Inside Melges: The February Issue Inside Melges: The February Issue Continuing tradition while pushing forward It was nearly 75 years ago that Harry C. Melges Sr. built the first Melges Boat. Today, the Melges commitment to detail, community building, and passion for the sport hasn't changed. by Melges Performance Sailboats Posted 22 Feb 19:00 GMT A Seadek installation from start to finish A Seadek installation from start to finish Non-slip custom installation on a new Merlin Rocket The Seadek is cut on a CNC machine, which uses a CAD design to map the pattern so the cutting head knows exactly where to cut or machine the material. We use a Mylar to make the initial templates, cut into rough shapes, and then the outline is drawn on. by Matt Churchward, TMS Posted 22 Feb 17:00 GMT The Ocean Race bags hat-trick of shortlists The Ocean Race bags hat-trick of shortlists For prestigious industry-selected sport awards The Race has been nominated for prizes by sports industry selectors in a trio of areas – Fan or Community Engagement Award, Cutting Edge Sport Award, Social and Sustainable Development Award – following a record-breaking 2017-18 edition. by The Ocean Race Posted 22 Feb 15:20 GMT Dart 18 Worlds in Thailand overall Dart 18 Worlds in Thailand overall Dave and Louise Roberts, the 2017 World Champions, win in 2019 What a final day! 10 to 14 knots of wind with a cloudless sky yet again. "This is normal" said one member prompting the thought that, if this is normal, why aren't there more world champions from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club? by Mark Hamill-Stewart Posted 22 Feb 14:52 GMT Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series wk. 7 Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series wk. 7 Just over 60 boats turned out in near-perfect conditions At last we had near-perfect conditions for week 7 of this nine-week series; it was sunny and mild and the only slight negative was that the wind being from anywhere in the south limits the length of the second windward leg. by Jenny Pavey Posted 22 Feb 13:12 GMT Wizard wins the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy Wizard wins the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy David and Peter Askew's American Volvo 70 scores best IRC corrected time David and Peter Askew's American Volvo 70 Wizard has won the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, scoring the best corrected time under IRC. Wizard put in a near faultless performance to complete the 600 mile non-stop race in 43 hours 38 minutes and 44 seconds by Louay Habib Posted 22 Feb 10:23 GMT 18ft Skiff Club Championship final this weekend 18ft Skiff Club Championship final this weekend Can the Asko Appliances team add a 3rd title to their season record? The Asko Appliances 18ft Skiff team is set to add the Australian 18 Footers League Club Championship to its trophy cabinet as the team leads the 18-strong fleet into Sunday's last race of the series on Sydney Harbour. by Frank Quealey Posted 22 Feb 10:02 GMT Torsional Furling Cable - What's an S-Splice? Torsional Furling Cable - What's an S-Splice? Another cunning use for the 'Chinese finger trap' principle When it comes to furling cables, custom top-down cables (for loose luff, asymmetrical gennakers) and bottom-up cables (for code zeros and staysails) can sometimes be expensive. Torsional rope can often be a viable alternative. by Kerri Robson Posted 22 Feb 09:00 GMT Nespresso Int'l Youth MR Cup: Host leads on Day 2 Nespresso Int'l Youth MR Cup: Host leads on Day 2 RNZYS Performance Programme Teams are leading the 14-boat fleet after Day 2 RNZYS Performance Programme Teams lead by James Wilson and Nick Egnot-Johnson are leading the 14-boat fleet after two days of match racing in Auckland at the Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Cup. by Andrew Delves Posted 22 Feb 08:28 GMT America's Cup: AC75 rig concept took 20 minutes America's Cup: AC75 rig concept took 20 minutes Top sail designer, Burns Fallow explains the two-skinned mainsail and AC75 rig - Part 1 Emirates Team New Zealand sail designer, Burns Fallow says the radical idea for a two skinned mainsail for the AC75 foiling monohull came up after just a 20-minute brainstorming session held a month after the America's Cup win in Bermuda. by Richard Gladwell Posted 22 Feb 03:19 GMT Deja-vu for Sailing on IOC Qualifier crackdown Deja-vu for Sailing on IOC Qualifier crackdown In a case similar to Sailing in 2015, the IOC has acted decisively on Visa refusal for athletes Exclusion of Pakistani shooters has parallels to similar exclusions in Sailing in 2013-2016 where Israeli sailors were excluded from world championships by countries who had an estranged diplomatic relationship with Israel. by Richard Gladwell Posted 21 Feb 21:10 GMT Regional Youth Champion Awards at RYA Dinghy Show Regional Youth Champion Awards at RYA Dinghy Show Eleven sailors and windsurfers have been revealed as winners Each of the regional and home country champions and their families have been invited to the official awards presentation taking place at 13:30 on Sunday 03 March, at the RYA Dinghy Show. by Becky Gilbert-Wood Posted 21 Feb 20:08 GMT Cowes Classics Week opens for entries Cowes Classics Week opens for entries Red Funnel will be providing invaluable support for both the organisers and competitors Cowes Classics Week, the largest classic yacht regatta in the world is delighted to announce today that Red Funnel has taken the role of Signature Sponsor for the event. by Cowes Classics Week Posted 21 Feb 20:06 GMT Heineken Regatta Village to open on February 25th Heineken Regatta Village to open on February 25th Showing what people can expect during the week of the Regatta The St Maarten Heineken Regatta will set sail on February 28th – March 3rd and is hosting a kick-off party with the grand opening of the Regatta Village this coming Monday February 25th at 6pm. by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Posted 21 Feb 17:11 GMT How sailors are preparing for The Ocean Race How sailors are preparing for The Ocean Race Two and a half years to go to the start With just over two and a half years to go to the start, the organisers and sailors are already busy preparing behind the scenes for this new event on the IMOCA calendar. by IMOCA Globe Series Posted 21 Feb 16:56 GMT RORC Caribbean 600 - Class40 fight to the finish RORC Caribbean 600 - Class40 fight to the finish Class40 Eärendil won Line Honours for the Class40 Division In the early hours of Thursday 21 February, after two and a half days and nights of intense competition and over 600 miles of racing, it all came down to just a few minutes. by Louay Habib Posted 21 Feb 16:05 GMT Zhik's new ECO wetsuits first UK preview Zhik's new ECO wetsuits first UK preview Take a look at the RYA Dinghy Show On show for the first time in the UK at the RYA Dinghy Show, Zhik's new ECO technical wetsuits look set to change the face of performance sailing wear for the future. by Liz Rushall Posted 21 Feb 14:00 GMT Torbay Royal Regatta 2019 preview Torbay Royal Regatta 2019 preview Set for the August Bank Holiday Weekend Three great days of racing for IRC and Cruiser Classes, Sportsboats, PY Dinghies and Junior Classes with racing taking place on the fine sailing waters of Torbay on the English Riviera. by Bob Penfold Posted 21 Feb 13:05 GMT RS Aero UK Winter Championship at The Oxford Blue RS Aero UK Winter Championship at The Oxford Blue A whopping 48 of the 160 boats entered were RS Aeros Race one set the precedent, with inconsistent gusts and shifts being the challenge of the day. As the first race started, the wind was very light. by Tim Hire Posted 21 Feb 12:15 GMT Dart 18 Worlds day 4 Dart 18 Worlds day 4 Competition recommences after a lay-day in Thailand Sun again and a postponed start as the wind took more time to pick up today. The competition recommenced after a lay-day and a very good party until the early hours of this morning. by Mark Hamill-Stewart Posted 21 Feb 12:08 GMT On the campaign trail On the campaign trail We speak to GJW Direct sponsored sailor Jack Graham-Troll Jack Graham-Troll is a Laser 4.7 sailor who is working his way up the fleet at RYA Squad events at the same time as trying to balance his school work and other weekend activities. by Mark Jardine Posted 21 Feb 11:36 GMT RS800 20th anniversary celebrations RS800 20th anniversary celebrations The design is 20 years old this year, but the class is going from strength to strength The RS800 design is 20 years old this year, but the class is going from strength to strength. Nationals attendance has grown for the last five years and over 960 sailors have competed in the 20 National Championships since 1999. by Emma McEwen Posted 21 Feb 11:02 GMT RNZYS Nespresso Youth MR: 14 teams line up RNZYS Nespresso Youth MR: 14 teams line up Fourteen high calibre youth match racing teams will sail in the Nespresso Youth MR Cup Fourteen high calibre youth match racing teams have arrived at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the 2019 Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Cup. by Andrew Delves, RNZYS Posted 20 Feb 22:46 GMT Monohull line honours for Wizard Monohull line honours for Wizard Magic Moment in the RORC Caribbean 600 David & Peter Askew (USA) racing their Volvo 70 Wizard have taken Monohull Line Honours in the RORC Caribbean 600 crossing the finish line on Wednesday 20 February at 07:08:44 AST in an elapsed time of 1d 19h 38m 44s. by Louay Habib Posted 20 Feb 21:20 GMT Blithfield Barrel round 4 Blithfield Barrel round 4 Another windy edition to conclude the series The fourth and final round of the 2018-19 Blithfield Barrel was another windy edition, the wind was challenging, but nowhere near as extreme as the previous round which was abandoned mid-race due to deteriorating conditions. by Tim Male Posted 20 Feb 21:03 GMT SEAS scheme gets national award SEAS scheme gets national award A North Wales sailing centre has received the #MoreThanSailing Award Jon Gamon and SEAS (Supporting Enabling Accessible Sailing) Sailability group at Conway Centre on Anglesey collected the #MoreThanSailing Award at 2019 RYA Sailability Annual Awards, at Sailability National Conference and Awards Dinner at Wyboston Lakes. by RYA Cymru-Wales Posted 20 Feb 20:51 GMT Steinlager back onboard with Emirates Team NZ Steinlager back onboard with Emirates Team NZ Steinlager signs on with Emirates Team NZ for the 36th America's Cup Emirates Team New Zealand has announced that Steinlager will return as an Official Sponsor and Official Beer Partner of Emirates Team New Zealand's for the defence of the 36th America's Cup - on the team's home waters in Auckland in 2021. by Emirates Team New Zealand Posted 20 Feb 20:14 GMT Golden Globe Race day 234 Golden Globe Race day 234 Third placed Estonian skipper Uku Randmaa has escaped disqualification Third placed Estonian skipper Uku Randmaa has escaped disqualification from the Golden Globe race after breaching the strict rules forbidding outside assistance, but has been handed a 72-hour penalty for asking and receiving weather routing information by Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 20 Feb 18:01 GMT Ausome Charity takes on the Fastnet Ausome Charity takes on the Fastnet With a global autistic crew Ausome, a registered charity promoting the personal and social growth of individuals of all ages who have Autism Spectrum Conditions through an exciting programme of sailing, has launched a campaign to compete in the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race. by Paul Wood Posted 20 Feb 15:41 GMT Burghfield Winter Optimist Open Burghfield Winter Optimist Open Rooster Optimist Southern Traveller Series event Burghfield hosted the first of its two annual Optimist Open meetings on a misty Saturday 16th February. Following bacon baps and briefings a gentle 4-6 knots from the south arrived to start racing mid morning. by Tom Jones Posted 20 Feb 15:22 GMT Cadet Class 2019 Season Preview Cadet Class 2019 Season Preview Cadet sailors will be out in force at the RYA Dinghy Show It doesn't quite feel right to say that anticipation is growing ahead of the 2019 Cadet Season as things never really stop in the UK Cadet Class through the winter anyway. by Neil Collingridge Posted 20 Feb 13:00 GMT RS400s back in force RS400s back in force For the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Spring Series The annual RS400 Spring series resumes again this Sunday 24th February at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club. This event along with its precursor the Autumn Series has enjoyed remarkable success at the Co. Down Club. by Gerry Reid Posted 20 Feb 12:52 GMT Class association set to return to RYA Dinghy Show Class association set to return to RYA Dinghy Show Among this year's exhibitors are more than 80 class associations The RYA launched the Class Association Stage at the 2018 RYA Dinghy Show, featuring various different classes, spread throughout the weekend. by Becky Gilbert-Wood Posted 20 Feb 12:00 GMT Noble Marine Winter Championship Preview Noble Marine Winter Championship Preview Season begins this Saturday at Chew Valley Lake The National Solo season begins this Saturday at Chew Valley Lake S.C. and with a very promising forecast, a large and talented fleet is anticipated. by Will Loy Posted 20 Feb 11:03 GMT RORC Caribbean 600 Record for Maserati Multi70 RORC Caribbean 600 Record for Maserati Multi70 The extraordinary events will be remembered for years to come Maserati Multi 70 skippered by Giovanni Soldini (ITA) crossed the finish line of the RORC Caribbean 600 at 20:49:00 AST on Tuesday 19 February 2019 in an elapsed time of one day, 06 hours 49 minutes and 00 seconds by Louay Habib Posted 20 Feb 10:17 GMT 23 years of 18ft Skiff Racing Sponsorship 23 years of 18ft Skiff Racing Sponsorship The Rag & Famish Hotel has been a successful sponsor of the 18 Footers on Sydney Harbour Since the late George Calligeros purchased 'The Rag' in May 1975, the hotel has developed equally strong family values as Peter and Anna Calligeros continue the business under the Calligeros Hotel group banner. by Frank Quealey Posted 20 Feb 09:50 GMT From Grass Roots to Grand Prix From Grass Roots to Grand Prix Marlow Ropes showcase Education & Innovation at the RYA Dinghy Show Meet your British Sailing Team heroes, win a race day at the European Championships & learn the latest innovations in ropes with Marlow Ropes (Stand G42) at this year's RYA Dinghy Show. by Emma Donovan Posted 20 Feb 09:00 GMT Big conditions to kick start European season Big conditions to kick start European season Wild rides in Vilamoura for the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes Vilamoura, Portugal, has been growing as a winter destination for the past few seasons. Regattas in December and now February attracted 109 and then 116 boats respectively across 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17. by Ben Remocker Posted 20 Feb 05:56 GMT Did someone say Opa?! Did someone say Opa?! The “Emerald Isle of Greece” Corfu is blessed with endless amounts of epic hiking trails, but beyond its verdant landscapes, you will find flamingos by the Lefkimmi salt pans, pods of dolphins along its shimmering coastline and the traditional “smashing of the plates” come Easter! by Sunsail Posted 19 Feb 22:19 GMT Entries open for Rolex Giraglia 2019 Entries open for Rolex Giraglia 2019 Innovation in 67th edition with the finish line in Monaco There will be an innovation in edition number 67 of the Rolex Giraglia 2019 with the finish of the offshore race in the waters of the Principality of Monaco and plenty of news also in St Tropez. by Yacht Club Italiano Posted 19 Feb 18:47 GMT