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Boats faster, technology smarter, what about the sailors?

by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 4 Oct 2012
IDEC and Francis Joyon averaged over 27 kts in 24 hours Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI / IDEC http://www.trimaran-idec.com/
The boats are getting faster, the technology is getting smarter and let's just hope that sailors are also getting more skillful. Otherwise we shall have to depend on the rescuers getting braver and more plentiful.

A French sailor has just beaten 27 knots averaged over a 24 hour period on a trimaran. What a buzz that must have been for him. Sailing on a boat that can't do much better than 6 knots, I do find it hard to visualize.

There were no rescuers around when a yacht got into trouble on a remote Fijian reef this week. The story had a happy ending only because of the quick actions of some divers who happened to hear their SOS in a local resort.

I love the fact that there are so many awards for innovation these days. It no doubt stretches the imagination of innovators, as the winners are awarded extensive free publicity for their products. The latest is from IBEX, the International BoatBuilders Exhibition and Conference, held in Kentucky, USA.

A smorgasbord of news from all corners of the map this week again, so browse the headlines to see what catches your interest.

Sweet sailing!
Rooster 2025Armstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTER

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