Of foiling boats and taverns
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS
Televising the AC40 racing for the masses Was in a tavern. It was actually a bit more like one of those barn style places, where size mattered more than anything else. Bigger is better, right? Let alone fries with that… Did not necessarily want to be there too long, either.
Posted on 3 Dec Is there a need for speed?
by Mark Jardine
That famous line by Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun It's that famous line by Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun while walking towards his F-14 Tomcat with Goose, "I feel the need, the need for speed". Sailing seems to have been following the mantra.
Posted on 27 Nov New Allen products at METSTRADE 2023
by Mark Jardine
We spoke to Ben Harden about new 40mm High Load Blocks and AY Fittings We spoke to Ben Harden of Allen at METSTRADE 2023 to find out about the new products they have brought out.
Posted on 21 Nov It's not just about the racing
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS
Had occasion to be invited to attend a luncheon Had occasion to be invited to attend a luncheon. It was with a crew that do not even race together anymore, and the boat has been sold many a year ago, as well.
Posted on 19 Nov The greatest event that almost never was
by Mark Jardine
Why the SSL Gold Cup could well be the most important event in the history of sailing It's been a very hard week for personal reasons, but I am very glad I made it to Gran Canaria to cover the SSL Gold Cup.
Posted on 15 Nov Cup Spy Nov 10: Three very different days
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ
Three teams experienced very different days as they trained in Barcelona, Jeddah and Auckland It was an early day of summer on the Hauraki Gulf, but a squally one in Jeddah. The Brits had a good session with their training boat T6 - until the electronic gremlins struck.
Posted on 11 Nov Letter from the Antipodes: Cup teams split
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ
Remembering a leading light of school sailing, Cup teams split after Barcelona, TransAt JV Our condolences to the family and friends of Simon Smith, who died as the result of a sailing accident in the Coastal Classic. Simon was a couple of years behind me at Westlake Boys. Our paths next crossed when we were both involved in school teams racing
Posted on 11 Nov Bold as brass
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
You might expect a cute little French name on a French boat Ordinarily, you might expect a cute little French name on a French boat. Dare we say it is somewhat de rigueur? (Argh. Argh. Argh.) Lenny is very masculine in nature, and these are not necessarily boat names, unless you happen to be an Aircraft Carrier.
Posted on 7 Nov TJV, Ocean Globe Race, and Global Solo Challenge
by David Schmidt
Global and national racing news summarised for North American sailors North American sailors may be reeling from the loss of an extra hour of evening light, but those brave souls sailing the world's oceans and operating around-the-clock are likely immune to this seasonal slap to morale.
Posted on 7 Nov Under the skin of the J/112E
by Mark Jardine
What happens under the layer of gelcoat on a yacht is inherently invisible to the naked eye What happens under the layer of gelcoat on a yacht is inherently invisible to the naked eye. At a boat show what you see is the shine and the shape, the glitz, and the glamour.
Posted on 4 Nov A busy and successful Autumn for Hyde Sails
by Mark Jardine
Winning the Flying Fifteen Nationals, the Squib Inlands and runner-up in the Osprey Nationals We chatted with Ben McGrane to find out about the busy schedule he and Hyde Sails had in September in a variety of classes, including the Flying Fifteen Nationals, the 70th Anniversary Osprey Nationals, and the Squib UK Inlands.
Posted on 2 Nov Not into the eye of the storm
by Mark Jardine
Quite rightly, the Transat Jacques Vabre start didn't go as initially planned on Sunday Quite rightly, the Transat Jacques Vabre start didn't go as initially planned on Sunday. Storm Ciaran is set to be exceptional, and not in a good way, with winds of 80-90 knots during Wednesday night.
Posted on 31 Oct The Morning Sun
by Dougal Henshall
...when it's in your face really shows your age Taking the positive feedback that was received as the main metric, it seems a pretty fair assessment that the recent article on the state of the domestic dinghy scene struck something of a chord with a number of classes and individuals.
Posted on 29 Oct Can we learn from F1 and Group 5?
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
No doubt the origin of the proposition came from the latest IMOCA statement No doubt the origin of the proposition came from the latest IMOCA statement. The Class voted, and T-rudders (foils) are out (for now).
Posted on 22 Oct How sailors with a disability get into a dinghy
by Magnus Smith
Looking at slings and hoists with Frensham Pond Sailability Wheelchair users, and those whose ability to crouch or lean is impaired, need additional equipment to get into a sailing dinghy. Some clubs have been able to invest in slings and hoists to help sailors, and this article has many photos of them.
Posted on 20 Oct Up and down, inside-out SailGP
by Mark Jardine
A criticism that is often levelled at Formula 1 motor racing is that it's too predictable A criticism that is often levelled at Formula 1 motor racing is that it's too predictable. One team, or more often, one driver, dominates the racing. At first glance, SailGP could be regarded in the same way.
Posted on 16 Oct 8 up to 11 to 1
by John Curnow, Global Editor, SailWorldCruising.com
Now you cannot have that discussion without first having one about displacement Now you cannot have that discussion without first having one about displacement. In fact, they really do need to be concurrently, but so as not to get fixated on the latter, let's sort of let it coast along so that we get stuck into the former.
Posted on 12 Oct Retro racing, solo sailing, IC37s, J/105s, M24s
by David Schmidt
Global and national racing news summarised for North America The onshore world finds itself mirroring, albeit in a much slower and geographically fixed way, the temperatures that are being experienced by the sailors who are contesting the fully crewed Ocean Globe Race as they plunge south.
Posted on 10 Oct Interview with Raymarine's Grégoire Outters
by Mark Jardine
We speak to the Managing Director about the huge changes in marine electronics We spoke to Grégoire Outters, Managing Director of Raymarine to find out more about the marine electronics company, his role, the challenges faced, and where he sees development being concentrated in the decade to come.
Posted on 10 Oct Not a 205 T16
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
As that would be the homologation special As that would be the homologation special. There was a LOT to like about it, too.
Posted on 8 Oct Build Sailing Participation 101
by Mark Jardine
A great idea becomes reality thanks to the can-do attitude to make it happen There are times when things seem to just fall into place, and an idea becomes reality, seemingly with no trouble at all. Behind the scenes though there are always people with a can-do attitude who make it happen.
Posted on 2 Oct Barton Carbon Tiller Extensions
by Mark Jardine
We spoke to Leigh from CF by LandL to find out more about the range Barton Marine have launched a technically enhanced range of strong, lightweight and colourful Carbon Tiller Extensions suitable for all dinghy types. We spoke to Leigh from CF by LandL during the Southampton International Boat Show to find out more.
Posted on 27 Sep Racing news for North America this week
by David Schmidt
Global Solo Challenge and Ocean Globe Race updates, SailGP news As the season's first atmospheric river starts to gain steam here in the Pacific Northwest, I find myself day dreaming about the two around-the-world races that are currently unfurling.
Posted on 26 Sep Upcycling your Recycling – Sister from another Mr
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Over on our sister site Powerboat.World, we ran an Editorial entitled, Upcycling your Recycling Recently, over on our sister site Powerboat.World, we ran an Editorial entitled, Upcycling your Recycling. It looked at how the carbon fibre mould for a Volvo 70 was to become a stabilised monohull for long distance, super-efficient cruising.
Posted on 24 Sep Compare and contrast
by Mark Jardine
"Pretty painful yachting," was how Glen Ashby described the Match Race Grand Final in Vilanova "Pretty painful yachting," was how Emirates Team New Zealand's Glen Ashby described the Match Race Grand Final at the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America's Cup in Vilanova i La Geltrú, Spain.
Posted on 18 Sep Something so right
by Dougal Henshall
Dougal Henshall looks at what makes for a good championships attendance Jack Knights coldly set out that the golden age of dinghy racing had already had its day, and by the mid-1970s he felt that that all the signs were that activity levels had peaked. He claimed to see the first signs of a downward trend.
Posted on 13 Sep Ocean Globe Race, Global Solo Challenge, SailGP
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the racing news relevant to North America Daylight is slowly becoming a diminishing resource here in North America, however the international sailing scene is headed anywhere but winter storage thanks to a news cycle with no break in sight.
Posted on 12 Sep No pressure
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
No matter which way I looked at it, linking these things was just bound to add to it Funny thing is, no matter which way I looked at it, linking these things was just bound to add to it.
Posted on 10 Sep The big show and sailing (Cannes)
by John Curnow, Global Editor, SailWorldCruising.com
For some, going yachting means sticks, rags, and spray in your face It depends on where you live and grew up. For some, going yachting means sticks, rags, and spray in your face. Conversely, for so many others, the term yachting describes large vessels, parties, luncheons, tenders, small ports where booking is essential
Posted on 7 Sep The State of Play of Sailing
by Mark Jardine
What's working, what isn't, how clubs, classes and events are faring As I sit in my office on a balmy September morning, wondering why summer started on the same day as the meteorological calendar says that it was the start of autumn in the UK, I was thinking about the state of play in sailing.
Posted on 5 Sep Going big. Going bold. Going in style (and green)
by John Curnow, Global Editor, SailWorldCruising.com
A far-reaching conversation with Sunreef's Global Sales Director, Simon Turner Hilariously, as a conversation about colour, boating and green itself are not usually good bedfellows. Then again, we talk about greenies coming over the deck, so go figure...
Posted on 5 Sep Ben & Keira's Mirror Worlds Win
by Mark Jardine
Interview about the event, parent and child sailing, and future plans I spoke to Ben McGrane to find out more about how he and daughter Keira won the Mirror World Championship in Sligo, Ireland at the end of July, how their Hyde Sails performed, and what their future plans are.
Posted on 1 Sep Global Solo Challenge and Ocean Globe Race news
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at racing news relevant to North America This weekend's start of the Global Solo Challenge ensures that long-distance, offshore sailing adventures, at least of the armchair-viewing variety, are back on the menu for the first time since The Ocean Race concluded in July.
Posted on 29 Aug Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Only our story is about the Tweaker's Delight. So that's the Figaro Beneteau 3 Must have been an old-school hip hop theme running through on the playlist of late... After Grandmaster Flash last time, today we have the Sugarhill Gang with Rapper's Delight. Only our story is about the Tweaker's Delight.
Posted on 27 Aug When great X-pectations are surpassed
by Mark Jardine
The X-Yachts Gold Cup is something special The X-Yachts Gold Cup is something special: In an era where the reporting at many top events includes words such as pinnacle, performance and elite, what I heard from the competitors in Aarhus was all about community, fun, laughter, and camaraderie.
Posted on 21 Aug Racing news for North America this week
by David Schmidt
Sailing World Championships, AC40s, J/111 Worlds, Hinman Masters Trophy news So long as the America's Cup stays out of the New York Superior Court, odds are reasonable that there's buoyancy to be found in stories from the world's racecourses.
Posted on 15 Aug Grandmaster Flash
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
The message. Are you with me? The message. Are you with me? Anyway, it simply came in with, ‘Get on this JC. Aussie boys, including son of Carl Crafoord, leading 29er Worlds with five bullets and a third out of a fleet of 206.
Posted on 13 Aug The Wonderful World of Regatta Weeks
by Mark Jardine
Appealing to sailors across the full age range, and nearly every conceivable type of boat At a grass-roots level, sailing and yacht clubs are the life blood of our sport. Our boats are kept there, most of our local sailing is run from there, and many social events are organised there. Without them sailing would be lost.
Posted on 8 Aug All Hands on Deck Interview
by David Schmidt
We talk with Will Sofrin about his book “All Hands on Deck” Sail-World checked in with Will Sofrin, via email, to learn more about his experiences writing All Hands On Deck, which is now in its third edition.
Posted on 2 Aug Keeping a candle lit for Captain Donald Lawson
by David Schmidt
Audacious plans seem to have ended in disaster While the sailing world has been focused on this year's rough-and-tumble Rolex Fastnet Race, my mind has been on Captain Donald Lawson and his audacious plans to break 35 offshore records as part of his Dark Seas project.
Posted on 1 Aug Remove AFTER Flight!
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Normally that instruction reads Remove BEFORE Flight Normally that instruction reads Remove BEFORE Flight. It's always written all in bold white capitals off a red background so you simply cannot miss or ignore it.
Posted on 30 Jul The Great Gig in the Sea
by Mark Jardine
On the horizon is the Ocean Globe Race, the next brainchild of Don McIntyre We're suffering from an embarrassment of riches in offshore sailing at the moment. Not that it's a bad thing, but it does make keeping up with everything that's happening in the yacht racing world a bit of a struggle.
Posted on 26 Jul Olympic class racing, IC37s, J/22s
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt summarises the most important racing news for North America While large swaths of the USA, Europe, and China are grinding through one of the hottest summers on record, thanks at least in part to the start of the El Nino cycle, the Olympic cycle is hoving closer into view.
Posted on 18 Jul Commanding the stage
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Did someone say about time? Must have... Did someone say about time? Must have… Could not help noticing that the impending Sydney International Boat Show (3-6 August at Darling Harbour) has a dedicated Discover Sailing and Paddling Hub...
Posted on 16 Jul Natural amphitheatres
by Mark Jardine
What is most important to you when you race your boat? What is more important to you when you race your boat: a fair and even wind across the entire course, or an idyllic setting with a stunning backdrop?
Posted on 11 Jul Latest racing news for North American sailors
by David Schmidt
11th Hour Racing wins The Ocean Race, Melges 24 Worlds, Transpac starts As our nation prepares to celebrate its 247th birthday, the American sailing community has extra reason to celebrate: 11th Hour Racing has won 2023 The Ocean Race.
Posted on 4 Jul Is the cookie cutter relevant in the digital age?
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Please note that this is an oversimplification, but there is still plenty of reason Please note from the outset that this is an oversimplification. It does, however, serve as brilliant analogy on a number of levels.
Posted on 4 Jul Can you still judge a boat by its lines?
by Mark Jardine
A great classic just looks right, and it's not just the gleaming varnish Look at any classic yacht, and within a moment you can tell whether she's fast or not. A great classic just looks right, and it's not just the gleaming varnish and sea of sails which gives you that impression. It's the lines.
Posted on 27 Jun Latest racing news for North American sailors
by David Schmidt
Race to Alaska, SailGP in Chicago, and The Ocean Race covered this week From Alaska to Chicago to Europe, the sailing-news cycle has been in overdrive of late, and it's poised to continue for the foreseeable future as great events on all coasts hove into view.
Posted on 20 Jun Of National Importance
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
And this is exactly how The Great Man (John Bertrand AO) put it to me And this is exactly how The Great Man (John Bertrand AO) put it to me. "130 athletes, from 40 clubs across the land, and approximately a 50:50 male/female split after the close of applications."
Posted on 19 Jun