Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Rockall 3's paint job...

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 2 Jul 2010
Rockall 3 - RORC IRC National Championship Paul Wyeth / RORC
Photographers really do find plain vanilla boats rather dull. We've said so lots of times. We like the funky, sexy, ones with extravagant name artwork and graphics on them - Beau Geste's dragon, or the all-seeing eyes on FfreeFire, for example. Or maybe the super-shine mirror finish on Full Metal Jacket?

But what on earth is going on here? What's the strange blocky pattern on Chris Opielok's Rockall 3, seen here competing in the recent RORC IRC Nationals in the Solent, sailing under Hong Kong colours?

Rockall 3,GER 6333 - RORC IRC National Championship © Paul Wyeth / RORC
Rockall 3,GER 6333 - RORC IRC National Championship © Paul Wyeth / RORC



There's a distinctly Teutonic flavour to that boat - 'Opie' is German (it's an eclectic bunch at the RHKYC) and there's Joachim Isler, Vice Commodore RHKYC, trimming the kite. Now check out the picture of the Tirpitz. Who says the Germans don't have a sense of humour?

Tirpitz in the Altafjord © SW
Tirpitz in the Altafjord © SW

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERZhik 2024 December

Related Articles

Double Podium For Team Allen
Enzo Ballanger sailed fully equipped with Allen hardware to a Moth Worlds victory Representing Team Allen through its French distributor, XPO, Enzo Ballanger sailed fully equipped with Allen hardware to a dominant victory at the 2025 International Moth World Championship.
Posted today at 11:00 am New concept & programme for the Yacht Racing Forum
An updated concept designed to reflect our delegates' expectations This year, we will merge the conference on the Management and Business of the sport and the Design & Technology Symposium, enabling all participants to attend the entire event.
Posted today at 10:50 am Blind Sailor's solo Round the Island Challenge
Dani A. Pich is aiming to navigate his Patí Català catamaran around the Isle of Wight next week A truly remarkable challenge is underway on the Solent, with blind sailor Dani A. Pich aiming to sail solo around the Isle of Wight in a catamaran dinghy that has no rudder, no centreboard, no boom and is steered by the use of balance and body weight.
Posted today at 9:06 am RORC Channel Race 2025 Preview
The high-stakes opener of the 2025 Admiral's Cup The 2025 RORC Channel Race is the high-stakes opener of the 2025 Admiral's Cup—and the pressure is on. With double points on the table and no discard allowed, this race could make or break a team's Admiral's Cup campaign.
Posted today at 8:42 am 2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth starts today
131 boats from 18 countries prepare ahead of the main event The 2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth has become a magnet for the international foiling community. With 131 boats entered from 18 countries, this event is more than just a tune-up—it's a snapshot of the class's spirit.
Posted today at 5:33 am SailGP: Stands go up in Portsmouth
The grandstand is in place and prominent on the Portsmouth shoreline, in readiness for the weekend The grandstand is in place and prominent on the Portsmouth shoreline, in readiness for this weekend's SailGP event, which marks the start of the European circuit for the League's Season 5.
Posted today at 12:22 am America's Cup: Azzurra Challenge
Azzurra's 1983 debut turned Italian sailing into a national interest. Italy has one of the most passionate and enduring histories in the America's Cup. Azzurra's 1983 debut turned Italian sailing into a national interest.
Posted on 15 Jul The Ocean Cleanup's 30 Cities Program
A look at The Ocean Cleanup and its the 30 Cities Program The cliche goes that one should avoid meeting one's heroes, as there's always a chance that the flesh-and-blood person might not live up to expectations. While I've never met Boyan Slat, I'd gladly take this risk.
Posted on 15 Jul Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots!
Posted on 15 Jul The Iconic Admiral's Cup Returns!
Harken UK caught up with the RORC CEO and Admiral's Cup sailors ahead of the event After a long hiatus, this prestigious international yachting regatta makes its grand comeback from 17- 31 July at The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Posted on 15 Jul
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2025 Sail-World Sail-World USA and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy