America's Cup Rialto: Dec 2 - Clock ticks down America's Cup Rialto: Dec 2 - Clock ticks down The Kiwis are putting in the time with the super-sized jib - for reasons best know to themselves Three of the four America's Cup teams trained today, in another northerly breeze that started light - just above the minimum for racing, and increased to 13-15kts in the afternoon. Great sailing in the warm sunshine. Has summer arrived? by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ Posted 3 Dec 00:43 NZDT America's Cup Rialto: Nov 30 - A revealing day America's Cup Rialto: Nov 30 - A revealing day On the basis of what was seen on Monday, currently there are no standout performers The Practice racing expected to start in a week or so, will give some inkling as to how this Cup will unfold in 2021. But on the basis of what was seen on Monday, currently there are no standout performers. by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ Posted 1 Dec 16:06 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 25: The Indian Strikes Vendée Globe Day 25: The Indian Strikes Nine IMOCAs pass Cape of Good Hope in same day Given that the fleet started with a record sized fleet of 33 IMOCAs and there are still, technically, 31 tracked on the race course, it is not entirely unexpected to have no fewer than 9 boats cross the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope today. by Vendée Globe Posted 3 Dec 07:59 NZDT Starboard foil and casing damage for ARKEA PAPREC Starboard foil and casing damage for ARKEA PAPREC Vendée Globe fourth placed skipper Sébastien Simon was not injured At 0820hrs UTC this morning, ARKEA PAPREC hit an unidentified floating object. The collision caused serious damage to the starboard foil. The skipper is coping with the situation with his shore team. Skipper Sébastien Simon was not injured. by Vendée Globe Posted 2 Dec 23:40 NZDT America's Cup: Two designers on AC75 hull shapes America's Cup: Two designers on AC75 hull shapes Interview with Martin Fischer (Luna Rossa) and Benjamin Muyl (INEOS Team UK) on AC75 hull design Tip & Shaft interviewed Martin Fischer, co-design coordinator at Luna Rossa Challenge, and Benjamin Muyl, chief designer for the INEOS Team UK challengers, to understand design differences between the new, second boats of the four teams by Tip & Shaft Posted 1 Dec 20:36 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 24: Relieved Escoffier speaks Vendée Globe Day 24: Relieved Escoffier speaks The 40 year old solo sailor had to abandon his IMOCA 60 PRB After being rescued from his liferaft by Jean Le Cam in big seas and strong winds the early hours of this morning some 840nm South West of Cape Town, Kevin Escoffier has been recovering on board Le Cam's appropriately named IMOCA 60 Yes We Cam! by Vendée Globe Posted 2 Dec 08:00 NZDT Team Barely Legal Racing's plans for the 2021 R2AK Team Barely Legal Racing's plans for the 2021 R2AK An interview with tbe team about their plans to take on the 2021 R2AK I checked in with Team Barely Legal Racing, via email, to learn more about their plans to take on the 2021 Race to Alaska with a youthful team of talented sailors. by David Schmidt Posted 2 Dec 05:00 NZDT Images of America's Cuppers training in Auckland Images of America's Cuppers training in Auckland Local photographer Craig Butland joined the group of photographers and videographers on North Head, Local photographer Craig Butland joined the group of photographers and videographers on North Head, on Monday, shooting the three AC75's training ahead of the America's Cup World Series /Xmas Cup starting on December 17. by Craig Butland Posted 2 Dec 01:59 NZDT The International Canoe Advent Calender 2020 The International Canoe Advent Calender 2020 The class remains one of the biggest challenges in dinghy sailing With limited events throughout the year the International Canoe Class has decided to use the advent period to show off what the class has to offer. Each day a new image will be posted to show the dynamics of this long historical class. by Chris Hampe Posted 1 Dec 22:52 NZDT Kevin Escoffier: "The boat folded at 90 degrees" Kevin Escoffier: "The boat folded at 90 degrees" Skipper describes the moment he had to abandon his IMOCA 60 PRB in the Vendée Globe After eleven and a half hours in his liferaft since being forced to abandon his IMOCA 60 PRB in strong winds and big seas 840 nautical miles SW of Cape Town, Vendée Globe skipper Kevin Escoffier was dramatically rescued by fellow competitor Jean Le Cam. by Vendée Globe Posted 1 Dec 21:45 NZDT Black Jack returns for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Black Jack returns for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Black Jack is still the boat to beat in lighter wind Ever wonder how much work goes into preparing a yacht for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - never mind a big boat that has just returned from Europe amid the COVID-19 pandemic? by Di Pearson, RSHYR media Posted 1 Dec 19:18 NZDT Vendée Globe: Escoffier rescued from liferaft Vendée Globe: Escoffier rescued from liferaft Kevin Escoffier (PRB) has been rescued by fellow competitor Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam!) At 0118hrs UTC the PRB Team was informed that their Vendée Globe race skipper Kevin Escoffier (PRB) has been rescued by fellow Vendée Globe competitor Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam!). by Vendée Globe Posted 1 Dec 16:23 NZDT Shattered dreams Shattered dreams It's impossible not to feel sorry for Alex Thomson having to pull out of the Vendée Globe It's impossible not to feel sorry for Alex Thomson having to pull out of the Vendée Globe. He cut a dejected figure in the cockpit of his Hugo Boss IMOCA as he made his way towards Cape Town following the damage to his starboard rudder. by Mark Jardine Posted 1 Dec 06:00 NZDT Kevin Escoffier (PRB) activates Distress Beacon Kevin Escoffier (PRB) activates Distress Beacon Jean Le Cam alters course to assist Kevin Escoffier, 40, who is racing in third place in the Vendée Globe solo non-stop around the world race, positioned some 550 nautical miles SW of Cape Town, has triggered his distress beacon. by Vendée Globe Posted 1 Dec 05:10 NZDT A message from Alex A message from Alex Speaking for the first time after his dreams of Vendée Globe victory end Alex Thomson speaks for the first time after his dreams of Vendée Globe victory end in heartbreak. by Alex Thomson Racing Posted 1 Dec 02:01 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 23 morning update Vendée Globe Day 23 morning update The big chill: The sailors are now in a strong south-westerly flow The leaders of the Vendée Globe fleet are now in a strong south-westerly flow approaching the Cape of Good Hope. Leader Charlie Dalin, is expected to cross the first great Cape this afternoon. by Vendée Globe Posted 30 Nov 20:22 NZDT PredictWind's new weather routing algorithm PredictWind's new weather routing algorithm Completely new code that offers unparalleled performance PredictWind has announced a new weather routing algorithm with completely new code that offers unparalleled performance. by PredictWind Posted 30 Nov 19:17 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 22: Be thankful for small merci's Vendée Globe Day 22: Be thankful for small merci's Huge support for Alex Thomson as he heads for Cape Town Charlie Dalin, the Vendée Globe race leader, should pass the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope on Monday, the first of the mythical 24,296 nautical miles solo round the world's three Great Capes. by Vendée Globe Posted 30 Nov 10:00 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 22 morning update Vendée Globe Day 22 morning update Fast first time out solo in the South - Escoffier, Simon set mean pace At some 520 nautical miles west of the longitude of Cape of Good Hope Charlie Dalin (Apivia) is largely matching the pace of the hard pressing group that is chasing him led by Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut). by Vendée Globe Posted 29 Nov 22:11 NZDT Karleen Dixon takes out womens' keelboat nationals Karleen Dixon takes out womens' keelboat nationals Dixon and crew braved the brutal 20-30 knot conditions best of the ten strong field. Karleen Dixon and her crew of Sara Tucker, Paula Satterthwaite, Jennifer Jameson, Raynor Haagh, Miranda Addy and Kylie Jameson, have taken out the 2020 Barfoot & Thompson NZ Women's National Keelboat Championship. by Andrew Delves Posted 29 Nov 21:20 NZDT Volvo lifejacket tech for weekend yachties Volvo lifejacket tech for weekend yachties Lusty and Blundell stocks Spinlock's new range of VITO lifejacket harnesses. Spinlock's latest inflatable lifejacket harness technology, designed specifically for the teams competing in the arduous Volvo Ocean Race, is available to all sailors, boaties and fishers in the company's new Deckvest VITO range. by Lusty & Blundell Posted 29 Nov 21:00 NZDT 18ft Skiff NSW Championship Race 2 18ft Skiff NSW Championship Race 2 Only three teams managed to reach the vicinity of the start line in Rose Bay Fresh North West winds over 20-knots, with gusts up to 40-knots prior to race time, cast doubt over the Australian 18 Footers League being able to stage Race 2 of the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today by Frank Quealey Posted 29 Nov 20:34 NZDT Continuing growth sees Precey promoted at L&B Continuing growth sees Precey promoted at L&B Peter Precey steps up from Lusty and Blundells sales showroom to be an assistant product manager. A fast-growing customer base and ongoing sales growth in their leading marine products and systems has resulted in Lusty and Blundell appointing leading showroom consultant Peter Precey to a new assistant product management role. by Lusty & Blundell Posted 29 Nov 18:33 NZDT Emirates Team NZ online store Black Friday deals Emirates Team NZ online store Black Friday deals Emirates Team New Zealand shop is offering some foiling good deals on selected items to November 30 Emirates Team New Zealand shop is offering some foiling good deals on selected items as part of Black Friday - but this offer extends through to November 30. Here's a great chance to do some high value Xmas shopping or get your fan gear for the Xmas Cup. by Emirates Team NZ Shop Posted 29 Nov 16:13 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 21: Dalin leads by 370 miles Vendée Globe Day 21: Dalin leads by 370 miles As a dejected Alex Thomson heads for Cape Town The hopes of British skipper Alex Thomson of winning the Vendée Globe were dashed by damage to the starboard rudder of his IMOCA HUGO BOSS on Friday evening. by Vendée Globe Posted 29 Nov 10:21 NZDT Alex Thomson ceases racing in the Vendée Globe Alex Thomson ceases racing in the Vendée Globe After incurring damage to the starboard rudder of his boat After incurring damage to the starboard rudder of his boat, British sailor Alex Thomson has ceased racing in the Vendée Globe and is now sailing his boat towards Cape Town. by Alex Thomson Racing Posted 29 Nov 03:38 NZDT First online match race e-PRADA Cup ready to go First online match race e-PRADA Cup ready to go COR36 and Virtual Regatta join forces COR36 and Virtual Regatta, the world's leading e-sailing platform, have joined forces to create a unique e-regatta: the first ever on-line Match Race. by 36th America's Cup Challenger of Record Posted 28 Nov 19:21 NZDT 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award: Voting open 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award: Voting open 2020 finalists showcase the depth of global sustainability initiatives within the marine industry The World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award celebrates the effective execution or ongoing delivery of high-impact, highly-replicable sustainability initiatives, aligned to World Sailing's Sustainability Agenda 2030. by Daniel Smith - World Sailing Posted 28 Nov 18:24 NZDT Gitana Team interrupts Jules Verne Trophy attempt Gitana Team interrupts Jules Verne Trophy attempt The boat collided with a UFO after three days at sea After three days at sea on their first round the world record attempt, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier have this evening taken the decision to interrupt their record bid and return to their port of registry. by Gitana Team Posted 28 Nov 16:44 NZDT Vendée Globe: Rudder damage on Hugo Boss Vendée Globe: Rudder damage on Hugo Boss Alex Thomson notified his technical team of damage to the starboard rudder Alex Thomson Racing have issued an alert describing rudder damage to Hugo Boss which is reported to have occurred around 1900hrs UTC this Friday evening. by Vendée Globe Posted 28 Nov 12:56 NZDT British sailor Alex Thomson 'back in race mode' British sailor Alex Thomson 'back in race mode' On the charge towards the Southern Ocean Alex Thomson is back in action in the Vendée Globe and preparing to enter the Southern Ocean, after structural damage onboard his HUGO BOSS boat temporarily halted his hunt for the title. by Alex Thomson Racing Posted 28 Nov 08:04 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 20: A brave new world Vendée Globe Day 20: A brave new world Charlie Dalin escaped into the Roaring Forties After cutting off part of his damaged port foil LinkedOut solo skipper Thomas Ruyant is back in full race mode, chasing runaway Vendée Globe leader Charlie Dalin who has escaped into the Roaring Forties. by Vendée Globe Posted 28 Nov 07:48 NZDT Prada ACWS & Xmas Cup format announced Prada ACWS & Xmas Cup format announced Racing gets underway in three weeks in the Prada America's Cup World Series and the Prada Xmas Cup In less than three weeks four international teams from New Zealand, Italy, United States, and Great Britain will line up for Prada America's Cup World Series Auckland and the Prada Christmas Race (December 17-20). by CoR36 Media Posted 28 Nov 01:36 NZDT Alex Thomson preparing for the Southern Ocean Alex Thomson preparing for the Southern Ocean Taking advantage of the light conditions to further reinforce the repairs Update from Ross Daniel, Technical Director at Alex Thomson Racing: "Yesterday evening, Alex decided to take advantage of the light conditions to further reinforce the repairs to increase the safety factors before he enters the Southern Ocean." by Alex Thomson Racing Posted 28 Nov 00:50 NZDT PlanetSail 36th America's Cup Analysis PlanetSail 36th America's Cup Analysis The Defender: The Boat to Beat If there's one hard fact in a sea of uncertainty, this is identifying the team that needs to be beaten to win the America's Cup, the current Defender representatives, Emirates Team New Zealand. by Matt Sheahan Posted 27 Nov 22:21 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 20 morning update Vendée Globe Day 20 morning update First Albatross for Sam as she turns left Finally, this afternoon I put the indicator on and have officially turned LEFT towards the Cape of Good Hope! by Vendée Globe Posted 27 Nov 21:58 NZDT To cut or not to cut - that is the question To cut or not to cut - that is the question Thomas Ruyant pondering what to do with his shattered port foil The question for Thomas Ruyant and his LinkedOut team is what to do with the shattered port foil that the team has confirmed suffered structural failure, not impact from an object or animal in the water. by Ed Gorman / IMOCA Globe Series Posted 27 Nov 19:25 NZDT Doyle Sails to back RNZYS for three years Doyle Sails to back RNZYS for three years Doyle Sails sign significant three-year partnership with RNZYS RNZYS has announced a three-year partnership agreement with world-renowned sailmaker Doyle Sails. The significant partnership agreement includes Doyle Sails being recognised as the ‘Official Sailmaker of the RNZYS, Home of the America's Cup' by Andrew Delves, RNZYS Posted 27 Nov 16:45 NZDT Ten teams to tangle at women's keelboat nationals Ten teams to tangle at women's keelboat nationals The strong field will contest the national title in the RNZYS' one design MRX fleet. Ten all-female teams will take to the water in the MRX fleet at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland this weekend for the 2020 Barfoot & Thompson NZ Women's National Keelboat Championship. by Andrew Delves - RNZYS Posted 27 Nov 12:01 NZDT Young 88 National Championships wrap Young 88 National Championships wrap Raging Hormones reigns again at the Young 88 nationals ahead of two fleet debutantes. After a high-pressure decision to postpone the Nationals on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March, the event was successfully completed last weekend by a competitive fleet of sixteen boats racing in ideal conditions... Take that Covid! by Mike Leyland Posted 27 Nov 10:52 NZDT Gitana Jules Verne Trophy record update Gitana Jules Verne Trophy record update Maxi Edmond de Rothschild settling into life in the fast track Since Tuesday evening, at 20:37 UTC on the dot, and their departure from the dock in Lorient to make for the start line off the north-west tip of Brittany, the pace has continued to pick up for the men of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. by Gitana Team Posted 27 Nov 09:41 NZDT Vendée Globe Day 19: Southern Ocean on the menu Vendée Globe Day 19: Southern Ocean on the menu The not too distant Roar of the Forties At the same time as Alex Thomson euphorically announced this morning that 'the BOSS is Back', his French rival, second placed Thomas Ruyant and his team are deciding what to do about the damaged port foil on his LinkedOut. by Vendée Globe Posted 27 Nov 06:30 NZDT