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 23 Oct 19:27 UTC Alex Thomson Racing announce Oceanvolt partnership Alex Thomson Racing announce Oceanvolt partnershipSet to integrate electric motor system in new IMOCAAlex Thomson Racing has underlined its commitment to sustainability by declaring an ambition to race around the world without the use of fossil fuels.by Alex Thomson Racing Posted 23 Oct 17:39 UTC 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 23 Oct 14:48 UTC 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 12:09 UTC 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 11:51 UTC Catamarans Cup Leg 2: Next destination Kythnos Catamarans Cup Leg 2: Next destination KythnosIt was time for some more sailing for the crewsFollowing the morning brief where they came up with their sailing plans, they managed to reach their destination and enjoyed the BBQ night that was organised afterwards. Stay tuned for more!by Catamarans Cup International Regatta Posted 23 Oct 11:25 UTC 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 10:25 UTC 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 07:00 UTC 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 06:28 UTC 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 03:50 UTC 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 02:09 UTC 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 22 Oct 17:00 UTC 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 22 Oct 15:52 UTC 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 22 Oct 15:17 UTC Catamarans Cup Leg 1 Catamarans Cup Leg 1The first leg of the ninth edition is completeStarting point was set at the marina of Alimos, Greece, and the first destination of the boats was the beautiful island of Kea. The winners of the first leg were presented at the award giving ceremony followed by a fabulous 80's Disco Party.by Catamarans Cup International Regatta Posted 22 Oct 14:02 UTC 2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit Round 6 2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit Round 6Wind deprived finale in the Central SolentThe sixth and final round of the 2018 FAST40+ Circuit proved a frustrating one for the sailors involved, but at least served to confirm the pre-eminence of Rán 7 in a competitive fleet.by Phil Riley Posted 22 Oct 12:25 UTC 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 12:02 UTC Pontos Winches Get 'Karverized' part 2 Pontos Winches Get 'Karverized' part 2What makes the design so unique?In our previous post, Upffront broke the news that Karver Systems had acquired Brittany based Pontos and their range of innovative winches. Now operating under the name 'Pontos by Karver' it's time to consider: what makes the design so unique?by Kerri Robson, Upffront Posted 22 Oct 08:00 UTC International Masters Regatta at San Diego overall International Masters Regatta at San Diego overallFive time Match Racing Champion Dave Perry winsAn impressive fleet of determined sailors came to the 2018 International Masters Regatta ready to race. Five time Match Racing Champion Dave Perry came to race too, but like a true Master, his preparation began the moment he received his invitation.by Casey Allocco Posted 22 Oct 05:26 UTC 2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy overall 2018 KiteFoil World Series Italy overallNocher crowned at KiteFoil World Series FinalMonaco's Maxime Nocher trumpeted his comeback when he lifted the KiteFoil world champion's crown after a stuttering World Series final fought out on the Italian resort island of Sardinia.by Ian MacKinnon Posted 22 Oct 04:51 UTC