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 Winners crowned after successful 2019 Lincoln Week Winners crowned after successful 2019 Lincoln Week Ichi Ban comes away with a resounding Division 1 IRC win Ichi Ban, skippered by Matt Allen, has come away with a resounding Division 1 IRC win at this year's Teakle Classic Lincoln Week Regatta, dropping just one less than perfect result to end up carrying a picket fence. by Harry Fisher Posted 22 Feb 10:56 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 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 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 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 RORC Caribbean 60 day 2 RORC Caribbean 60 day 2 Multi70 Maserati and MOD70 Argo have been ripping up the race track Maserati, skippered by Giovanni Soldini led at Guadeloupe by 12 miles, but in terms of time, that is less than 30 minutes ahead of Jason Carroll's Argo. The two rocket ships are expected to finish the race around sundown today. by Louay Habib Posted 19 Feb 16:30 GMT MS Amlin Yacht sponsor 70th year of EAORA MS Amlin Yacht sponsor 70th year of EAORA Continuing to offer regular racing across the Thames Estuary MS Amlin Yacht, one of the UK's leading boat insurance specialists have confirmed sponsorship of the 70th year of East Anglian Offshore Racing Association who offer regular racing across the Thames Estuary. by Paul Wood Posted 19 Feb 15:40 GMT 40th anniversary Sigma 33 Championship 40th anniversary Sigma 33 Championship To be held at Dartmouth in June The relentlessly popular one design Sigma 33 is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer at class championships, taking place in Dartmouth on June 14-16. by Andrew Laming Posted 19 Feb 15:14 GMT Champions recognised at RYA Sailability Awards Champions recognised at RYA Sailability Awards Sailability National Conference the most popular to date The 2019 RYA Sailability Annual Awards were presented last weekend at the Sailability National Conference and Awards dinner at Wyboston Lakes. by Becky Gilbert-Wood Posted 19 Feb 14:18 GMT LTSC Perisher Series day 7 LTSC Perisher Series day 7 Spring-like sailing for the penultimate race The penultimate race of the Lymington Town Sailing Club's Perisher Series was sailed in spring-like conditions. by Simon Ward Posted 19 Feb 12:58 GMT Event No.12 joining Match Race Super League 2019 Event No.12 joining Match Race Super League 2019 12 events worldwide in 10 countries on four continents The Match Race Super League is proud to announce that the AIRCALIN Match Race in Noumea (NCL) will be the sixth event of the 2019 season, making it to 12 events worldwide in 10 countries on four continents. by Match Race Super League Posted 19 Feb 12:22 GMT Harken Product Focus: McLube Harken Product Focus: McLube This month, we're focusing on hardware care With such a huge range of hardware out there, the Harken Tech Team would like to help untangle the different options available. Every month we will be producing a product focus article, giving advice on how to pick the right product for the job. by Alice Markham Posted 19 Feb 12:00 GMT Registration opens for 2019 Rolex Big Boat Series Registration opens for 2019 Rolex Big Boat Series A well-earned reputation for breeze-on sailing and long courses Winter might still be exerting its chilly influence over most of the country, but an undeniable harbinger of the coming sailing season arrived on February 18 when St. Francis Yacht Club, in San Francisco, California, posted the Notice of Race. by St. Francis Yacht Club Posted 19 Feb 11:41 GMT Dart 18 Worlds day 3 Dart 18 Worlds day 3 Three days of excellent sailing so far "I'm in Paradise" said Nicola. This is no surprise as the sun shone all day with winds building to 17 knots of wind and she and her skipper Herve Le Maux had just had their best performance of the competition. by Mark Hamill-Stewart Posted 19 Feb 11:07 GMT NeilPryde Sailing Team Riders announced for 2019 NeilPryde Sailing Team Riders announced for 2019 Supporting some of the UK's most promising young sailors The iconic brand for dinghy and keelboat sailors is supporting some of the UK's most promising young sailors with a range of kit to protect them while they keep active on the water. by Marina Johnson Posted 19 Feb 10:15 GMT FD Worlds at Nelson YC, New Zealand after day 3 FD Worlds at Nelson YC, New Zealand after day 3 Szabolcs Majthenyi and András Domokos lead The first three days of the Flying Dutchman World Championships have been completed. The results are close at the top of the leader board with Hun 70 (Szabolcs Majthenyi and András Domokos) leading on 7 points with GER 88 (Kay-Uwe Lüdtke and Kai Schäfers) by Alisdair Daines Posted 19 Feb 07:14 GMT Everything is OK at Symonite OK Dinghy Worlds Everything is OK at Symonite OK Dinghy Worlds An outstanding success both on and off the water The 2019 Symonite OK Dinghy World Championship, which has just concluded at Wakatere Boating Club in Auckland, New Zealand, was an outstanding success both on and off the water. by Robert Deaves Posted 19 Feb 06:44 GMT