Warm-water ocean racing—Sailing news from the U.S. and beyond

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 20 Feb 2013 Passage records are (almost) made to be broken and the fabled 'Golden Route' run from New York City to San Francisco is no different. Skipper Giovanni Soldini and his 'Maserati' crew left the Big Apple aboard their Volvo Open 70 on December 31, 2012 and reeled off some 13,225 miles in just 47 days, 0 hours, 42 minutes and 29 seconds-a far cry from the days when cargo-laden Clipper ships were plying the waters of this historic route. According to reports, the crew enjoyed a peaceful rounding of Cape Horn, as well as fast passage on both sides of South America.

'We are exceedingly happy!' reported Soldini. 'The Golden Route is an historic record, a very important and challenging one. Now it will bear the colors of the Italian flag. 'Maserati' proved to be extremely powerful, strong and reliable. The crew has been extraordinary over these 47 days, everyone was prepared to face even the hardest situation.' Get the full report, inside this issue.

Also offshore related but in considerably warmer climes, the Caribbean 600 is in full swing, offering the fortunate few a magnificent taste of trade-winds racing and bathtub-warm water. According to reports, the fleet has been experiencing plenty of breeze (gusts to 28 knots) and great offshore swells since the starting guns sounded.

'Just amazing racing, all the crew were grinning from ear to ear as we blasted downwind with the sunset lighting up the spinnaker,' reported skipper Andreas Hanakamp from his Class 40, 'Vaquita'. Get the full scoop, inside, and be sure to stay tuned into the website this week for updates from this spectacular-sounding race, as they unfurl.

Meanwhile, the Pineapple Cup-Montego Bay Race just wrapped up in Montego Bay, Jamaica after delivering 811 miles' worth of sun, fun and great breeze to the participating sailors. At the front of the fleet, George Sakellaris’ Reichel/Pugh 72, 'Shockwave', narrowly missed setting a new course record, and all racers across all classes enjoyed fast conditions.

'This was a true team effort for the 'Shockwave' crew that [owner] George Sakellaris and his captain, Reggie Cole, have spent two years assembling,' said Robbie Doyle, Shockwave’s tactician. 'Despite fresh and often changing conditions, sail handling went without a hitch, and the damage report was almost nil.'

Also inside, get the latest news from the upcoming Gaastra 52 World Championships, which will take place off of Miami’s South Beach in early March; get the latest updates from the ongoing JJ Giltinan Trophy, and don’t miss the news from the Harken Youth International Match Racing Championships. Lastly, be sure to get the download from the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series, which are taking place this week on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy!

May the four winds blow you safely home,