Socrates does it again...and again

by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 2 Aug 2012 While the Olympics has everyone on the edges of their seats, there's no competition for the sailing skills, seamanship and bravery of almost-70-year-old Jeanne Socrates, nowhere near London and doing her own thing. Just as she is about to arrive Canada and claim more sailing records, she is already planning her next record attempt, this time a non-stop circumnavigation.

While Jeanne is creating new records now, there seems to be a resurgence going on in the world for preserving our sailing past. Over in Rhode Island the annual Classic Yacht Parade will honour their sailing heritage at the beginning of September, down in New Zealand this month an intrepid group of sailors will recreate past achievements by sailing from New Zealand to Easter Island in traditional craft, and in the UK a group of incognito individuals are recreating one of Britain's iconic sailing boats, the Britannia, which was scuttled in 1936 – Read why...

Rallies are in the news: Trevor Joyce talks of his French Riviera Rally and a grass roots rally with no joining fee is gaining popularity rapidly – the charismatically titled 'Salty Dawg Rally' between the Caribbean and America's eastern states. But you don't need to own a boat to go on sailing holidays with like-minded people – read our article about flotilla sailing.

The greatest solar vessel in the world might just have finished its circumnavigation, but another group is trying to demonstrate that you don't have to spend a lot of money to go boating without fossil fuels. Ra, totally powered by solar, is currently embarked on sailing the USA's 'Great Loop.'

In practical news, John Jamieson talks about preserving the life of your lines on your deck and we've featured the Super Rope Cinch as a very simple 'must have' for your boat.

Much more too, so browse down the headlines to find your interest, and...

Sweet Sailing!