Joyon sets course record in the Route du Rhum Joyon sets course record in the Route du RhumJoyon sets course record in the Route du Rhum–Destination GuadeloupeFrance's Francis Joyon (62), sailing aboard IDEC Sport, crossed the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe's finishing line seven minutes and eight seconds ahead of Francois Gabart (FRA; 35), to set a new course record.by David Schmidt Posted 12 Nov 09:00 PST 49th Star Class South American Championship 49th Star Class South American ChampionshipRobert Scheidt and Arthur Lopes win in RioRobert Scheidt and Arthur Lopes (BRA) are the 2018 South American champions of the Star class. The two-time Olympic champion won the first race on Sunday, last day of the event, at the Yacht Club in Rio de Janeiro, and finished second in the last.by Rachele Vitello Posted 12 Nov 11:23 PST Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 9 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 9François Gabart says he's happy with his second-placed finishAt the moment, François Gabart says he's happy with his finish at Pointe-à-Pitre and to have been able to battle to the end, even though Francis Joyon stole the victory by taking the lead at the finishing line, just seven minutes ahead of him.by Route du Rhum Posted 12 Nov 10:51 PST Emirates Team NZ are first team in Cup Village Emirates Team NZ are first team in Cup VillageLong the Cinderella of America's Cup teams, Emirates Team NZ have now made it to the glass palaceAfter years of being cooped up in a grimy, gritty base, America's Cup victors Emirates Team New Zealand finally have a sparkling new home on Auckland's waterfront. Suzanne McFadden takes a look insideby Suzanne McFadden Posted 12 Nov 10:14 PST Optimist Asian/Oceanian Championship practice day Optimist Asian/Oceanian Championship practice dayTeams arrive in MyanmarYesterday marked the opening day of the 2018 Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship, hosted by the Ngwe Saung Yacht Club and Resort with the support of the Myanmar Yachting Federation.by Fiona Kidd Posted 12 Nov 06:58 PST Joyon snatches record-setting victory Joyon snatches record-setting victoryIn thrilling finale to Route du Rhum-Destination GuadeloupeIn the closest finish since it was first staged in 1978, the French ocean racing veteran Francis Joyon won the 40th anniversary Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe solo transatlantic race from Saint Malo to Pointe-À-Pitre early this morning.by Route du Rhum Posted 11 Nov 22:56 PST 2018 Melges 40 Grand Prix season concludes 2018 Melges 40 Grand Prix season concludesStig, Sikon and Inga on the podiumThe Lanzarote edition of the Melges 40 Grand Prix season has officially come to a close, as the tenth race has been run and the results are finalized for the 2018 ranking.by Melges 40 Class Posted 11 Nov 21:44 PST Minutes separate winners in Route du Rhum finish Minutes separate winners in Route du Rhum finishTwo lead boats Francis Joyon and François Gabart finish just over 7 minutes apartAfter a hard sail in the opening stanza of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, the two lead boats Francis Joyon on IDEC Sport and François Gabart aboard Macif finished just over seven minutes apart after a thrilling finish at night in Guadeloupeby Sail-World.com/nz Posted 11 Nov 20:07 PST Red Bull Foiling Generation World Final Red Bull Foiling Generation World FinalNew Zealand victorious in MiamiAfter a year of qualifying races held all over the world, Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie from New Zealand emerged as the victors of the Red Bull Foiling Generation World Final. They've put themselves on the map as future stars in the sport.by Dan Palumbo Posted 11 Nov 16:08 PST Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 8 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 8A foil and a rudder missing on the MACIF Trimaran"François never gives in," says Thomas Normand of the technical team. "The loss of the foil did not cause sufficient damage to force him to retire. Naturally, these hitches have had an impact on performance, but she is still fighting for a win."by Route du Rhum Posted 11 Nov 15:31 PST 12 Metre World Championship set for Newport 12 Metre World Championship set for NewportA sailing spectacle like no otherWith a little over eight months to go, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) America's Fleet and the 12 Metre Yacht Club are gearing up for the largest-ever gathering of historic 12 Metre yachts in the U.S.by Barby MacGowan Posted 11 Nov 13:53 PST Oldest tale of them all Oldest tale of them allIn order to finish first, first you have to finishIn order to finish first, first you have to finish. Certainly felt for the Golden Globe Race leader, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede this week. He has so much daylight between he and second place, Mark Slats, that they are often up to two weather systems apart.by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS Posted 11 Nov 13:00 PST Harvest Moon Regatta in Texas Harvest Moon Regatta in Texas119 boats return to the usual finish line in Port AransasHundreds of racers look forward to this event each fall. No matter their sailing skill-levels, novice to expert, the "Harvest Moon" is a fun offshore race that ends with a fabulous outdoor party with plenty of refreshments, and live entertainment.by J/Boats Posted 11 Nov 02:23 PST Beautiful start for Hot Rum Series Beautiful start for Hot Rum SeriesA fleet of 136 boats is participatingThe race is a simple "pursuit style" event, where the slowest boats start first and the fastest boats start last; whomever crossed the finish line first boat-for-boat is declared the winner.by J/Boats Posted 11 Nov 01:24 PST Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote overall Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote overallRombelli conquers at the helm of StigCongratulations are in full order for 2018 Melges 40 Lanzarote Grand Prix Champion Alessandro Rombelli at the helm of Stig. Racing alongside was tactician Francesco Bruni, with crew members.by Melges 40 Class Posted 10 Nov 21:36 PST Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 7 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 7Alex Thomson is still leading the fleet of IMOCAsOn the sixth day of racing in the Route du Rhum, British skipper Alex Thomson is still leading the fleet of IMOCAs. In the trade winds, he is being chased by three skippers, Paul Meilhat, Vincent Riou and Yann Eliès.by Route du Rhum Posted 10 Nov 11:49 PST RC44 Championship Tour finale starts next week RC44 Championship Tour finale starts next weekFleet will once again take to the waters of Cascais for final showdownHaving defended their World Championship trophy last month, becoming the first team ever to claim a hat trick of RC44 World titles, Vladimir Prosikhin and tactician Dean Barker of Team Nika currently lead the fleet.by RC44 Class Association Posted 10 Nov 06:17 PST Return of Athos and the Flying Machines Return of Athos and the Flying MachinesSet for the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600The 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 is set to be a spectacular edition of the fantastic 600 nautical mile race around 11 Caribbean islands. Of the early entries, the largest yacht competing will be the 203ft schooner Athosby Louay Habib Posted 10 Nov 04:36 PST North Sails Weekly Debrief North Sails Weekly Debrief36th America's Cup, A-Cat Preview, 3Di For All, Solo Skipper Trusts NorthNorth Sails is once again leading the way in the America's Cup as three of four teams have confirmed North Sails as their supplier of choice.by North Sails Posted 10 Nov 04:00 PST Laura Baldwin's view on the scuttling of the Finn Laura Baldwin's view on the scuttling of the FinnWTF* should never be a question after a decision is made for any change at the Olympic GamesWTF* should never be a question after a decision is made for any change at the Olympic Games. Changes should be made long enough in advance not to immediately impact people's lives in such a devastating way. There should be no shock surprises. by Laura Baldwin Posted 9 Nov 22:28 PST Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote day 2 Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote day 2Rombelli's STIG extends leadWith six races complete at the 2018 Melges 40 Grand Prix in Lanzarote, Alessandro Rombelli's STIG (Francesco Bruni, tactician) has extended his lead in the most impressive manner.by Melges 40 Class Posted 9 Nov 17:02 PST American Magic show off AC75 test boat - Video American Magic show off AC75 test boat - VideoFirst team video of their AC75 surrogate nick named "The Mule" as she foils on Narragansett BayAmerican Magic, the New York Yacht Club's entry in the 36th America's Cup, has released the first team video of their AC75 surrogate nick named "The Mule" as it foils on Narragansett Bay. In this revealing video we can see the 38ft long Mule tucked inby American Magic Posted 9 Nov 16:38 PST Multi-Million investment comes to an end Multi-Million investment comes to an endAfter pumping USD$20million into match racing owner Håkan Svensson now wants outSwedish businessman and passionate sailor Håkan Svensson had a long pedigree of supporting professional sailing when he bought the World Match Racing Tour in 2015. Now after spending three years and tens of millions of dollars transforming the event almosby Justin Chisholm, Yachtracing.life Posted 9 Nov 16:15 PST Italians condemn changes made to 2024 Olympics Italians condemn changes made to 2024 OlympicsIs the future of sailing at risk? Well, the president of the Italian Sailing Federation is worried…Italian sailing website Farevela.net interviews with the President of the Italian sailing federation soon after his return from last weekend's Annual Conference of World Sailing, where it was decided to have a Mixed Two-Person Offshore event in 2024.by Michele Tognozzi Posted 9 Nov 14:36 PST Mike Golding: Sailing can be a peoples sport Mike Golding: Sailing can be a peoples sportOne of the veterans of short handed racing gives some insights into the Olympic eventFrench newsletter Tip & Shaft interviewed Mike Golding a veteran of the trans-oceanic and short-handed scene since 1992. The main point of interest centred around his views on the proposed Mixed Two-Person Offshore keelboat eventby Tip and Shaft Posted 9 Nov 14:21 PST Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 6 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 6Sunshine and shorts time as Thomson looks to capitalizeAfter five days of tough racing in the 2018 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe solo transatlantic race from Saint Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in the French Caribbean, Britain's Alex Thomson is in good spirits and looking to put the hammer down on Hugo Boss.by Route du Rhum Posted 9 Nov 10:15 PST RS Aeros at the Wurstfest Regatta RS Aeros at the Wurstfest RegattaSaturday saw winds of 18 knots gusting to 35 and moreWell, Wurstfest is over! Lake Canyon YC hosted the 50th Annual Wurstfest Regatta this past weekend and Canyon Lake let us know who the real boss is. 15 RS Aeros signed up for a 50th annual blast, and I mean blast!by Ash Beatty Posted 9 Nov 09:27 PST CanAm Championship Series returns to South Florida CanAm Championship Series returns to South FloridaNOR for 2.4mR Series is now availableThe U.S. 2.4 Meter Class Association has announced its return to South Florida's West Coast for the third edition of the class' CanAm Championship Series which will feature five regattas hosted from the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club (CHYC)by Jan Harley Posted 9 Nov 07:42 PST Dates announced for 2019 FAST40+ Race Circuit Dates announced for 2019 FAST40+ Race CircuitMore thrilling high speed action for the owner-driver classThe fourth edition of the FAST40+ Race Circuit promises more thrilling high speed action for the owner-driver class. There will be six scoring rounds including the HYS FAST40+ National Championship and the One Ton Cup.by FAST40+ Class Posted 9 Nov 07:12 PST Route du Rhum IMOCA analysis by Morgan Lagravière Route du Rhum IMOCA analysis by Morgan LagravièreFour skippers are sailing in the trade winds and are now battling it out to win this raceWhile Yannick Bestaven has unfortunately been forced to retire, Jérémie Beyou, Alexia Barrier, Fabrice Amedeo, Manuel Cousin and Romain Attanasio intend to set sail again after carrying out pit stops.by IMOCA Globe Series Posted 9 Nov 06:34 PST The US SailGP team - Images and Video in the F50 The US SailGP team - Images and Video in the F50The US SailGP team has started their training sessions off Whangarei, Northland, New ZealandThe US SailGP team has started their training sessions off Whangarei, Northland, New Zealandby Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz Posted 9 Nov 05:56 PST November news from the Herreshoff Marine Museum November news from the Herreshoff Marine MuseumIn This Issue: Herreshoff 12½'s for sale, Upcoming lectures, Holiday prints and cards, ResoluteNovember 2018 newsletter from the Herreshoff Marine Museum. In this issue: Herreshoff 12½'s for Sale, Upcoming Lectures, Holiday Prints and Cards, Resolute, Upcoming Events, Frostbite Bash 2019, Inspire Innovation with HMM, Annual Sponsorsby Herreshoff Marine Museum Posted 9 Nov 04:16 PST Golden Globe Race day 131 Golden Globe Race day 131Jean-Luc Van Den Heede given 18 hour time penalty for improper use of GGR satellite phoneFrench solo yachtsman Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, the current Golden Globe Race leader, rang GGR organisers to advise that his yacht Matmut had sustained mast damage, that all was OK, and that he intended to sail for Chile when conditions improved.by Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 9 Nov 03:40 PST New Laser fleet available for training or charter New Laser fleet available for training or charterRoyal Akarana Yacht Club has purchased 20 brand new Lasers from Performance Sailcraft AustraliaRoyal Akarana Yacht Club has purchased 20 brand new Lasers from Performance Sailcraft Australia which will be available for use within the club racing sector and for external charter. The 20 Lasers are available in Standard, Radial and 4.7 configurationby Royal Akarana YC Posted 9 Nov 03:26 PST The Clagett announces 2018 Boat Grant recipients The Clagett announces 2018 Boat Grant recipientsThere will be four recipients for the 2018 Clagett Boat Grant ProgramIn 2017 Shaylagh Ley from Nepean, Ontario received a 2.4mR boat from The Clagett Boat Grant Program and will be sharing the boat with a fellow Nepean Sailing Club member, Brian Peckover.by Sam Crichton Posted 9 Nov 02:50 PST Introduction to Core Fibres in Modern Ropes Introduction to Core Fibres in Modern RopesThe majority are polyester or DyneemaThere are many core materials used in rope making (e.g. Vectran®, PBO, polypropylene, hemp, nylon etc) but the vast majority of modern ropes are based on a polyester, or increasingly, a Dyneema® core. Get a basic introduction here.by Phil Anniss Posted 9 Nov 01:00 PST François Gabart pushing into the red zone a little François Gabart pushing into the red zone a littleThe MACIF trimaran reached the halfway mark between St. Malo and Point-à-PitreThis Thursday morning, just as the MACIF trimaran reached the halfway mark between St. Malo and Point-à-Pitre, and still in the lead, François Gabart considered the Ultime's Route du Rhum and admitted how much he admires Francis Joyon and how sorry he is.by Trimaran MACIF Posted 8 Nov 21:26 PST Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote day 1 Melges 40 Grand Prix at Lanzarote day 1Rombelli to the frontThe final event of the 2018 Melges 40 Grand Prix circuit got underway on Thursday with Alessandro Rombelli's STIG (Francesco Bruni, tactician) taking the early lead.by Melges 40 Class Posted 8 Nov 16:58 PST Maiden begins her two-year world tour Maiden begins her two-year world tourRaising awareness and funds for girls' education worldwideMaiden has began her two-year world tour to raise awareness and funds for girls' education around the world, leaving from The Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble for the first stopover to be held in India in December 2018.by Libby Mudditt Posted 8 Nov 14:12 PST ASA's Veterans Sailing Education Program ASA's Veterans Sailing Education ProgramASA and Affiliate Schools join forces in year-long Program starting on Veterans DayAmerican Sailing Association ASA, in partnership with its national network of affiliate sailing schools, announced a special initiative exclusively for active and retired military to thank them for their sacrificesby American Sailing Association Posted 8 Nov 13:57 PST