ISAF Worlds, fast cats, Cupnews—Sailing news from the U.S. and beyond
by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 19 Sep 2014
Laser Radial - NZL Sailing Team - Day 6, ISAF Sailing World - Santander Yachting NZ/Sailing Energy
http://www.sailingenergy.com/
The big news in international sailing is unfolding in Santander, Spain, where the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships (September 8-21) are now drilling down into their medal races to determine the top sailors in each class. While fickle conditions have caused plenty of headaches for the event organizers and sparked plenty of frustrations amongst the competing sailors, medal racing has (at the time of this writing) concluded in two classes, the Laser and the Laser Radial, minting two new World Champions, Nicholas Heiner (NED) and Marit Bouwmeester (NED).
In the full-rig Men’s Laser class, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider’s Charlie Buckingham finished in seventh place, while Chris Barnard (USA) finished in 16th place. In the Women’s Laser Radial class, Erika Reineke, also of US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, finished in 14th place.
Provided that the wind machine stays switched on, medal racing is expected to take place on Friday in the RS:X Men’s and RS:X Women’s classes, with the other classes wrapping up their racing over the weekend. Inside, get the full media report from Santander, as well as a video feed to watch the racing live, and be sure to stay close to the website this weekend for the latest podium news, as it breaks.
Meanwhile, much closer to home, the 2014 Chicago Match Cup (September 16-21) is taking place at the Chicago Match Race Center. While there are still plenty more starting guns to sound at this top-flight match-racing regatta, the event’s defending champions Taylor Canfield and his 'US One' crew are currently sitting in the pole position, followed by Ian Williams (GBR) and his 'GAC Pindar' squad and Phil Robertson (NZL) and his 'Waka Racing' crew.
'We have raced here for many years,' said Canfield, 'but [we] still learn something every time we race. Today we were feeling a little weak in our downwind legs, but made some adjustments based on what we saw on some other boats.'
And in multihull news, this year’s Hobie Alter Trophy will be decided this weekend (September 19-21) at the Bristol Yacht Club, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Fans of multihull racing will be interested to hear that this is the first time that A-Class Catamarans (AKA 'A-Cats'] have been used to contest the Hobie Alter Trophy, which will also determine the 2014 United States Multihull Champion. Get the full regatta preview, inside this issue, and stay current with the website over the weekend for the latest news.
Speaking of fast multihulls, there have been some interesting developments in the America’s Cup world in the past several days. The six teams that are involved in the 35th America’s Cup have agreed to use modified and fully foiling AC45 class catamarans for the upcoming America’s Cup World Series (possibly as early as 2015). Additionally, the teams also agreed to keep racing the now-foiling 45s in 2018, after the conclusion of the 'AC35' in 2017.
'I’m pleased all of the competitors have agreed on a way forward, beyond the current America’s Cup cycle,' said Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner for the 35th America’s Cup. 'To have the teams give certainty to all stakeholders as to what will happen following the racing in 2017, regardless of who wins, is a huge step forward for all involved.'
Also AC-related, Sir Ben Ainslie recently announced a new partnership with Yamaha UK for his Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) challenge for the 35th America’s Cup at the Southampton Boat Show. Ainslie and his BAR team were presented with two fast new RIBs for use in their campaign, both of which use advanced engine technology to leave a greener, more environmentally friendly wake than traditional outboards.
'We are looking to race sustainably for the America’s Cup and across the team, from sailing, design and shore side, [and] we will work closely with [the team and with Yamaha] to build and develop new technologies whilst delivering this goal,' said Sir Ben.
Get the full America’s Cup report, inside this issue.?
Also inside, be sure to get the latest news from the Hobie 16 North Americans, the AWT Hatteras Wave Jam, and the Royal Cup Marina Ibiza.
And finally, be sure to spend some time enjoying Kurt Molnar’s great image gallery from the recently concluded Rolex Big Boat Series, which just wrapped up racing on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy!
May the four winds blow you safely home,
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