Regatta - Sail Universe https://sailuniverse.com/category/regatta/ The web galaxy dedicated to sea and sailors, cruising and adventures, gears and videos Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:19:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sailuniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cropped-Logo-quadrato-32x32.jpg Regatta - Sail Universe https://sailuniverse.com/category/regatta/ 32 32 Kirsten Neuschäfer Makes history as the First Woman to Win the Golden Globe Race https://sailuniverse.com/2023/04/28/kirsten-neuschafer-makes-history-as-the-first-woman-to-win-the-golden-globe-race/ https://sailuniverse.com/2023/04/28/kirsten-neuschafer-makes-history-as-the-first-woman-to-win-the-golden-globe-race/#comments Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:03:08 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48586 By crossing the finish line of the ancestor of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne this Thursday at 21:43:47 CET, the South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer has achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in ocean racing. Winner of the Golden Globe race, without assistance or technology, after 235 days, 5 hours, 44 minutes and 4 seconds of racing …

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By crossing the finish line of the ancestor of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne this Thursday at 21:43:47 CET, the South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer has achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in ocean racing. Winner of the Golden Globe race, without assistance or technology, after 235 days, 5 hours, 44 minutes and 4 seconds of racing (final time will be determined after the calculation of penalties for using fuel and bonuses), Kirsten became the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race under sail. This achievement was celebrated in Les Sables d’Olonne, now more than ever the world capital of single-handed ocean racing.

At 40 years of age, the South African Kirsten Neuschäfer completed an eight-month long journey, alone in the face of the elements, without contact, collecting rainwater to survive. Her feat is all the more impressive as her world tour was marked by a rescue. In the heart of the Indian Ocean, she helped Finnish sailor Tapio Lehtinen. Kirsten welcomed him on her boat before he was transferred to a cargo ship and Kirsten continued her journey.

Kirsten’s performance is as unprecedented as it is impressive. The first woman to round Cape Horn in a race last February, she also became the first to win a race around the world. Many in the world of ocean racing are congratulating the South African. Yann Eliès, a regular in the sailing world, praises the sailor who “loves adventure with a capital A“.

What she has achieved is incredible,” said Catherine Chabaud, the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe (1996-1997). “There is something extraordinary in the air,” said the sailor.

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Team Holcim-PRB has dismasted – all crew safe https://sailuniverse.com/2023/04/27/team-holcim-prb-has-dismasted-all-crew-safe/ Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:33:57 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48583 Skipper Kevin Escoffier has reported his team is safe after dismasting during leg 4 of The Ocean Race. Team Holcim-PRB was racing approximately 20 miles off the coast of Brazil in moderate winds and sea state. The dismasting occurred just after 0500 UTC (0200 local time) on 27 April, on the fourth day of leg …

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Skipper Kevin Escoffier has reported his team is safe after dismasting during leg 4 of The Ocean Race. Team Holcim-PRB was racing approximately 20 miles off the coast of Brazil in moderate winds and sea state.

The dismasting occurred just after 0500 UTC (0200 local time) on 27 April, on the fourth day of leg 4.
Team Holcim-PRB, the overall race leader, was in the lead at the time, 9 miles ahead of 11th Hour Racing Team.

We will have more information as soon as it becomes available.

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Registration is Open For the 2023 Camden Classics Cup https://sailuniverse.com/2023/03/01/registration-is-open-for-the-2023-camden-classics-cup/ Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:28:00 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48467 Registration is now open for the 2023 Camden Classics Cup presented by Lyman-Morse. Coming off a successful year that saw 92 boats on the starting line, the event is poised to once again bring some of the world’s most stunning yachts to this renowned stretch of the Maine coast for a weekend of true Corinthian racing.   …

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Registration is now open for the 2023 Camden Classics Cup presented by Lyman-Morse. Coming off a successful year that saw 92 boats on the starting line, the event is poised to once again bring some of the world’s most stunning yachts to this renowned stretch of the Maine coast for a weekend of true Corinthian racing.  

We’re looking forward to another fantastic event—the caliber of racing and the pedigree of the boats on the starting line is unmatched on the New England racing circuit,” says Holly Paterson, Camden Classics Cup event director. “This regatta is a celebration of vintage and classic yachts and the community that surrounds them. I am continuously impressed by the passion of these sailors and the pride they take in their stewardship of these boats.” 

The event will adhere to the standard of excellence that participants have come to expect, and feature plenty of action on and off the water. “We’re looking forward to the return of the Youth Regatta, which saw 60 junior sailors from more than 8 clubs racing Optis and 420s last year, and of course, the always-popular Parade of Sail.” Paterson said. “Additionally, this year we’re excited to welcome Peter Gerard as our new Principal Race Officer (PRO). Peter is an invaluable addition to our on-the-water regatta team.” Gerard is a US Sailing certified National Judge and Regional Race Officer, an accomplished sailor, and active PRO.  

Once again, the event will feature boats sailing under several different ratings, including the Classic Rating Formula (CRF), the performance handicap rating fleet (PHRF), and the Day Racer Divisions (which will race under a variety of handicaps), with more to be announced as the scratch sheet grows. One important note, classes for the Classic yachts will also classify them for the COYA series.   

Last year’s event was timed with the opening of Lyman-Morse’s new 40,000 square-foot waterfront facility. The 2023 event will return to this stellar yard that lines the historic working Camden waterfront and includes the Salt Wharf Restaurant, Barron’s Distillery, retail space, as well as guest accommodations at Lyman-Morse Crew Quarters overlooking the harbor. In addition to providing great sailing across a variety of designs and decades, as well as the chance to visit Camden, Paterson noted that the regatta is also giving back to the local communities. “A portion of all entrance fees go to LifeFlight of Maine (lifeflightmaine.org), Maine’s only statewide critical-care medical service,” she said. 

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4 Essentials You’ll Need When Preparing For A Sailboat Race https://sailuniverse.com/2023/01/12/4-essentials-youll-need-when-preparing-for-a-sailboat-race/ Thu, 12 Jan 2023 13:51:53 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48386 If you’re considering entering a sailboat race, there are some essential things you’ll need to do to prepare. Sailboat races can be intense and challenging, but they’re also a lot of fun. With the proper preparation, you can make sure that you have a great time and come away with a strong finish. You’ll need …

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If you’re considering entering a sailboat race, there are some essential things you’ll need to do to prepare. Sailboat races can be intense and challenging, but they’re also a lot of fun. With the proper preparation, you can make sure that you have a great time and come away with a strong finish. You’ll need to do four things when preparing for a sailboat race.

Your sailing gear

Preparing for a day of sailing is essential, and having the right gear can make all the difference. Investing in a good life jacket is necessary for safety on the water, while sunscreen and hats are must-haves on sunny days to help avoid sunburns. In terms of sunscreen, opt for those that are safe for your skin and the oceans and lakes too. In this case, you can consider the products from PURU, the title sponsor of the Eco-focused PURU Transgascogne Sailing race. Their sunscreen products use the safest certified sunblock ingredient for your skin and the environment. Additionally, a pair of polarized sunglasses always come in handy when navigating the open seas. They help reduce the glare from reflections and enhance views below the surface, so you don’t miss any aquatic life or navigation markers. With these basics, you will be ready and equipped to enjoy your time on the water safely and comfortably.

All the supplies you’ll need on board.

When out on the open sea, it’s essential to be fully stocked – which is why any sailor should have an exhaustive list of supplies they’ll need while on board. This list should include food and water to rope and sail repair kits. Making sure all the proper supplies are accounted for before embarking on a voyage will ensure success. Staying well-equipped with appropriate protective gear, necessary rations, and supplies for repairs can mean the difference between a joyride and a journey from hell. So no matter where your dreams take you, just ensure you’ve got everything covered before setting sail.

A map of the race course

Knowing a race course’s layout is imperative when preparing to participate. A map will give you an overview of where the start and finish lines are located and what type of waters you may encounter along your route. Additionally, maps can help visualize shortcuts that may be available at specific parts of the course. This knowledge can help you plan a successful race strategy, thereby increasing your chances of success. Knowing where you’re going makes all the difference!

A weather forecast for the race days

Knowing the weather forecast for race days can help you dress accordingly and be prepared for all conditions. For instance, if the temps are chilly, layer up so you stay warm, or if it’s sunny, wear something breathable to keep calm and comfortable. Even on rainy days, you can still compete – just make sure you have a waterproof jacket and appropriate footwear. Knowing what kinds of weather to expect can help eliminate surprises and ensure that your performance isn’t impaired because of external factors. A detailed weather forecast is an essential part of planning for race day success.

With these four things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to preparing for a fantastic sailing race. Rest assured that with the proper preparation, you can have a terrific time and come away with a bang. Good luck and happy sailing!

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TP52 Maritimo 11 Launched by Maritimo’s Sail Racing division https://sailuniverse.com/2022/12/21/tp52-maritimo-11-launched-by-maritimos-sail-racing-division/ Wed, 21 Dec 2022 18:45:00 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48299 Representing the Gold Coast and Queensland in the iconic 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, sailing yacht Maritimo 11 departed Southport Yacht Club with a rousing send-off from Mayor Tom Tate, joined by 100 family, friends and supporters. The yacht race from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, Tasmansia is celebrating its 77th edition with a strong fleet of 115 yachts. The 628 …

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Representing the Gold Coast and Queensland in the iconic 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, sailing yacht Maritimo 11 departed Southport Yacht Club with a rousing send-off from Mayor Tom Tate, joined by 100 family, friends and supporters. The yacht race from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, Tasmansia is celebrating its 77th edition with a strong fleet of 115 yachts.

The 628 nautical mile course is often described as the most grueling ocean race in the world, attracting sailors from around the world and the cream of Australian entries. Maritimo 11 will compete in the 52-foot grand prix racing yachts class, against 12 other contenders, including two champion internationals.

The 15.85-metre yacht is a meticulously refurbished, Reichel Pugh-designed TP52 – a champion racing yacht brought to Australia from Mexico. The TP52 was originally designed for the Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu and is a lean, light-weight yacht with few creature comforts for crew. There are around 80 of these carbon fibre yachts racing in all parts of the world, and they are extremely competitive.

The TPs have dominated Australian ocean racing including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in recent years and seem to enjoy a sweet spot under the IRC Handicap Rule that determines the overall winner of the Race.

In 2015, Paul Clitheroe’s TP52 Balance was declared the overall winner of the 2015 edition, and Matt Allen TP52, Ichi Ban is a three-time winner of the prestigious Race, taking home the Tattersall Cup in 2021, 2019 and 2017.

Maritimo 11 tp52
Image courtesy Maritimo

Maritimo founder, Bill Barry-Cotter could see the untapped potential in the TP52 he located in Fiji which was then transported to Maritimo’s Coomera headquarters where the yacht underwent a thorough refit, including new sails and all navigation equipment to bring her up to the latest safety and racing standards.

Maritimo is unique as the only luxury motor yacht builder in the world with a dedicated sail racing division and world championship power race team all in-house. Celebrating the desire to win on all parts of the ocean is core to Maritimo’s DNA.

In 2021-22, Maritimo invested in a multi-million dollar expansion program to meet production demand from increased sales volumes. Integral to keeping pace with demand is the company’s focus on recruitment, training and development of the next generation of trades people. 

 “We are extremely proud to be a Gold Coast manufacturer, with more than 300+ employees and motor yachts that are prized around the world,” states Tom Barry-Cotter, Tom Barry-Cotter, Managing Director at Maritimo. “A testament to the skills and craftsmanship of our tradespeople, Maritimo 11 will be flying the flag for the Gold Coast in the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.”

Michael Spies, veteran of 44 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is at the helm and his crew of 14 includes Bill Barry-Cotter’s brother, Kendal, several champion sailors and Navigator Murray Spence.

Maritimo 11’s crew has an impress tally of 198 Rolex Sydney Hobart Races between the crew of 14.

Fourteen-year-old aspiring Olympic sailor, Addison Newlan who is supported by Maritimo in a yacht racing program was on Maritimo 11 on the sail down to Sydney. Ensuring we nurture the next generation of sailors and power boaters is another endeavor that Maritimo takes very seriously. 

Addison raced with the crew during Australia’s Hamilton Island Race week and was part of the Maritimo 11 delivery crew, but will have to wait a few more years before she can compete due to the event’s age requirement of 18. However, being part of the highly experience crew is an exceptional opportunity for the 14 year old school girl.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, VIP guests and supporters bid farewell Maritimo 11 and wish her crew a safe and successful race south.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, ranking among such popular national spectator events as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open tennis and the Boxing Day cricket test. The Race start at 1pm Boxing Day (December 26th) on Sydney Harbour and attracts thousands of pleasure craft and many thousands of spectators along the shore.

Following the Boxing Day start, you can track the progress of Maritimo 11 on the official race tracker

Maritimo 11 specs

Length: 15.85m
Beam:  4.34m
Designer: Reichel Pugh USA (designers of Wild Oats IX )
Builder: Green Marine UK
Hull Material: Carbon Fibre/Nomex
Draft: 3.4m
Total Sail Area: 410-sqm
Total Displacement: 7800kg
Hull Weight: 1500 kg
Top Speed: 30 knots
Average Daily Run: 320 nautical miles per day

Maritimo 11 Crew

Michael Spies Gold Coast – 44 Sydney Hobart Races 
Kendal Barry-Cotter Gold Coast – 11 Sydney Hobart Races 
Neil Sherring – Gold Coast – 3 Sydney Hobart Races 
Stewart Graham – Gold Coast – 3 Sydney Hobart Races 
Steve Jackson – Gold Coast – 3 Sydney Hobart Races – sailmaker for Maritimo
Matt Levings – Gold Coast –  0 Sydney Hobart Races (former 1500m Commonwealth Games swimmer).
Ben Lockyer – Brisbane – 0 Sydney Hobart Races
Peter Jones – Brisbane – 25 – Sydney Hobart Races
Rick Robert’s – Brisbane – 11 – Sydney Hobart Races
Peter Sheldrick – Sydney – 30 – Sydney Hobart Races
Peter Britt  – Foster NSW – 15 – Sydney Hobart Races
Scott Kaufman  New York expat Australian  – 16 – Sydney Hobart Races Former Olympian.
Murray Spence – Whitsundays – Navigator – 21 – Sydney Hobart Races
Mike Hughes – Perth – 16 Sydney Hobart Races (more than any other West Australian)

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Why 2023 ClubSwan Racing Season has Something for Everyone https://sailuniverse.com/2022/12/15/why-2023-clubswan-racing-season-has-something-for-everyone/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:32:35 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48210 Nautor Swan has unveiled a spectacular 2023 ClubSwan Racing season with an exhilarating globetrotting calendar that offers something for everyone across the entire Swan Rating and One Design range. “ClubSwan Racing emerged from a desire to bring the passion, excitement and camaraderie of racing to the whole Swan family,” said Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo, …

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Nautor Swan has unveiled a spectacular 2023 ClubSwan Racing season with an exhilarating globetrotting calendar that offers something for everyone across the entire Swan Rating and One Design range.

ClubSwan Racing emerged from a desire to bring the passion, excitement and camaraderie of racing to the whole Swan family,” said Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo, “and we believe we have succeeded in that mission.

Every year we have aimed to improve the experience for Swan owners and their crews, and I am sure 2023 will deliver more unforgettable memories, incredible adventures and many more shared stories.”

2023 ClubSwan Racing season: double circuit

Both the Rating and One Design fleets will have their own dedicated circuits. The season starts in February in the Caribbean with the Swan Maxi Series, which includes seven events contested by Maxi Swans around the globe.

The 2023 ClubSwan Racing season also includes four regional series which will be held in the Mediterranean, Baltic, The Solent and North America, while the icing on the ClubSwan Racing cake is The Nations League 2023 which will be contested by the four ClubSwan Racing One Design classes throughout the season.

2023 ClubSwan Racing Season

The One Design action begins with the ClubSwan 36 class returning to Split – after its debut there in 2022 at the season ending European Championship – for the Swan Croatia Challenge from April 25-29 hosted by ACI Sail which has already attracted 15 entries. The event marks the first of the seven regattas which make up The Nations League.

2023 ClubSwan Racing Season

The following month will see the whole ClubSwan Racing One Design family (over 40 expected entries) gather for the Swan Sardinia Challenge, with Marina di Villasimius of Marinedi Group again the venue following its own successful debut last year.

June sees the fourth edition of the highly competitive The Nations Trophy event in Porto Cervo, organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, followed by the S&S Swan Rendezvous on Elba Island, organised by the S&S Swan Association and hosted by Marciana Marina. July brings the highlight of the Rating Swan season, the Swan European Regatta in Turku, Finland.  

© ClubSwan Racing – Studio Borlenghi

In August, as per tradition, the Swan One Design fleet will race the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, 41st edition, organised by the Real Club Nautico de Palma. While in September, the ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 50 classes will contest their own European championships, with the former hosted by Marina di Puntaldia, Italy, and the Menorca ClubSwan 50 Europeans held at Club Maritimo Mahon, Spain, both first-time venues for ClubSwan Racing. 

The 2023 ClubSwan Racing season comes to a fitting conclusion in October with all four One Design classes gathering again for the Swan One Design Worlds in Marina di Scarlino, Italy, a finale which will also determine the destination of The Nations League title as well as the world titles in each fleet.

The Swan Med Regatta-Tuscany Challenge

During the Swan One Design Worlds, Marina di Scarlino and the Yacht Club Isole di Toscana will also play host to the inaugural Swan Med Regatta-Tuscany Challenge, a new event that aims to gather all Swan owners based in the Mediterranean for a spectacular end of season regatta against the stunning backdrop of the Tuscan archipelago.

Great venues with fantastic sailing conditions and excellent race management has always been the goal for our team,” said Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Activities at ClubSwan Racing.

“For 2023 we are pleased to be able to add Mahon and Puntaldia to the roster, and we look forward to returning to Split and Villasimius as well as our long-standing partners in Porto Cervo, Palma and Scarlino.

“Every season the level of competition – passionate but friendly – goes up another notch as the teams gain more experience, and 2023 is showing all the signs that it will be the best year yet!

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222.4 km/h: Wind-Powered World Land Speed Record Broken https://sailuniverse.com/2022/12/12/222-4-km-h-wind-powered-world-land-speed-record-broken/ Mon, 12 Dec 2022 08:45:44 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48144 Emirates Team New Zealand and Land speed pilot Glenn Ashby have sailed ‘Horonuku’, their wind-powered land speed world record craft, faster than any previous records. ‘Horonuku’ named by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei meaning ‘gliding swiftly across the land’ did exactly that and was clocked at 222.4km/h in 22 knots of windspeed on Lake Gairdner in South Australia. Pilot …

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Emirates Team New Zealand and Land speed pilot Glenn Ashby have sailed ‘Horonuku’, their wind-powered land speed world record craft, faster than any previous records.

‘Horonuku’ named by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei meaning ‘gliding swiftly across the land’ did exactly that and was clocked at 222.4km/h in 22 knots of windspeed on Lake Gairdner in South Australia.

Pilot Glenn Ashby was clearly happy with the run but also tempered with the knowledge that Horonuku can go much faster. “The team and I are obviously buzzing to have sailed Horonuku at speed faster than anyone has ever before – powered only by the wind. But in saying that we know Horonuku has a lot more speed in it when we get more wind and better conditions,” said Ashby.

So for sure there is a cause for a celebration, but this isn’t the end. From initial idea and the beginning of this world record attempt, which was pushed and supported by Grant Dalton, Matteo de Nora and the rest of the team at Emirates Team New Zealand, the objective has never been about just beating the record, it has always been about pushing things to the limit and going as fast as we possibly can. We know we can go faster, so we plan to.

Before the 222.4km/h speed is declared ‘official’ there is a stringent verification process that needs to be conducted in accordance with the international governing body FISLY (Federation Internationale de Sand et Land Yachting) for the new world record speed to become ratified.

There has been an independent FISLY-approved judge on the ground at Lake Gairdner to witness and verify the run, the GPS recording from Horonuku and all other mandatory requirements of a record attempt – and must submit all related data to FISLY within 48 hours

Horonuku is fitted with an approved GPS which records survey grade, differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data which provides 21 data points over the two-second record period. Each of those data points supplies a position estimate accurate to around 10mm. This will deliver an average speed over two seconds the result of which will be directly comparable to that of the standing record of 202.9km/h recorded by Richard Jenkins on March 29th 2009, a record which has stood for over 5000 days.

The Land speed project has been a new opportunity to push the boundaries in aerodynamics, structural forces, construction methods and materials fields.” said Emirates Team New Zealand Principal Matteo de Nora. “What is often underestimated is that the technologies we explore in challenges like this- or in an America’s Cup campaign – are ultimately the foundation of tomorrow’s technology. Being ahead of the times in technology is what fascinates about all the challenges faced by the team so far.” 

The high-speed runs by Ashby and the team comes after a frustrating few months of weather delays at the Lake due to unprecedented rainfall and surface water leading to delays in the program, and the weather forecast for this weekend was equally as challenging with significant wind direction changes and the dreaded threat of rain and thunderstorms.

As a team we have been hanging off every weather update from Clouds all week, so have been doing everything possible to be ready for the small windows that present themselves to us. What originally looked like a good 20-22 knot day all day Saturday ended up not delivering the winds we needed.” explained Ashby.

With rain in the surrounding area, and less wind in the foreseeable forecasts after Sunday we were running a fine line. So the fact we have managed to thread the needle and do a few record runs is especially satisfying. But one thing that we have always understood and has been abundantly clear, is that no matter how prepared you are, you cannot achieve a result like this without an amazing team around you and a little help from Mother Nature.”

Now the team has passed the previous record speed and is confident that with more wind Horonuku has the ability to go even faster, the team will take a break and await a perfect forecast to have another run. 

In the absence of any more breeze in the foreseeable future and Christmas just around the corner that is likely to come in 2023.

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Introducing the new The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup https://sailuniverse.com/2022/12/02/introducing-the-new-the-ocean-race-vo65-sprint-cup/ Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:16:10 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48039 Along with five confirmed IMOCA teams racing around the world, up to five VO65 teams will be on the starting line in Alicante, Spain in January, with an option to compete for a new trophy within The Ocean Race called The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup. The new trophy has been specially created for VO65 …

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Along with five confirmed IMOCA teams racing around the world, up to five VO65 teams will be on the starting line in Alicante, Spain in January, with an option to compete for a new trophy within The Ocean Race called The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup.

The new trophy has been specially created for VO65 teams and will be awarded to the team which accumulates the best score across three different legs of the race: Alicante, Spain to Cabo Verde; Aarhus, Denmark to The Hague, the Netherlands; and The Hague to Genova, Italy.

VO65 teams participating for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup will compete in the VO65 class in the In-port races scheduled in those cities as well as the three stages of offshore racing from point to point.  

This new trophy will enable a new generation of sailors, along with some familiar faces, to gain some valuable experience in The Ocean Race,” said Phil Lawrence, Race Director of The Ocean Race.

“This format provides an opportunity to compete in The Ocean Race environment, with racing from host city to host city along with In-port competitions. The participating VO65 teams will get significant offshore racing exposure.”

The first racing for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup is the In-port race in Alicante, Spain on 8 January 2023, followed by the first offshore stage in the event from Alicante to Cabo Verde starting on 15 January. 

We are very happy that we will compete in the In-port race (8 January) and then take the leg one start in Alicante on 15 January. We’re looking forward to racing three incredible Legs against some top-level competition. It promises to be an incredible battle,” said Jelmer van Beek, a 27-year old Dutch sailor from The Hague who has been named skipper and will lead the young Team JAJO. 

For me personally it is an amazing challenge to be the skipper of Team JAJO. I think I am one of the youngest skippers to take a start in the race. It’s a huge responsibility and above all a challenge. But one that I am ready for and really looking forward to, especially with this team.

The Dutch boat had a refit at Royal Huisman last summer and is almost race ready, with finishing touches being applied in Barcelona, before the team assembles for training on 6th December. 

It’s been such a big learning experience working on this boat to get it ready for racing,” said Mateusz Gwóźdź from the Polish team. He is once again expected to be the youngest sailor in the race, at just 17 years old, and having previously competed in The Ocean Race Europe. “I can’t wait to get the boat in the water and do more training before we head for Alicante.”

The Polish team has been preparing its new VO65 (previously AkzoNobel) from a base in Valencia, Spain and is planning to make a full team and crew announcement shortly.

Working its way back into The Ocean Race is Team Viva México, who are aiming for a Mexican comeback of sorts after the historic win of Sayula II in the first edition of the race in 1973. No Mexican-flagged team has participated in the race since then.

In 2019 we set ourselves a goal to bring Mexico back into what we consider the greatest race around the world,” said skipper Erik Brockmann, who led the team in The Ocean Race Europe. “Many things have changed in the past three years that we did not anticipate then, but being on the start line to race for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup is an exciting step towards bringing Mexico back into Race and a way of paying tribute to the historic win we achieved 50 years ago.

More information about the VO65 teams racing for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup will be made available shortly.

Meanwhile, the IMOCA fleet is set to lead the action in The Ocean Race with five teams – 11th Hour Racing Team, Team Malizia, GUYOT environnement-Team Europe, Biotherm Racing and Holcim PRB – featuring many of the top names in offshore sailing, racing around the world. The IMOCA fleet will assemble in Alicante, Spain from 2 January 2023 ahead of their In-port race on 8 January. Leg One of The Ocean Race begins on 15 January.

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Dates and Race Area confirmed for the 37th America’s Cup Match https://sailuniverse.com/2022/11/30/dates-and-race-area-confirmed-for-the-37th-americas-cup-match/ Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:16:16 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48031 The Racing Area for both the Challenger Selection Series and the America’s Cup Match itself has now been agreed with Barcelona’s Capitán Marítimo and are set to the south of the City along Barcelona’s beachfront, affording the perfect natural viewing gallery right along the coastline for spectators. A permanent exclusion zone for the duration of …

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The Racing Area for both the Challenger Selection Series and the America’s Cup Match itself has now been agreed with Barcelona’s Capitán Marítimo and are set to the south of the City along Barcelona’s beachfront, affording the perfect natural viewing gallery right along the coastline for spectators.

america's cup

A permanent exclusion zone for the duration of the racing has been agreed to ensure safety for both the competitors and the expected daily armada of spectator boats that will take the opportunity to see the AC75s and AC40s at close range. But for those onshore, racing could, depending on conditions, see action just a few hundred metres off the beach at times and with galleries and fan zones planned, Barcelona will be set to host the world at this, the 37th America’s Cup. 

Also confirmed is the date for the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final which occupies prime time viewing, to a global audience, straight after Race 5 on October 16th 2024, giving the women’s event significant coverage and profile. Racing the new and exciting AC40 class set up in strict one-design mode, the sailors that get to the final of the Women’s America’s Cup will undoubtedly be some of the finest foiling athletes on the planet and a clear pathway to the future of the America’s Cup will be on show.

America's cup

Racing in the America’s Cup Match itself, which will be a best of 13 (first to seven) format will commence on Saturday 12th October with two races scheduled, followed by a further two races on Sunday 13th October 2024. Racing will then pause for two days, however at the discretion of the Regatta Director and after consultation with both the Defender and the Challenger, and depending on conditions, both of these days could be used to complete two races a day. The schedule as it stands, without the use of the Monday or Tuesday, would recommence on Wednesday 16th October 2024 for one race (race 5) in the Match followed by the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final as mentioned above.

america's cup

Thursday 17th October is officially not scheduled for racing but again, subject to the Regatta Director’s discretion and agreement with the competitors, could be allocated for two further races depending on conditions whilst Friday 18th October 2024 is officially marked as a ‘Spare Day’ for up to two more races. Two races per day are also scheduled for Saturday 19th October and Sunday 20th October 2024, if required.

The objective of the Event Authority is to have racing concluded over the weekend of the 19th/20th October 2024, however the schedule does allow for racing to continue into the following week from the 21st October 2024 through to the 27th October 2024, on reserve days if required.

Speaking about the format announcement, Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events Limited commented: “We are excited to confirm the dates determining the Match racing period and our huge thanks go to the Capitán Marítimo and the Port of Barcelona authority who have been so pro-active and accommodative throughout the process. This is a significant event to plan for, with safety concerns at the top of the list for both spectators and competitors. I think the result is going to be something pretty spectacular with racing taking place in front of the beach, along the coast from the main port entrance right along the coast, past the Port Olímpic and out further east, offering a fantastic viewing opportunity for the public to see these remarkable boats at full pace.”

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Emirates Team New Zealand AC40: implementing the solution https://sailuniverse.com/2022/11/25/emirates-team-new-zealand-ac40-implementing-the-solution/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:37:26 +0000 https://sailuniverse.com/?p=48011 Just days ago, Emirates Team New Zealand buried the bow of their AC40 while testing in waves on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, which resulted in damage to the forward sections of the hull and deck structure. While the on-water team was recovering the yacht and returning to dock, the team’s engineers immediately began reviewing onboard data …

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Just days ago, Emirates Team New Zealand buried the bow of their AC40 while testing in waves on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, which resulted in damage to the forward sections of the hull and deck structure. While the on-water team was recovering the yacht and returning to dock, the team’s engineers immediately began reviewing onboard data to identify the root cause of the issue.

The first things we look at in this type of dynamic event are the accelerations and rotation rates that come from yacht’s inertial measurement unit (IMU),” explained Jamie Timms, Emirates Team New Zealand Structural Engineer. “These readings allow us to infer the magnitude of the hydrodynamic loads on the hull structure, which we can then input into our structural simulations to estimate the stress state and structural margins of safety. We also use the data to validate our fluid dynamics simulations of high velocity hull impacts.

During the 36th America’s Cup, we captured and catalogued the dynamics of every major event across the three yachts we sailed in that campaign and we enveloped those, with additional margin, to define the load cases for the AC40. Over the first 18 days of sailing the AC40, we’d seen a couple of events that generated large impacts. These had been lining up with our design load cases and the hull structure was performing as expected. However, this latest event saw accelerations that were far beyond all our previous records.

The figures below compare the longitudinal and lateral decelerations from the AC40 crash against the largest event seen by Te Rehutai, the team’s AC75 from the last America’s Cup Not only did we see longitudinal decelerations 70% higher than the previous worst-case, but this was coupled with a simultaneous lateral loading of similar magnitude – the yacht came to a complete stop and yawed 90 degrees in just over a second. We believe it was this combined load state that led to an initial failure of the foredeck sandwich panel. The damage we saw in the hull and partial detachment of the bow structure is likely a consequence of the compromised deck panel, rather than a root cause.

With this new data in hand, the team’s engineers have designed an internal structure upgrade package that will be rolled into all current and future AC40 yachts.

Throughout the development of this class, we’ve seen the yachts become increasingly dynamic as the performance of the yacht and the skills of the sailors grows. As with any high-performance craft, there is a constant balance between reducing mass and ensuring reliability and safety, and as our understanding of the class grows, we evolve our approach to maintain that balance. This additional structure will restore full structural margins for the uprated load cases and allow the sailors to push the performance limits of the class safely and with confidence.

The internal structure upgrade package will be built by McConaghy’s, who are building the fleet of AC40’s.

The good news is there will be no change to the delivery schedule to the remaining AC40s currently in build and the bow upgrade package will be shortly sent from the McConaghy yard for retro fitting to the three AC40s that have already been delivered.

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