been a leader in presenting high-quality marine forecasts. Nick Olson discusses the company's newest features.
Posted on 12 Jun