RC44 Cascais Cup day 1 RC44 Cascais Cup day 1Aqua and Nika edge aheadDespite being mid-November, Portugal laid on warm temperatures and light winds for the opening day of the RC44 Cascais Cup, the final regatta of 2018 for the high performance one design monohulls.by Jessica Gray Posted 15 Nov 22:17 GMT Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 12 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 12Alex Thomson is expected off Tête à l'Anglais islandIt is shortly after midnight in Europe that Alex Thomson is expected off Tête à l'Anglais island to the north of Basse-Terre. He will then have the tricky task of sailing around Guadeloupe.by Route du Rhum Posted 15 Nov 20:15 GMT Roger Battersby remembered at Sutton Bingham Roger Battersby remembered at Sutton BinghamOpen meeting raising funds for RNLIOn Sunday 4 November Sutton Bingham Sailing Club held a special open event in memory of Roger Battersby who sadly passed away last summer, together with their annual fundraiser for the RNLI.by Chris Jones Posted 15 Nov 19:54 GMT Maria Stanley wins RS200 triple crown Maria Stanley wins RS200 triple crownRS200 National Tour 2019 dates released in celebrationYet another massive RS200 season has been brought to a close at the RS End of Seasons Regatta. With the 2018 National Tour won by Maria Stanley and Rob Henderson, taking the double with their Nationals win, and Maria completing the treble crown.by Sally Campbell Posted 15 Nov 18:12 GMT Spinlock Sail-Sense wins DAME Award at METS Spinlock Sail-Sense wins DAME Award at METSVoted best design in the marine electronics categorySpinlock is pleased to announce that its new app-driven sail monitoring and management tool 'Sail-Sense' has won a DAME Award for marine electronics at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam.by Spinlock Posted 15 Nov 17:00 GMT Penzance Pirate pursuit race Penzance Pirate pursuit raceSailing Southwest Winter Series round 2The second round of the SSW Winter Series dawned with better than expected weather with southerly 10kn breeze and 10 degrees C in the UK tropics of Penzance.by Jonathan Miles Posted 15 Nov 14:41 GMT Wayfarer Finale at Bough Beech Wayfarer Finale at Bough BeechWinner-takes-all shootout to decide the Craftinsure National Circuit SeriesThe Wayfarer Finale sailed at Bough Beech SC over the weekend of 10/11 November 2018 proved to be a fitting end to the UKWA's racing programme for the year. Eighteen teams congregated in the dinghy park on Saturday morning just in time for rain to ease.by Tim Townsend Posted 15 Nov 13:16 GMT All set at the 11th St. Barth Cata Cup All set at the 11th St. Barth Cata Cup51 crews representing the 11 nations are ready to set sailA challenge that promises to be especially vigorous, with winds coming from the east at 20 to 25 knots—at least for the first two days of the competition.by St. Barth Cata Cup Press Posted 15 Nov 12:20 GMT Clipper Ventures leads new era of sailing in China Clipper Ventures leads new era of sailing in ChinaChinese sailing industry is evolving in an exciting wayClipper Ventures, the British organiser of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, co-founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and William Ward OBE, today announced the biggest expansion in its 23-year history, with the opening of a new Chinese-based division.by Kathryn Pridie Posted 15 Nov 12:00 GMT Enterprise Winter Championship at Northampton Enterprise Winter Championship at NorthamptonFleet is proud to outlast the Lark and N12 sailors in the barA great season finish for this year's Enterprise National Circuit sponsored by Sailing Chandlery comprising nine venues around the Regions, ranging from St Mary's Loch in Scotland to Looe and Penzance in Cornwall.by Steve Sargent, Callum Dingle & Nick Jackson Posted 15 Nov 10:50 GMT RC Laser Northern District TT at Burwain RC Laser Northern District TT at BurwainWipeouts and swan dives trigger rig changesJohn Sharman set the course for the prevailing southerly and very light winds but the decision was made to delay the start until after the expected rain and wind shift. Three apologies where received from some expected and regular competitors.by John Sharman Posted 15 Nov 10:09 GMT Zhik launch new offshore ZK Seaboot 900 Zhik launch new offshore ZK Seaboot 900As a result of Volvo Ocean Race successThe new ZK Seaboot 900 is a product created as direct result of Zhik's partnership with team AkzoNobel and the Dongfeng Race Team, overall winners of the recent Volvo Ocean Race.by Liz Rushall Posted 15 Nov 09:00 GMT Plymouth to host 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race finish Plymouth to host 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race finishCity has marked the end of the biennial yacht race finish since its inception in 1925Plymouth City Council and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) have confirmed that Plymouth will host the finish of the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race.by Trish Jenkins Posted 15 Nov 08:15 GMT British Olympic champion at SSL Finals 2018 British Olympic champion at SSL Finals 2018British Olympic champion at SSL Finals 2018Making his debut at last in the Star Sailors League Finals in Nassau, is one of the most famous names from the final era of the Olympic keelboat. Following his Finn gold in Sydney in 2000, Britain's Iain Percy was Olympic champion in the Star at Beijingby Star Sailors League Posted 15 Nov 06:10 GMT Three boats going into RC44 Cascais finale Three boats going into RC44 Cascais finaleThree boats going into RC44 Cascais finaleTraditionally the RC44 Championship goes to the wire in the final event of the season. Last year's championship concluded in Lanzarote with three boats tied on points, the podium for the season decided on discardsby RC44 Class Association Posted 15 Nov 00:50 GMT Gul National 12 Series finale and Inlands Gul National 12 Series finale and InlandsTight racing on a square course and plenty of capsizes19 National 12s travelled to Northampton SC for the final event in the National 12 GUL Series 2018 and the Inland Championships. On the Saturday the weather lived up to the forecast, with gusts of up to 30 knots but bright sunshine.by Zoe Ballantyne Posted 14 Nov 21:41 GMT GBR Musto Skiff Circuit Roundup and Look Ahead GBR Musto Skiff Circuit Roundup and Look AheadParticipation is on the upAs many of us hang up our sailing boots for the winter it is a good opportunity to reflect back on what has been a great season. The Musto Skiff fleet in the UK has been enjoying growing numbers year on year for the last eight seasons.by Ben Schooling Posted 14 Nov 20:37 GMT Innovation key to marine industry growth Innovation key to marine industry growthKeynote from CEO of Groupe Beneteau at METSTRADEMETSTRADE 2018 opened with an inspiring keynote presentation from Hervé Gastinel, Group CEO of the international boatbuilder, Groupe Beneteau. He took the opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of innovation in product development.by Sigrid van der Wel, METSTRADE Posted 14 Nov 20:21 GMT Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 11 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 11With IMOCA analysis by Alain GautierPaul Meilhat, Vincent Riou and Yann Eliès are fighting it out to make it to the podium, while aiming to be ready to pounce should the British leader show the slightest weakness.by IMOCA Globe Series Posted 14 Nov 19:59 GMT Sea change for RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta Sea change for RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta11th edition to be held at Weymouth in July 2019Now in its 11th year, the RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta 2019 will be held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) from 05-07 July 2019. by Becky Gilbert-Wood Posted 14 Nov 18:08 GMT Christmas with a difference Christmas with a differenceSet your sights on a more adventurous December in the CaribbeanSet your sights on a more adventurous December in the Caribbean. Hire a friendly skipper to be your guide in the BVI, or revel in Antigua's steel drum parties. Start planning with our guide to the most common Caribbean myths.by Sunsail Posted 14 Nov 17:00 GMT Dragonforce65 Commodores Cup at Ripon Dragonforce65 Commodores Cup at RiponIn what can only be described as variable conditionsTraditionally run during the clubs "Commodore's Weekend" the DF65 RC Yacht Commodore's Cup was this year held on Wednesday 14th November, nine yachts gathered on the start line in what can only be described as variable conditions.by Ian Smith Posted 14 Nov 16:42 GMT Robin Clegg on microplastics and the VOR Robin Clegg on microplastics and the VORAn interview with Robin Clegg about microplastics and the Volvo Ocean Race's Sustainability ProgramI checked in with Robin Clegg, who handles sustainability communications for the Volvo Ocean Race, via email, to find out more about microplastics, the VOR's Sustainability Program, and the results that this forward-leaning program delivered.by David Schmidt Posted 14 Nov 16:00 GMT RS200 Winter Series at Royal Harwich week 1 RS200 Winter Series at Royal Harwich week 1Flukey winds tested even some of the most experiencedThe inaugural day of RHYC's RS200 series delivered some challenging conditions for the 8 stalwart crews. With a big tide and a strong SW, racing was shore to shore. Flukey winds on the windward beach tested even some of the most experienced sailors.by Mike Deaton Posted 14 Nov 15:46 GMT Exposure Lights announce new distributor Exposure Lights announce new distributorCrewsaver partner to cover UK and IrelandExposure Lights announced during METS that Crewsaver will be distributing their range of highly powerful, marine search lights and safety aids in the UK and Ireland. The agreement will cover retail sales in the yachting, dinghy, dive and paddle markets.by Liz Rushall Posted 14 Nov 14:42 GMT Legacy of an Olympic Legend Legacy of an Olympic LegendThe greatest sailing story in Olympics history?After Tokyo 2020, the Finn will have provided 68 years of Olympic competition. Originally designed in 1949, its contribution and influence over seven decades is both astonishing and significant.by Robert Deaves Posted 14 Nov 13:50 GMT DAME Awards special mention for Scanstrut DAME Awards special mention for ScanstrutWe speak to Grant Fox about Scanstrut's new productsAt the METS 2018 marine trade fair we spoke to Grant Fox, Marketing Manager at Scanstrut, who were nominated at this year's show for a DAME award, and received a special mention in the design category for their wireless charging products. by Mark Jardine Posted 14 Nov 12:00 GMT MAA Press Dinner cruises to success MAA Press Dinner cruises to success35 journalists and key business leaders attend, with Tom CunliffeThe second annual MAA METSTRADE press dinner took place onboard Wapen van Amsterdam. The lively, by invitation only, event was attended by 35 European and American journalists and key business leaders from the marine trade world.by Zella Compton Posted 14 Nov 10:53 GMT Sailing Chandlery Solo Midland Series concludes Sailing Chandlery Solo Midland Series concludesIan Ingram wins overall series at Staunton HaroldThe series finished on a high with a good number of visitors travelling to Staunton Harold for the final event; 16 people needed one more event to qualify which seemed to have motivated the travellers. In the end, we had 12 qualifiers for the series.by Nigel Davies Posted 14 Nov 10:43 GMT Arkema capsizes on the Route du Rhum Arkema capsizes on the Route du RhumLalou Roucayrol is safe and well inside his boatFrench skipper Lalou Roucayrol has capsized on his Multi50 Arkema at around 0630hrs UTC/0730 CET this morning while racing in fourth place in the Route du Rhum-Destination Gaudeloupe approximately 1000 miles east of Guadeloupe.by Route du Rhum Posted 14 Nov 08:57 GMT Let's get sailing and windsurfing reinstated Let's get sailing and windsurfing reinstatedOnto the published PE activity list for schoolsThe Department for Education (DfE) has released its public consultation and is now inviting proposals to add activities to the published GCSE, AS and A level physical education (PE) activity list.by Loretta Spridgeon Posted 14 Nov 08:03 GMT Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 10 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe day 10Alex Thomson continues to extend his lead in the trade windsNow less than 1000 miles from the finish in Pointe-à-Pitre, the British skipper seems well placed, even if Paul Meilhat, Vincent Riou and Yann Eliès will remain a threat until the end, while Boris Herrmann is also lying in wait.by Route du Rhum Posted 13 Nov 22:00 GMT British innovation wins top prize at DAME Awards British innovation wins top prize at DAME AwardsOver 40% of the accolades presented go to UK companiesWinners of the prestigious DAME Design Award 2018 were announced today with British designed and manufactured products receiving over 40% of the accolades presented, including Overall Winner. Creativity from UK companies beat off stiff competition.by Annabel Wildey Posted 13 Nov 21:07 GMT Leigh & Lowton Revett Series day 1 Leigh & Lowton Revett Series day 1Sunshine and shifts for 50 competitorsThe first Sunday of the Revett winter series at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club brought a light drizzle for the early risers, but sunshine for the rest of the day. The 50 competitors were rewarded with some excellent, if shifty, racing in a 5-12 knot breeze.by Richard Catchpole Posted 13 Nov 20:19 GMT New Zhik ECO Wetsuits achieve Special Mention New Zhik ECO Wetsuits achieve Special MentionDame Awards recognise Zhik's innovations for third year in a rowThe new Zhik ECO Wetsuit received a Special Mention today at the METS DAME awards, recognising Zhik's innovations in technical sailing apparel for the third year in a row. by Liz Rushall Posted 13 Nov 19:07 GMT Golden Globe Race day 135 Golden Globe Race day 135Mark Slats has closed the gap on the leader by 500 miles this weekJean-Luc Van Den Heede may have to earn his passage around Cape Horn. The embattled French leader nursing a damaged mast after the yacht was pitchpoled in a storm a week ago, has the prospect of having another Southern Ocean buster.by Barry Pickthall, Golden Globe Race Posted 13 Nov 18:56 GMT Royal Lymington Champion of Champions Event Royal Lymington Champion of Champions EventSailors aged from 13 to 60 battle in apocalyptic weatherThe annual contest to find the champion of the RLymYC's individual class champions was held on Saturday 10th November, in apocalyptic weather, right in front of the clubhouse. The spectators watched the dramatic scene from the club bar.by Luke Mcewen Posted 13 Nov 18:06 GMT Russian J/70 Sailing League Finale Russian J/70 Sailing League FinaleRussian Sailing Federation organise matched fleet of J/70sThe summer-long Russian Sailing League series held their finale in Sevastopol last weekend. Sponsored by major corporations like OCK Consulting, GAZPROM, and NORDSTREAM Gas, the league is organized and supported by the Russian Sailing Federation.by J/Boats Posted 13 Nov 17:15 GMT Still flying after 71 years! Still flying after 71 years!Talking to Ovington Boats about Flying Fifteen versionsThe Flying Fifteen is described as 'the original sportsboat' although unlike today's modern sportsboats, it does not feature hydro foils, bowsprits, asymmetric kites or carbon rigs.by Jonny Fullerton Posted 13 Nov 16:31 GMT Interview with Steve Cockerill and Kate Sargent Interview with Steve Cockerill and Kate SargentRooster Sailing win DAME award for the Rooster ExofleeceWe talked to Steve Cockerill and Kate Sargent at the METS marine trade fair in Amsterdam, where Rooster Sailing have just won a DAME award in the clothing category for the Rooster Exofleece.by Mark Jardine Posted 13 Nov 15:00 GMT Lymington Town SC Solent Circuit day 6 Lymington Town SC Solent Circuit day 6Strong winds means racing abandonedCompetitors for day 6 of the LTSC Pennyfarthing Solent Circuit were greeted with a steady 26kt wind with gusts of 37kt – 41kts. A decision was made to postpone the start for 1 hour in the hope that the wind would moderate.by Alastair Beeton Posted 13 Nov 13:38 GMT Crewsaver launches ErgoFit+ at METSTRADE Crewsaver launches ErgoFit+ at METSTRADECrewsaver takes man overboard protection to the next levelCrewsaver continues to prove its commitment to your safety and survival with the launch of its new ErgoFit+ lifejacket. The ErgoFit+ lifejacket will arrive in March 2019 and is the result of over 60 years of pioneering lifejacket development.by Zella Compton Posted 13 Nov 12:14 GMT Pwllheli Challenge Series week 5 Pwllheli Challenge Series week 5They tried so hard their boom snappedThe Winter Series, four weekends of round the cans racing, got under way at Pwllheli Sailing Club on Saturday. Points from the winter series also contribute to the overall Pwllheli Challenge series so there were still plenty of boats on the water.by Dave Sharp Posted 13 Nov 11:30 GMT Crouch Yacht Club Autumn Series race 6 Crouch Yacht Club Autumn Series race 6Peter Cashel Memorial Trophy hosted by Burnahm SCThe Crouch Yacht Club Autumn Series fleet picked up moorings off the Burnham War Memorial to observe the silence this morning at 11am. Racing started at 11.30 and it was a breezy day with intermittent showers. by Sally Harbott Posted 13 Nov 10:18 GMT Wessex Resins producing bio-based ENTROPY RESINS Wessex Resins producing bio-based ENTROPY RESINSFor the European, Middle Eastern, African, Turkish, and Indian marketsWessex Resins is delighted to announce it is now manufacturing ENTROPY RESINS, under license from Gougeon Brothers, Inc., for the European, Middle Eastern, African, Turkish, and Indian markets.by Zella Compton Posted 13 Nov 09:00 GMT Phil Robertson to skipper China SailGP Phil Robertson to skipper China SailGPSailGP today unveiled the fifth team in its new global racing league – the China SailGP TeamSailGP today unveiled the fifth team in its new global racing league – the China SailGP Team – with a bold ambition to drive the growth of high-performance sailing in China. The China SailGP Team takes to the water in February 2019by SailGP Posted 13 Nov 07:55 GMT 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 19:23 GMT 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 18:51 GMT