ISAF World Cup, RC44s, RKJ—Sailing news from the U.S. and beyond

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 23 Apr 2014 The world’s sailing attention is currently riveted to Hyrès, France, where the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères 2014 is taking place through April 26, with intense racing action across all Olympic classes. 1,111 sailors from 59 different nations are gathered in Hyrès to speed check against the same rivals that they will face at the Rio Olympics 2016. According to reports, a large low-pressure system is currently sweeping across Europe, churning up stiff winds and adding spice to already hyper-competitive racecourses.

'Hyeres is a fantastic event,' said Matthew Belcher, the Gold medal-winning 470 skipper from the London Olympics 2012, as well as the skipper of Team Australia’s challenge for the 35th America’s Cup. 'It's a regatta we can't afford to miss on the circuit and we always try to prepare the best we can for the extreme conditions.'

'I think the timing is quite critical for us,' continued Belcher, who, along with crewmember Will Ryan, are currently leading the Men’s 470 class. 'We warmed-up in Palma and we've come here in better shape. They run a really good regatta [here], we've got almost 1,200 competitors and we love competing here.'

US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes are experiencing a somewhat sluggish start to the regatta, with a few notable exceptions. At the time of this writing, Americans Anne Haeger and Briana Provancha are currently sitting in the pole position in the Women’s 470 class, Caleb Paine is currently occupying third-place in the Finns and Stuart McNay and David Hughes are holding-down seventh place in the Men’s 470 class.

Be sure to get the full report from the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères 2014, inside this issue, including image galleries from several top shooters, and stay tuned to the website for more racecourse news, as it becomes known.

Also in Europe, the RC44 class’ Cascais Cup (April 23 to 27) kicks off tomorrow, with new faces joining the ranks of the class’ race-hardened veterans. The Clube Naval de Cascais is hosting this Grand Prix event, which is being contested on the Bay of Cascais.

'It has never been easy to win in this class but there are a lot of guys coming back from the America’s Cup and the teams are really stacking themselves up with some serious talent,' Ben Graham, Team Aqua's grinder. 'It was hard in the BVI’s and I have no doubt it will be hard for the rest of the year, but that's what makes it fun.'

Meanwhile, sailing historians will remember that today-April 22-marks both Earth Day and the 45th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s nonstop circumnavigation during the 1969 Sunday Times Golden Globe race. When he crossed the race’s finishing line, Knox-Johnston (AKA 'RKJ') became the first person to sail solo and unassisted nonstop around the world. This impressive feat-pulled off at a time without many of the modern safety and navigation equipment that offshore sailors often take for granted-set the scene for today’s offshore ocean races and clearly redefined the possibilities of offshore sailing.

'Ocean racing has always been a fundamental part of my life, and as I prepare for my latest solo challenge at what feels like the ripe age of 75, I am delighted to say that my thirst for the thrills and adventures has not ceased,' reported Knox-Johnston, who is planning to race in this year’s Route de Rhum. 'Solo sailing is where I feel most at home,' Sir Robin confessed. 'No one else can benefit you or let you down; it is all in my hands.'

Get the full report on Knox-Johnston’s impressive anniversary, inside this issue.

Also inside, get the latest reports from the Clipper Round the World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race and Key West Race Week 2015 (January 18-23).

And finally, for anyone who loves wooden boats and bluewater, be sure to spend some time scrolling through Jude Robertson’s image gallery from day four of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

May the four winds blow you safely home,