VOR, foiling, Caribbean racing—Sailing news from the U.S. and beyond

by David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor on 30 Apr 2015 While the leaders of the fully crewed Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) still have some 2,500 nautical miles separating their bows from the finishing line off of Newport, Rhode Island, these are exciting times for the Ocean State. Depending on the wind and arrival dates, the international traveling circus known as the VOR will spend ten-plus days in May in historic Newport, prior to the May 17 start of Leg Seven, which will take the fleet of six boats to Lisbon, Portugal.

While the fleet is in Newport, however, U.S. fans of ocean racing will have a fantastic opportunity to see the boats up close and personal, meet some of the sailors as they stroll down Thames Street with their families, and see the fleet of Volvo Ocean 65s in action, both during the in-port race (May 16) and on Leg Seven’s starting line.

Right now, however, the sailors are doing anything but thinking of strolling down Thames Street, as a mere 30 miles separates the entire fleet, despite the fact that they have been racing for ten-plus days.At the time of this writing, overall race leaders Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing are leading the pack with Dongfeng Race Team and their new mast are in the hunt to Newport, along with Team Brunel and hometown favorites Team Alvimedica.

Currently, the pack is playing a game of leverage that has seen multiple teams in the pole position in the past several days. The teams have now all passed through the Doldrums and are (at the time of this writing) clipping along in the high teens, low 20s, glad to be back in the northern hemisphere for the remainder of the race.

“My objective is to do really well in this race and particularly this leg,” said Sam Davies, skipper of the all-women’s “Team SCA”. Having crossed the Atlantic more times than I remember, when we crossed last night I couldn’t help but feel a bit more at ease. I’m back in my territory, the north Atlantic. For the race, it’s not a big milestone, but for me personally, I’m happy to be back here.”

Aboard the race leader Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, the sentiment was much the same from Ian Walker, who is solidly en route to completing his third VOR, this time in considerably better leaderboard standing than his previous two circumnavigations.

“Returning to the north marks a change of pace for the race. From now on the legs become rapid-fire; they get shorter and quicker and there’s a lot at stake before the race ends in Sweden. Forty-five percent of the points are ahead of us.”

Get the full VOR report, inside this issue.

Meanwhile, for the speed freaks out there, the Foiling World Cup is set to arrive in North America in 2016. This brand-new series will be sailed, stadium-style, aboard the brand-new, two-person, 20-foot Formula Foiling Multihulls, which promise to offer great speed and visual excitement for the sailors and spectators alike. The series features open entry and a double-trapeze, box-rule boat that should keep sailors actively engaged in the boat’s development. Learn more about this high-flying new series, inside this issue.

And from the sun-kissed island of Antigua come reports of great trade winds sailing conditions and awesome on-the-water competition that are making this year’s event one to remember. “We are getting it together; we have only been racing “Spirit” for two years,” said Alan Edwards of his Swan 65. “Previously we thought we could out-point the opposition, but we have backed-off this pinching stuff and now we bear away a little for boat speed… We hope the wind will stay around 15 knots.”

Racing wraps up at Antigua Sailing Week on May 1, so be sure to get the full report, inside this issue, and stay tuned to the website for the latest news, as it unfurls.

Also inside, check out the Marine Accident Investigation Board’s official report into the capsize and tragic loss of crew aboard the Beneteau First 40.7 “Cheeki Rafiki”, which was lost last year en route home to the UK from the Caribbean; get the preview report from this summer’s Ida Lewis Distance Race (August 14, 2015), and learn more about the upcoming Annapolis to Newport Race Seminar Series.

And finally, don’t miss ace shooter Erik Simonson’s great image gallery from the last weekend’s 2015 OYRA Full Crewed Lightship series.

May the four winds blow you safely home,