Sail-World.com : Vendee Globe highs and lows—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond

News Home

Cruising

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Sail-World.com : Vendee Globe highs and lows—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond

Vendee Globe highs and lows—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond

'Francois Gabart, Macif - 2012 Vendee Globe' Vincent Curutchet / DPPI / Vendée Globe ©

It’s been an action packed few days of offshore racing in the singlehanded, nonstop-around-the-world-alone Vendee Globe Race, with some highs and lows playing out on different boats. Francois Gabart ('MACIF'), a young newcomer to the Vendee and to serious singlehanded offshore racing, managed to set a (unratified) new 24-hour record for a singlehanded monohull earlier this week, reeling off a jaw-dropping 545.3 miles. Impressively, Vendee skippers have upped this benchmark by more than 75 miles over the current (read: ratified) 24-hour record (468.72), which Alex Thomson ('Hugo Boss') set back in 2003 when he himself was a young buck. Even sweeter for Gabart is that he is currently leading the fleet of 13 IMOCA 60s, followed by Armel Le Cleac’h ('Banque Populaire') and Jean-Pierre Dick ('Virbac Paprec 3').

Unfortunately for Thomson and Swiss skipper Bernard Stamm ('Cheminees Poujoulat'), lows often follow highs. For Thomson, this came in the form of a broken rudder assembly, which took some 15 hours to repair and dropped him from a Top Three position to fourth on the leaderboard. The good news for Thomson is that he can now steer his vessel at pace; the lingering hangover is that the broken rudder irreparably damaged one of his hydro-generators, thus forcing the British skipper to seriously reduce his power draw (read: communications) for the rest of the race in order to stay in the fight.

Bernard Stamm, Cheminées Poujoulat - 2012 Vendee Globe - Vincent Curutchet / DPPI

For Stamm, the low spot came in the form of a broken molar, which required some onboard, DIY dentistry. Stamm’s team was fortunately able to give him good instructions on how to file and fill his tooth, but there’s little doubt that this was a 'character-building' experience, especially in the wilds of the Southern Ocean. Get the full Vendee report, inside this issue.

WILD OATS XI racing in the Big Boat Challenge - Andrea Francolini_©

And in Sydney, Australia, the serious toys came out to play in the Big Boat Challenge, with Bob Oatley’s two maxi’s, the 100-foot 'Wild Oats XI' and the 66-foot 'Wild Oats X', taking home top honors. While the big boat faced little real competition, 'Wild Oats X' had a serious tussle with her R/P 66 sister ship, 'Black Jack'. Get the full report, as well as some awesome image galleries, inside.

'Black Jack' racing in the Big Boat Challenge - Andrea Francolini_©

Also inside, get the latest news from the Youth America’s Cup and the World Yacht Racing Forum, as well as the preview reports of this year’s Sydney-Hobart Race.

May the four winds blow you safely home,

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor

Tweet

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=104630

1:46 AM Wed 12 Dec 2012GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

News - USA and the World

Miami Sailing Week – Bacardi Cup preview by Icarus Sailing Media

Miami Sailing Week (BMSW) presented by EFG Bank will kick off with 173 boats traveling to Coconut Grove to compete in the 88th Bacardi Cup ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Leg 4 finishes at night after a tense day *Feature by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

The finish was more like that of a short 100nm race around the Hauraki Gulf. Instead, the first three boats to cross the finish line at the end of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race arrived mid-evening. ... [more]

Barcelona World Race – 60 Days at Sea– Atlantic opens up for the fleet by Barcelona World Race Media

Barcelona World Race – After the limits of the southern oceans imposed by the combination of the weather systems and the safety barrier of the Antarctic Exclusion Zone, the Atlantic is opening up for the top trio. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Images from Auckland - Media Conference and more by Volvo Ocean Race

Images from Auckland of the media conference on Sunday and prizegivings for Leg 4 ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Iker Martinez returns to Mapfre as skipper by Volvo Ocean Race and Sail-World

At the media conference held the morning after the finish of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, Mapfre skipper Xabi Fernandez announced that regular skipper Iker Martinez will be back on board for the next leg and most of the remainder of the race. Fernandez had taken over the role, skippering Mapfre to a 4th place on Leg 3 and a win on Leg 4. ... [more]

Farr 40 International Circuit - Plenty team hungry for more by Farr 40 Class Association

Farr 40 International Circuit - Alex Roepers doesn't like to dwell in the past. However, when prompted, the New York businessman will talk about the magical run he and the crew aboard Plenty enjoyed during the 2014 Farr 40 International Circuit. To the contrary, the thrill of victory only made Roepers and the Plenty team hungry for more. ... [more]

Coast Guard continues search for San Diego sailor by Coast Guard News

Coast Guard crews continue the search Monday for Richard Byhre, the 76-year-old sailor who did not return from his sailing trip as expected. ... [more]

Sonar Class has a new builder for Sonar by Bruce Kirby

The International Sonar Class is pleased to announce that Shumway Marine, with the cooperation of designer Bruce Kirby has made arrangements to have the Sonar built by Rondar Race Boats in the U.K., with plans eventually to have the boat built on both sides of the ocean. The American Rondar facility is in Peabody, MA. Rondar, expects to launch its first Sonar in April. ... [more]

Rio officials probe source of fish die-off in Olympic waters by Jenny Barchfield

Rio de Janeiro's state environmental agency says it is investigating a fish die-off that has left thousands of carcasses floating in waters where sailing events are to be held when Brazil hosts next year's Olympics. ... [more]

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta - An island-wide effort by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

This year's 35th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is nothing less than an island-wide effort. Besides the sponsors, countless volunteers and the numerous local organizations that offer their excellent services, the Regatta Organizers would like to say special thanks to the hotels which are so generous to donate complimentary hotel rooms for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Images ashore after Leg 4 by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Sail-World's NZ Editor, Richard Gladwell, was on the water and ashore for the finish of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race, and provided this gallery of images after the first three boats had docked. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Images from the finish of Leg 4 by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Sail-World's NZ Editor, Richard Gladwell, was on the water for the finish of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean race, and captured these images from the final few miles of the race, and on the dock. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race-Brasileiro ajuda barco espanhol a vencer quarta etapa by Volvo Ocean Race

O MAPFRE conquistou de maneira emocionante a quarta etapa da Volvo Ocean Race, disputada entre a China e a Nova Zelândia. Na manhã deste sábado (28), o barco espanhol cruzou a linha de chegada em primeiro após quase 21 dias de navegação. ... [more]

RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show - a British tradition by Rob Kothe and Jedda Murphy

Our favourite boat show in the whole world is the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show. It is like no other, with a large percentage of eight to 15-year olds, with many young siblings often dragging their parents down the aisles. Its a dull overcast day in Lonon with rain showers, but inside the heated halls of the Alexandra Palace, the fabled 'Ally Pally' , around 5,000 visitors will gaze at touch and feel ... [more]

Eight minutes between Podium players as Spanish win VOR leg 4 by Volvo

MAPFRE (Xabi Fernández/ESP) emerged victorious despite a pair of major setbacks in Leg 4 following one of the tightest-fought finishes in Volvo Ocean Race history on Saturday night. The victory gives the 2014-15 edition its fourth winner in four legs following successes for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker/GBR), Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking/NED), and Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier/FRA). ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 4 - fleet arrives in Auckland and the winner is by Sail-world

Mapfre took the gun, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing was second and Dongfeng third. Photographer Ainhoa Sanchez was in the air over Auckland for 2014 – 2015 Volvo Ocean Race, and provided these images. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 4 - the fleet approaches Auckland by Sail-World

Photographer Ainhoa Sanchez was in the air as the fleet approached Auckland for the end of leg 4 for the 2014 – 2015 Volvo Ocean Race, and provided this gallery of images. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race - Less than 10 miles to Auckland finish by Volvo Ocean Race

The wind has switched half turn and boats are now beating upwind to the finish, MAPFRE has held their lead and with the change in direction look quite safe. Team Alvimedica who was catching up at speed has slowed right up, caught in light winds behind Tiritiri Matangi island. With less than 10nm to go to finish and a fair 10kt wind holding, the slow patch looks to have been removed from equation ... [more]

2015 RORC Caribbean 600 - Third time lucky for happy Hap by Louay Habib

2015 RORC Caribbean 600 - Hap Fauth's American JV72, Bella Mente has been declared the overall winner. Whilst several yachts are still racing, by the morning of Friday 27th February none of the remaining teams had the ability to better Bella Mente's corrected time under IRC. It was third time lucky for Bella Mente as the Maxi 72 has finished second overall for the past two years. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Leg 4 Finish - Auckland - Live Video and Updates by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Catch the live coverage of the Leg 4 Finish in Auckland. Check the video timer for a countdown to the start of coverage and the expected race finish time. Sail-World is updating the on the water action and weather - which has compressed the lead four boats ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - Neutrogena crosses Cape Horn with 40 knots wind by Barcelona World Race

Racing in second place in the Barcelona World Race, the Barcelona sailor Guillermo Altadill and Chilean José Muñoz passed Cape Horn (67° 17' 35 W) this morning at 2h12 UTC (3h12 am in Barcelona, 11h12 pm of the 27th of February in Chile), after 58 days, 14 hours and 12 minutes of racing since their start from the Catalan capital on 31 December 2014. ... [more]

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta - Natty Rico will close the final night by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

On Sunday March 8th 2015, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will close out the final night of music with one of the most distinctive performances to date. DJ Natty Rico will be the final act to grace the regatta stage during the 'Legendary Party' following Kool and the Gang. His unique blend of saxophone playing and DJ skills will have your jaw dropping in amazement. ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - At Cape Horn memories are made. and recalled by Barcelona World Race

Barcelona World Race - Cape Horn beckons for second and third placed Neutrogena and GAES Centros Auditivos. While the two IMOCA 60s are expected to pass at speed with around six hours of separation, in what might be considered favourable conditions for one of the most inhospitable and complicated corners of the Barcelona World Race, amidst the long hours of stress and fatigue ... [more]

Big winds for SCYA Manning Regatta at ABY Club by Rich Roberts

SCYA Manning Regatta – The youth-heavy event is the fourth and last stop of the Shadden Series for teenagers under 19 not yet in college and is also a move-up regatta under the advancement guidelines of the International Naples Sabot Association. ... [more]

Hutchinson and Roble honored at US Sailing’s Rolex Awards ceremony by US Sailing

US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year Awards 2015 ceremony celebrated the sailing accomplishments of Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.) and Stephanie Roble (East Troy, Wisc.) as it returned to the iconic Model Room at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan after having moved to the west coast for the past three years. ... [more]

Finn World Masters Championships 2015 - Pre registration open by Robert Deaves

For the Finn World Masters in Kavala, Greece pre-registration is open. So far 130 Masters have entered. 2015 will be the first time the Worlds Masters have been held in Greece. ... [more]

Registration for the 2015 Finn European Championship is live! by Robert Deaves

The website for the 2015 Finn Open and Junior Europeans in Split, Croatia, is now live, with online entry open. The last time the Finns had an event there the wind did not cooperate and the fleet ended up sailing some races as the sun set. ... [more]

RORC Caribbean 600, day 4 – Classic Focus and Four Figaro II teams by RORC Event Press

RORC Caribbean 600 – Four Figaro II teams, all from the Guadeloupe Grand Large sailing academy, are racing in this year's event. 18 sailors from the offshore racing academy are racing on four identical yachts and have high aspirations for the future; the Solitaire du Figaro, Route du Rhum or the Everest of offshore solo-sailing, the Vendée Globe. ... [more]

Hutchinson, Roble honored in New York as Best of 2014 by Jake Fish

After having moved to the west coast for the past three years, US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards ceremony returned to the iconic Model Room at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan to celebrate the sailing accomplishments of Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.) and Stephanie Roble (East Troy, Wisc.). ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - Pedestrian Pacific, Atlantic highway to home by Barcelona World Race

If, in the end, the Pacific gave up race leaders Cheminées Poujoulat without too much of a fight and since Wednesday morning the Atlantic, in turn, has opened its fastest toll-free lane north east to Bernard Stamm and Jean Le Cam, the Pacific seems rather more keen to hold on to second and third placed Neutrogena and GAES Centros Auditivos. ... [more]

America's Cup: Artemis Racing lines up against Oracle Team USA - Video by John Navas

America's Cup Defender Oracle Team USA and Challenger, Artemis Racing lined up for a series of try-outs on San Francisco Bay. Videographer John Navas was shoreside with a new high resolution video camera and provided these videos of the training sessions and hook-ups. ... [more]

High Performance Yacht Design conference during Volvo OR stopover by Graeme Finch

The HPYD conference is jointly organised by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (NZ) and The University of Auckland and will be held at the Marine Event Centre in Auckland to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover. It attracts some of the world’s most preeminent yacht designers and is recognised as one of the top three conferences in this area internationally. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Ryan Houston - How Alvimedica's chemistry works *Feature by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com NZL

Ryan Houston is a watch captain aboard Team Alvimedica. He sailed in two previous editions of the Volvo Ocean Race – in 2008-09 aboard Delta Lloyd and 2011-12 on the incident plagued Volvo 70, Sanya. With the switch to the one design, ruggedly constructed Volvo 65 for this race many of the issues that bedevilled the competitors and organisers in the previous races appear to have been resolved. ... [more]