Completely Polarised
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Nothing splits the field quite like a discussion about the America's Cup Nothing splits the field quite like a discussion about the America's Cup. Good thing that is exactly what we are going to get straight into.
Posted on 20 Oct Eastern Promise
by Mark Jardine
A recent trip to China to attend the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta proved to be enlightening Travelling around the world to see how sailing is practised is enlightening, and a recent trip to China to attend the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta turned out to be one of the most interesting events I've ever seen.
Posted on 14 Oct Oldest videos of women's sailing
by Magnus Smith
In contrast to the newest event, the Puig Women's America's Cup With the inaugural Puig Women's America's Cup just finishing, it seemed that our weekly delve in to the video archives should focus on female sailors. With our goal always being to find the oldest footage, this immediately raised some concerns.
Posted on 13 Oct The King is in the all-together
by Dougal Henshall
Dougal Henshall is glad he did not travel to the Mediterranean A counter view of the never-ending summer of sport or, as the French once said, "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la voile!"
Posted on 11 Oct Interview with Saskia Clark
by Mark Jardine
Sailing on the Athena Pathway AC40, reunited with 470 helm Hannah Mills I met up with Saskia Clark, Olympic gold medallist, pro sailor, and now racing in the PUIG Women's America's Cup together with her 470 helm Hannah Mills.
Posted on 8 Oct 50% is no mere pass mark
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
We're talking about half the planet here Some parts already in place, and others that needed much more time on low heat, in order for them to distil down. Make the grand sauce, and all that...
Posted on 7 Oct Interview with Hannah Mills
by Mark Jardine
On the Athena Pathway, the Women's America's Cup and what an AC40 is really like I spoke with Hannah Mills in Barcelona ahead of the 37th America's Cup to find out more about the Athena Pathway, the PUIG Women's America's Cup, how she put the team together, and what sailing an AC40 is really like.
Posted on 6 Oct Tension, Temperament and Trust
by Mark Jardine
What makes a modern America's Cup sailor tick? Sailing an AC75 is not something every sailor can do. The myriad of controls, the split roles and the incredible speeds all make it a tricky proposition, but when you're sailing against an evenly-matched opponent, the difficulty goes to a whole new level.
Posted on 1 Oct Should you install load sensors on a new yacht?
by Mark Jardine
I spoke to Cyclops Marine's Ben Hazeldine to find out Understanding the rig on your yacht and how it is set up is critical, all the way from when it is brand new. I spoke to Cyclops Marine's Ben Hazeldine to find out more about how their load cells can help with this.
Posted on 1 Oct Why Luna Rossa weren't penalised in R4 pre-start
by Mark Jardine
An AC75 may have 'gybed' far earlier than we think! Race 4 between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS Britannia in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final was full of drama, but one moment had had sailors asking questions on social media groups more than any other, and clearly riled Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher.
Posted on 29 Sep Look familiar?
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
OK. So the delivery system is different, to say nothing of the overall mission parameters OK. So the delivery system is different, to say nothing of the overall mission parameters, but the AC75 and the Soviet, Cold War era Lun-class Ekranoplan do both use ground effect. Both are designed to be combatants. Both get the job done smartly.
Posted on 25 Sep Should the British start dreaming?
by Mark Jardine
Can INEOS Britannia actually win the America's Cup? I remember back in 1996 England hosted the football European Championship and, ahead of this, comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner with the band the Lightning Seeds released the song 'Three Lions', with the refrain, "It's coming home."
Posted on 17 Sep How hard can it be?
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
PredictWind really has a coming-of-age event at this 37th America's Cup Regatta PredictWind really has a coming-of-age event at this 37th America's Cup Regatta. Their Founder, Jon Bilger, explains “PredictWind was born out of the America's Cup, and the three challenges over 10 years that I did with Alinghi."
Posted on 8 Sep America's Cup yacht tracking, data & graphics
by A+T Instruments
The story of how it all began in 1987! We have all got used to the ever improving and impressive graphics, tracking and analysis used for America's Cup TV coverage and that of SailGP. But when, where and how did this all start?
Posted on 6 Sep Glorious Race Weeks
by Mark Jardine
Bumper participation is an indicator for the health of sailing It would be so easy to write about the Olympics and America's Cup this week in my newsletter but, in all honesty, we're writing and talking enough about those on Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com already. Instead let's focus on Race Weeks.
Posted on 3 Sep Xc 47: eXtraordinary attention to detail
by Mark Jardine
Transforming bluewater cruising from ordinary to sublime A bluewater cruising yacht is lived on and lived in, and in today's world there are a plethora of systems required to provide the creature comforts which make living at sea transform from ordinary to sublime.
Posted on 29 Aug Stevie Morrison, gold medal winning coach
by Andi Robertson
The double 49er Olympian coached Ellie Aldridge to Britain's only sailing gold medal at Paris 2024 Double 49er Olympian and past world champion Stevie Morrison coached Ellie Aldridge to Britain's only sailing gold medal at Paris 2024.
Posted on 28 Aug Architect of the grand design
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
You're talking about one hell of a journey, thus far, and there are a few things that could help I have had several conversations with one, Mick Miller, in the last few weeks. Typically, they've lasted around 40 to 60 minutes. An interesting guy, for sure. Now did I just hear a collective 'Whoop-de-do'? It's OK. I got it.
Posted on 25 Aug Oldest footage of 12 Metre yachts part 2
by Magnus Smith
A look back into our video archive, with an America's Cup focus Some America's Cup fans still wish the event was contested in 12 Metres, but we are in the foiling age now. However, whatever class you think should be used to contest the Cup, it can still be wonderful to look back at the beauties of the past.
Posted on 25 Aug Interview with Cadet Worlds event coordinator
by Magnus Smith
It sounds stressful - why do it? It sounds stressful - why do all the organisation for a World Championship you cannot even compete in? Alan Krailing explains why the Cadet class gives people a huge appetite to come back.
Posted on 21 Aug Chris Gowers looks back at Paris 2024
by Andi Robertson
The long-serving British Sailing Team coach talks to Andi Robertson Long-serving British Sailing Team coach Chris Gowers was in Marseille as 'Rules Adviser' - in essence a role which not only looked after all of the administration and application of all the rules, but also, as he describes, as the 'backstop' for the team.
Posted on 21 Aug America's Cup: Can you pick a winner?
by Mark Jardine
Thursday sees the start of racing in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta We've hardly drawn breath after the Olympics, and already the America's Cup is upon us. Thursday sees the start of racing in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, where each of the teams will get to face off against one another.
Posted on 20 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Rob Wilson
by Mark Jardine
How a coach works with the team to sail an AC75 tactically, and control a 50 knot yacht As a sailing coach, Rob Wilson works with the team on the water to help hone their skills in the AC75. How the team sail tactically, and how they control these insanely fast yachts, will be key to winning the America's Cup.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Ben Cornish
by Mark Jardine
Including why it's critical to have sailors amongst the power generation team The Exe Estuary in Devon has been a hotbed of sailing talent for many years. Ben Cornish grew up seeing the exploits of fellow Exmouth sailors Joe Glanfield, Stevie Morrison, Ben Rhodes and Conrad Humphries, and wanted to become an Olympian himself.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: David 'Freddie' Carr
by Mark Jardine
There are certain people you want on your team no matter what There are certain people you want on your team no matter what. Freddie is one of those people. He has transitioned from grinder to cyclor for his sixth America's Cup campaign, but does so much more for the team behind the scenes.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Bleddyn Mon
by Mark Jardine
We find out more about his route into the America's Cup world and his role within the team The vast experience that Bleddyn Mon has in sailing seems impossible considering he is just 31 years old. Here we find out more about his route into the America's Cup world and his role within the team.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Ben Ainslie
by Mark Jardine
The Skipper and CEO who is aiming to 'Bring the Cup home' Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful Olympic sailor ever, as well as winning countless championships, and an America's Cup with ORACLE Team USA. But his obsession for over a decade has been bringing the Cup home to Great Britain.
Posted on 19 Aug The oldest footage of J Class racing
by Magnus Smith
A look back into our video archive, ahead of the America's Cup The America's Cup starts next week so it is a good moment to dig through our huge video archive to see the oldest footage from the beautiful class used for this competition between 1930 and 1937.
Posted on 18 Aug eXquisite detail - it's about what you don't see
by Mark Jardine
True quality comes from within True quality comes from within. Beneath the beautiful veneers, the flowing lines, the glossy gelcoat and the gleaming brightwork is the precision engineering and craftsmanship which separates the outstanding from the regular.
Posted on 15 Aug A man called Dingo
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Australia has just sent its largest ever team to the Olympics. Now it is time to look at the AC Australia has just sent its largest ever team to the Olympics. They have competed in more events than we have before. We have also had our best ever medal haul (In terms of Gold and overall count for an away Games). Nice. Very nice. Well done all.
Posted on 12 Aug Interview with Morgan Reeser
by Andi Robertson
The coach to the winning Austrian 470 team, speak out after the Paris 2024 Olympics As coach to Austria's newly crowned 470 gold medallists Lara Vadlau and Lukas Maehr, American Morgan Reeser has extended his enviable record as a medal winning coach in the class.
Posted on 9 Aug Brits philosophical after OCS disappointment
by Mark Jardine & Andi Robertson
John Gimson and Anna Burnet, while disappointed, refuse to be downcast Going into the Mixed Multihull Medal Race in bronze medal position, albeit tied with the Kiwis on points, was a strong position for Great Britain's John Gimson and Anna Burnet, but being over the startline and not returning dashed any chances of a medal.
Posted on 8 Aug Battle Royale in Marseille
by Mark Jardine
Men's Dinghy Medal Race drama at Paris 2024 Olympics In scenes reminiscent of the battle between Ben Ainslie and Robert Scheidt in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia's Matt Wearn and Cypriot Pavlos Kontides slugged it out in the Men's Dinghy Medal Race today.
Posted on 7 Aug Five Ring Circus
by Mark Jardine
I've got mixed feelings about the Paris 2024 Olympics I've got mixed feelings about the Paris 2024 Olympics. The sailing event so far has definitely had its ups and downs, highs and lows, stand-out performances, shocks, disappointments and controversies.
Posted on 6 Aug The oldest footage of Cowes Week
by Magnus Smith
A look back into the depths of our video archive Cowes Week 2024 has just concluded. But how has it changed since the early years? England has certainly changed, and so have the yachts. Let's look back at the 1920s to 70s at the oldest video footage we can find in the archive.
Posted on 4 Aug Three-Sided Dice?
by Mark Jardine
Love it hate it, the new format for the Windsurfing certainly provides drama, but is it fair? Love it hate it, the new format for the Windsurfing certainly provides drama, and the final race has truly become a Medal Race... but is it fair?
Posted on 3 Aug Cadet class anecdotes from the fifties
by Magnus Smith
"My brother Rodney was called 'the human jamming cleat' when he crewed for me." These are the sort of amusing reminiscences you hear amongst the shoreside spectators who are enjoying watching the huge fleet of Cadets in Plymouth. It was a great pleasure to chat to Barry Steel, National Champion from 1957.
Posted on 1 Aug It's a myth you have to leave Cadet class at 17
by Magnus Smith
National Championship awash with youths stepping straight from Cadet to coaching RIB So many of the Cadet class coaches helping out the under 17s, are aged 18 to 21 and have not long left the class. They still proudly tell you that they are Cadets, and how they have such a love of the community that they grew up within.
Posted on 31 Jul Cadet Nationals brings back emotional memories
by Magnus Smith
Ex-Cadet from 1950s recalls the part her family played in taking the class international "We took a Cadet out into the middle of the river, and tried to see how many people could fit on before it sunk."
Posted on 30 Jul From the Olympics to ocean passages
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
1.5 million users and counting: from Olympians, to ocean racers, cruisers and powerboaters Yes. The best there are on the water use PredictWind. However, it is not just limited to the Olympic Classes. Ocean racers and cruisers, as well as powerboat passage makers comprise the 1.5m users of the renowned system, and there is good reason why.
Posted on 29 Jul From Hvar to Paris 2024
by Mark Jardine
The Olympic Games are unique The Olympic Games are unique. Coming once every four years, it can be a once in a lifetime sporting opportunity. For the small Croatian island of Hvar, Paris 2024 is a first, as the island's first-ever Olympian will be competing, and he's a sailor.
Posted on 23 Jul Never again! (Except for next time…)
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
What's it like to take a Cruiser/Racer racing? And not just any old race What's it like to take a Cruiser/Racer racing? Not just any racing, mind you, but two of the world's most famous courses. The Transpac and the Hobart. This was the premise presented to Charles Ettienne-Devanneaux ahead of our most recent chat.
Posted on 17 Jul Whisper it quietly..
by Mark Jardine
Don't say it too loudly, but the Youth Sailing Worlds are taking place next week Don't say it too loudly, but the Youth Sailing World Championships are taking place at Lake Garda in under a week's time.
Posted on 9 Jul It's upon us
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Paris 2024 happens this month. Little wonder it seems like it has come back around quickly Paris 2024 happens this month. Little wonder it seems like it has come back around quickly, when this current quadrennial actually started in 2021. Still. Is what it is… 12 sailors comprise the Australian Olympic Sailing Team.
Posted on 2 Jul Make mine a Magnum
by Dougal Henshall
50 year old International Moth design gets a 21st century make-over In almost every respect, 'Magnum' was a 1970s classic, but 50 years on the Magnum Moth is about to get a 21st century make-over. Sailors wanting to join the growing Lowrider Moth fleet just have to ask themselves, "Do you feel lucky?"
Posted on 27 Jun Performance vs. Participation
by Mark Jardine
Or Correlation vs. Causation? I've heard many a time that one of the reasons for a fall in participation in sailing is the increased performance of boats. Effectively, the skill level and athleticism required in high performance boats excludes a range of people from participating.
Posted on 25 Jun The latest kit for summer boating, rain or shine
by Sarah Heron
Our pick of the latest kit Summer's finally here and the season is in full swing. Here's our pick of the latest kit for racing, cruising and enjoying the water, rain or shine.
Posted on 19 Jun It's just a stick
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
It was just like watching an enthusiastic kid It was just like watching an enthusiastic kid. Alinghi's Silvio Arrivabene was totally in the 'nothing to see here' mode, and moreover, was keener to get into the ‘maybe exceeding them' remarks about their targets. Did someone say, ‘Spinal Tap'?
Posted on 17 Jun Corinthian Spirit
by Mark Jardine
The inaugural Corinthian J70 Worlds had a superb entry of 109 boats Sailing has gone through phases of being professional and Corinthian. Originally a pastime for the rich, then becoming a sport for everyone during the boom in the 1960s and 1970s.
Posted on 11 Jun Para, Inclusive and Open RS Venture Connect
by Mark Jardine
We find out more ahead of the upcoming World Championship at Rutland, UK We speak to Dan Jaspers, who is responsible for International Sales and Business Development at the RS Marine Group, about the RS Venture Connect.
Posted on 6 Jun