50th Rolex Middle Sea Race update 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race updateThe Bowling AlleyAs predicted, the 50th anniversary Rolex Middle Sea Race exploded into life overnight. The tension created by the strong northerly squeezing through the Strait of Sicily has grown steadily since sunset on Monday.by Rolex Middle Sea Race Posted 24 Oct 06:27 AEDT Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018 Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018Portuguese photographer Ricardo Pinto announced as winner109 photographers representing 25 nationalities took part in the 9th edition of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image photo competition.by Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Posted 24 Oct 01:48 AEDT 2018 Etchells Worlds Day Two - Oooops! 2018 Etchells Worlds Day Two - Oooops!There was a strong tide running out of Moreton Bay from South to North.After waiting for the continual flicks in the breeze to settle down, and the resultant course axis changes from 025 to 050 degrees, it was also somewhat evident that just the one race was on for the day.by John Curnow Posted 23 Oct 23:09 AEDT 2018 Etchells World Championship day 2 images 2018 Etchells World Championship day 2 imagesMitchell Pearson provided this gallery of imagesMitchell Pearson provided the gallery of images from day 2 of 2018 Etchells World Championship taking place at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.by Mitchell Pearson Posted 23 Oct 22:51 AEDT Billy Besson & Marie Riou lead France SailGP Team Billy Besson & Marie Riou lead France SailGP TeamMarseille event will serve as the league championshipFour-time world champion and 2016 Olympian Billy Besson was today announced as the helmsman for the France SailGP Team.by SailGP Posted 23 Oct 21:25 AEDT GAC Pindar celebrates GAC Panama Office GAC Pindar celebrates GAC Panama OfficeThe Group opens its own company in the countrySuperyachts and yachts transiting the Panama Canal can now do so with the assurance of the quality service synonymous with GAC, after the Group opened its own company in the country.by GAC Pindar Posted 23 Oct 18:00 AEDT Nic Douglass reports from Etchells Worlds Nic Douglass reports from Etchells WorldsMurray takes the first gunDay one of the Etchells World Championship in Brisbane got off to a slow start while competitors waited for the breeze to fill from the south-east.by Nic Douglass Posted 23 Oct 17:28 AEDT J/Thunder Down Under winning offshore in Australia J/Thunder Down Under winning offshore in AustraliaJ/121 Javelin wins 2018 Winter Series hosted by the Ocean Racing Club of VictoriaThe latest report from way "Down Under" is full of great news from many happy owners racing their boats on the east coast of Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) and the west coast of Australia (Perth, Freemantle).by J/Boats Posted 23 Oct 15:29 AEDT Multi70 Maserati and Rambler 88 take line honours Multi70 Maserati and Rambler 88 take line honoursIn the 50th Rolex Middle Sea RaceRambler crossed the finish line of the 2018 Rolex Middle Sea Race at the Royal Malta Yacht Club to take Monohull Line Honours at 02:07:55 CEST on Tuesday 23rd October.by Rolex Middle Sea Race Posted 23 Oct 14:50 AEDT Golden Globe Race day 113: Lepage rescue update Golden Globe Race day 113: Lepage rescue updateExpected to be evacuated from his dismasted yacht todayFrench solo yachtsman Loïc Lepage is expected to be evacuated from his dismasted yacht Laaland shortly after first light on Tuesday (23:30 UTC Monday). By then both the bulk carrier Shiosai and the sailing yacht Alizes II will have reachedby Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 23 Oct 13:09 AEDT Sail-World.com Australia 2018 Survey Sail-World.com Australia 2018 SurveyTake part and you could win a set of the latest Musto sailing kitEnter our 2018 survey and you could win one of two sets of the latest sailing kit thanks to our partner, Musto.by Sarah Heron, Sail-World.com Posted 23 Oct 08:02 AEDT Garmin GNX 120 Garmin GNX 1207-inch large format marine instrumentDesigned for serious sailors who demand quality, precision and total integration, this high-precision glass-bonded 7-inch large format instrument creates a beautiful "glass mast" display with superior readability day and night.by Garmin Australia Posted 23 Oct 08:00 AEDT 50th Anniversary Geraldton win to Giddy Up 50th Anniversary Geraldton win to Giddy UpThe iconic race up the west coast was well supported with nearly twenty entriesIt was a slow race by historic standards, soft and shifty west to north westerly winds challenging crews all the way, but it took almost half the race before Endorfin was able to wrest the lead, after an embarrassing mechanical fault delayed departure.by Bernie Kaaks Posted 23 Oct 06:38 AEDT Attrition and drama rates climb in the 2018 GGR Attrition and drama rates climb in the 2018 GGRAttrition rate of 55% is evidence that Mother Nature is in chargeWhile some sailors scoffed at a 'retro race', the 2018 Golden Globe Race's attrition rate of 55% is evidence aplenty that, while modern sailors are clever, the challenges put forth by Mother Nature remain utterly unconvinced of mankind's superiority.by David Schmidt Posted 23 Oct 04:00 AEDT 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race day 3 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race day 3The Game is OnThe third day of the 2018 Rolex Middle Sea Race has seen the course open up. All yachts, still racing, have passed Stromboli and the majority are heading into a steady westerly on the leg from the volcanic island to the north-west corner of Sicily.by Rolex Middle Sea Race Posted 23 Oct 02:52 AEDT A Class Worlds at Hervey Bay preview A Class Worlds at Hervey Bay previewGraced by more sailing glitterati than we have seen in many yearsAs the season in Europe slowly draws to a close on what has been for some, another rather frustrating year of too much/too little wind and with most European class associations are looking towards their final regattas of the yearby Gordon Upton Posted 23 Oct 02:17 AEDT 2018 Etchells Worlds in Brisbane day 1 2018 Etchells Worlds in Brisbane day 1What a tease!On shore this morning you felt that it was going to be a grand day. The time had come. Race one, and even race two were upon us. A champion crew was soon going to be determined for the 2018 Etchells Worlds being held on Moreton Bay in Brisbane, Australia.by John Curnow Posted 22 Oct 23:02 AEDT Vale Robin Crawford Vale Robin CrawfordWell-known yachtsman and philanthropistWell-known yachtsman and philanthropist, Robin Crawford, died peacefully at home on Thursday evening, October 18, after an extended battle with cancer and dementia – he was 70.by Di Pearson Posted 22 Oct 19:41 AEDT Beau Geste. But the speed… that changes everything Beau Geste. But the speed… that changes everythingFive out of seven MOD70s have ended up either on their side or upside downBeau Geste, a MOD70 trimaran, skippered by Gavin Brady and with owner Karl Kwok on board, has set a Multihull reference time (or record, call it what you will) for the Hong Kong to Hainan Race: 24h01m59s. Sail-World Asia went for a spin round the harbourby Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia Posted 22 Oct 15:40 AEDT Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta 2019 Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta 2019Just four months to go to the event on beautiful Lake MacquarieWe are only 4 months out for the 2019 Regatta organised and hosted by the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto. If you haven't already done so, put the dates in your diary now and plan to be on the waters of beautiful Lake Macquarie for the 13th running.by Melvyn Steiner Posted 22 Oct 15:33 AEDT Extreme Sailing Series™ San Diego overall Extreme Sailing Series™ San Diego overallTeam Oman Air top the US Act podiumTight, tense racing thrilled the Californian crowds that gathered on Harbor Island, as Team Oman Air topped the US Act podium on day four of Extreme Sailing Series™ San Diego – thwarting Alinghi in the final races of the day.by Extreme Sailing Series Posted 22 Oct 14:48 AEDT Hill recruits Belcher for Etchells Worlds Hill recruits Belcher for Etchells WorldsA final tally of 94 entries of the highest standardThe Etchells World Championship for 2018 kicks off today from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with a final tally of 94 entries of the highest standard including multiple world champions, Olympic medallists and America's Cup heroes.by Nic Douglass Posted 22 Oct 13:33 AEDT Golden Globe Race day 112: Loïc Lepage rescue Golden Globe Race day 112: Loïc Lepage rescue600 miles SW of Perth, Western AustraliaAt 18:27 UTC on Saturday 20th Oct. the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra (JRCC Aus.) picked up a distress beacon alert from French solo skipper Loïc Lepage.by Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 22 Oct 12:54 AEDT YeeeeHaaaaa! YeeeeHaaaaa!A big week, last week, and loads of good news, tooA big week, last week, and loads of good news, too. At the Australian Sailing Awards on Friday night, Wendy Tuck received the female Sailor of the Year, and many wondered if this might indeed be a harbinger for the Rolex World Sailor of the Year?by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS Posted 22 Oct 08:00 AEDT 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race day 2 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race day 2Negotiating the Strait and NarrowThe first 24 hours of the 2018 race have proved once again that the challenging nature of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is as much a test of concentration and perseverance in light airs as it is seamanship in heavy conditions.by Rolex Middle Sea Race Posted 22 Oct 05:41 AEDT New Jeanneau Sun Fast for 2019 New Jeanneau Sun Fast for 2019As well as the launch of the Sun Fast World CupIn the wake of recent new model development, Jeanneau has announced a yacht for its Sun Fast range. The next Sun Fast will keep the strong DNA of a racing boat, easy to sail single-handed or with a crew. She will touch water in 2019.by Jeanneau Australia Posted 22 Oct 05:34 AEDT 2018 Farr 40 One Design Trophy overall 2018 Farr 40 One Design Trophy overallOutlaw wins first pointscore regatta of Farr 40 seasonAfter four races offshore yesterday and another four races inside the harbour today, Tom and Alan Quick's Outlaw have won the first pointscore regatta of the 2018/19 Farr 40 One Design Trophy Series.by Jennie Hughes Posted 21 Oct 23:16 AEDT Allianz Championship for 29er and Optimist overall Allianz Championship for 29er and Optimist overallBig challenge on the ranking until the last day!Ashlee Daunt and Tom Needham have won the 29er championship, followed by Luke Rogers and Matthew Rogers and in third place. The first Caledonian tsailors were Emilie Bouchet and Robin Chantrelle.by Laurence Bouchet Posted 21 Oct 22:34 AEDT Rooster: Built on a Passion, Not a Podium Rooster: Built on a Passion, Not a PodiumDriving participation and making quality performance kit accessible for allRooster®, founded by Steve Cockerill in November 1999, spread to sailing clubs and boat parks across the world; combining his passion for developing sailing kit that works, with his enthusiasm for sharing the knowledge amassed from two Olympic Campaigns.by Emma Ralph, Rooster Posted 21 Oct 22:00 AEDT Etchells practice race abandoned Etchells practice race abandonedPractice day abandoned due to lightningWell if practice does make perfect, then certainly getting all of the huge Etchells fleet out on the water and back again safely has been locked in. Sailing out or being towed, setting sails, heading up into the wind to lock in the directionby John Curnow Posted 21 Oct 20:02 AEDT 18ft Skiff Spring Championship race 2 18ft Skiff Spring Championship race 2The Asko Appliances team brilliantly won the startAsko Appliances 18ft Skiff team of James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite and Paul Montague brilliantly won the start in Race 2 of the Spring Championship then dominated the race with a faultless exhibition to win by 1m15s on Sydney Harbour.by Frank Quealey Posted 21 Oct 18:56 AEDT F18 Worlds at Sarasota, Florida overall F18 Worlds at Sarasota, Florida overallIordanis Paschalidi and Konstantinos Trigonis crowned championsThe sun set just beyond the pavilion on the Sarasota Sailing Squadron grounds, as winners Iordanis Paschalidi and Konstantinos Trigonis accepted the ultimate trophy, World Champions of the F18 class.by Ellinor Walters Posted 21 Oct 18:12 AEDT The party before the game The party before the gameCelebrations at the Etchells World Championship as the class turns 50Ordinarily you might expect a big bash after a major regatta. Especially one where there is a weigh-in before, and then another halfway through the main festivities.by John Curnow Posted 21 Oct 17:47 AEDT 12ft Skiff Upper Harbour Championship 12ft Skiff Upper Harbour ChampionshipWin goes to Nick Press and Andrew 'Noddy' Hay at Lane CoveNick Press and Andrew 'Noddy' Hay (Sydney Sailmakers) have taken out the first major 12ft skiff regatta for 2018-2019, the Upper Harbour Championship, hosted by Lane Cove 12 Foot Sailing Skiff Club (LC 12ft SSC) on Saturday afternoon.by Di Pearson Posted 21 Oct 17:28 AEDT Extreme Sailing Series™ San Diego day 3 Extreme Sailing Series™ San Diego day 3Light winds hinder penultimate day of racingIt was a long day for the Extreme Sailing Series™ fleet as light winds teased the teams on the penultimate day of racing in San Diego.by Extreme Sailing Series Posted 21 Oct 13:27 AEDT Golden Globe Race day 111: Code Red Alert Golden Globe Race day 111: Code Red AlertMayday alert from Loic LepageAt 18:30 UTC, French solo yachtsman set off the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on his yacht Laaland after being dismasted earlier in the day some 600 miles SW of Perth Western Australia.by Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 21 Oct 12:22 AEDT 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race start 50th Rolex Middle Sea Race startFitting send off for anniversary fleetThe 50th anniversary Rolex Middle Sea Race is underway. A record fleet of 130 yachts was waved on its way by large crowds filling the bastions of Valletta and the Three Cities, and other vantage points.by Rolex Middle Sea Race Posted 21 Oct 05:29 AEDT The ULTIME class in 2018 Route du Rhum The ULTIME class in 2018 Route du RhumIncredible speed and huge distancesGet ready for the most spectacular show on water as six of the world's fastest multihulls prepare to rampage across the Atlantic in the 40th anniversary staging of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe.by Route du Rhum Posted 20 Oct 22:52 AEDT North Sails Weekly Debrief North Sails Weekly DebriefMelges 20 World Champ, 3Di Product Line, Forbes features Kenny ReadDrew Freides, Morgan Reeser, and Charlie Smythe have added themselves to the #NSVictoryList once again in Cagliari, Italy.by North Sails Posted 20 Oct 22:00 AEDT Hobart Combined Clubs Inshore Series day 1 Hobart Combined Clubs Inshore Series day 1Memorable day for Paul and Michelle BoutchardPaul Boutchard and his wife Michelle today returned to yacht racing on the River Derwent in their J35 Mem after a break of more than a year, and scored four Division 1 wins.by Peter Campbell Posted 20 Oct 21:50 AEDT