Thank God he didn't!
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Back at Sandringham YC in 2014, I met a strapping young West Australian... Back at Sandringham Yacht Club, in December of 2014, I got to meet a strapping young West Australian lad. Incredibly personable and quite worldly already, especially considering his years, Matt Wearn was a delight to speak with.
Posted on 27 Mar Risk and reward
by Mark Jardine
Much more than a port tack flyer or banging a corner I've yet to meet a keen sailor who hasn't at some point banged a corner, usually after a poor start, and come out top at the windward mark. Nine times out of ten it won't work, but that one time where it does certainly brings out the smiles.
Posted on 20 Mar Edward Woodward
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
He played Lieutenant (Henry Harbord) Harry ‘The Breaker' Morant in the film. He played Lieutenant (Henry Harbord) Harry ‘The Breaker' Morant in the Bruce Beresford film depiction of the famed bush poet's execution during the Second Boer War. Woodward was utterly superb at it, too.
Posted on 12 Mar When did you discover Henri-Lloyd?
by Mark Jardine
For me it was as a kid in 1982 at the London Boat Show 60 years, six decades, three score. However you say it, it's a long time, especially when so much has changed in the intervening years since 1963. Throughout that time there has been a single watchword summing up Henri-Lloyd: Innovation.
Posted on 10 Mar Simply the Best: 5o5 celebration at Hayling Island
by Dougal Henshall
The last great 'untold' narrative of dinghy development It is one of those sadder facts for our long established 'senior' classes, that when they were first developed, no one could have envisaged that they would still be at the forefront of our sport a lifetime later.
Posted on 7 Mar It may not be the biggest...
by Mark Jardine
It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, held in the UK on the final weekend of February.
Posted on 6 Mar What was intriguing at the RYA Dinghy Show 2023?
by Magnus Smith
Remote operated self-bailers set one man's heart a flutter Determined not to let moving house (the day before) put him off, YachtsandYachting.com's website developer, Magnus Smith, attended his favourite boat show during the last weekend in February.
Posted on 6 Mar The Wise Man of the West
by Dougal Henshall
Another of our first generation 'greats' has left us - Alec Stone Another of our first generation 'greats' has left us. The name of Alec Stone is hardly an oft featured favourite, yet he should not be forgotten as he had become one of the great links to an era of sailing and boatbuilding that is now long past.
Posted on 5 Mar Not a bag of liquorice
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
There was a standout notion. That would be all sorts, hence the title. However, after one of the many conversations I have with our Managing Editor, Mark Jardine there was a standout notion. That would be all sorts, hence the title.
Posted on 27 Feb 'Simply the Best'
by Mark Jardine
We talk to Dougal Henshall about his 5o5 tome For many years now the story of one of the sport's most iconic dinghies, the 5o5, has been shrouded in something of a mystery. Where did that wonderful reverse flared hull shape come from?
Posted on 26 Feb Interview with Europe sailor Hannah Carruthers
by Mark Jardine
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2023 Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of YachtsandYachting.com and Sail-World.com, spoke to 2021 Cadet class National Champion Hannah Carruthers about what attracted her to the Europe dinghy and why she's sailing one in 2023.
Posted on 26 Feb Nebuchadnezzar wins Concours d'Elegance
by Mark Jardine
Matrix insprired Shearwater announced as boat of the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show For the judging of the Concours d'Elegance, Mark Jardine, Editor of YachtsandYachting.com, was joined this year by British Sailing Team ILCA 7 sailor Micky Beckett.
Posted on 25 Feb Hindsight is a wonderful thing
by Mark Jardine
The contrast of emotions watching the KPMG Australia SailGP Sydney was stark The contrast of emotions watching the KPMG Australia SailGP Sydney was stark, even viewed from afar.
Posted on 20 Feb Two Boats. Same Direction.
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Well. You know what that means. There's a race on! Well. You know what that means. There's a race on! Never a truer word spoken, either... Well at least from my point of view, anyway.
Posted on 12 Feb Continuing to #BackTheBid
by Mark Jardine
A bitter blow when it was announced Para Sailing would not be included in the LA28 Paralympics It was a bitter blow for sailing last week when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that Para Sailing would not be included in the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Posted on 7 Feb Book review: Flotsam and Jetsam
by Magnus Smith
A collection of amusing tales from Bob Ross' gossip column I'm not Australian, and yet this collection of bar stories still amused me to read through in my spare moments. To be fair, the local colour was balanced fairly often with tales from international offshore racing and the America's/Admiral's Cups.
Posted on 5 Feb New Allen blocks at boot Düsseldorf 2023
by Mark Jardine
We speak to Ben Harden about the latest in the range, including the mighty TiiTAN We speak to Ben Harden at boot Düsseldorf 2023 about the new products from Allen, including the redesigned 40mm range, the deck organiser range, the High Roller block range, and the mighty TiiTAN.
Posted on 31 Jan All vessels great and small
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
January is a great time 'Down Under': Loads of annual regattas for coveted titles January is such a great time 'Down Under': A load of annual regattas for coveted Australian Championships, with many very much steeped in a grand history, and often a World title or two are in there, as well.
Posted on 29 Jan First look at boot: Peacoq foiling doublehander
by Mark Jardine
Video interview with Patrick Billot, the CEO and Founer of Foily Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com, talks to Patrick Billot, the CEO and Founer of Foily, about the foiling Peacoq dinghy at boot Düsseldorf 2023.
Posted on 26 Jan First look at boot: The Tiwal 3R
by Mark Jardine
We speak to Emmanuel Bertrand about the revolutionary inflatable dinghy Inflatables and their use in watersports have come a long way, with inflatable stand up paddle boards and canoes now commonplace. The rigidity though for a performance dinghy has though been a challenge, but the Tiwal 3R addresses that.
Posted on 26 Jan What have we learned from The Ocean Race Leg 1?
by Mark Jardine
How the latest generation of IMOCAs stack up against each other As I outlined a fortnight ago, I was concerned about The Ocean Race, and whether - 50 years on from the first Whitbread - a fully crewed, multi-stopover round the world race in the latest cutting-edge foiling machines was relevant.
Posted on 23 Jan “Could have. Might have…
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
…but second still feels pretty good. Epic Hobart.” So read my message from Lee Condell. ...but second still feels pretty good. Epic Hobart.” This was the message Lee Condell sent me after he and Lincoln Dews arrived aboard Sun Fast Racing.
Posted on 15 Jan The changing face of offshore racing
by Mark Jardine
Is it a battle of technology, or just an adventure that we're craving? Sunday saw the opening battles of The Ocean Race, with both the IMOCA and VO65 fleets taking part in the Alicante In-Port Race. It was a testing day on the water with the wind dropping to almost nothing towards the finish.
Posted on 9 Jan Metaphors run thick and deep
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
The 2022 Sydney Hobart did many things Now you might think you show up with a well-prepared boat, great crew, some provisions, point South, and it all happens. The 2022 Sydney Hobart did many things, but the greatest, and most distinct element is that the plan that remains omnipotent.
Posted on 1 Jan A Sure Thing
by Mark Jardine
Following the Sydney Hobart has become rather an obsession Following the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race straight after the festivities of Christmas Day has become rather an obsession. Being in the UK, the start is not at a social time, and requires dedication to get up for, but in my book it's worth it.
Posted on 26 Dec 2022 For when inclusion is not just a byword
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
There is no doubt that this is my overarching sentiment regarding andoo Comanche There is no doubt that this is my overarching sentiment regarding andoo Comanche. From back on August 1 with Beginning a Winning to now, I have been afforded all that I could want.
Posted on 18 Dec 2022 The other types of sailing
by Mark Jardine
Sailing isn't defined by the boat or craft, but by the physics of deriving power from the wind Sailing isn't defined by the boat or craft, but by the physics of deriving power from the wind, and as this has become more and more efficient, it has been possible to sail faster and faster.
Posted on 12 Dec 2022 Streaming to Hobart with LawConnect
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Christian Beck's supermaxi has already claimed first place in 2022 Hobart race... Christian Beck's supermaxi, LawConnect, has already claimed first place in the 2022 Sydney to Hobart race. And for that matter, every race hereafter. No. No. No. We're not talking Line Honours, which is the prime directive of the campaign.
Posted on 4 Dec 2022 The Man in the Tower
by Mark Jardine
We speak to SailGP's Chief Umpire Back in August it was a frustrated Sir Ben Ainslie who suggested that the onlooking Duchess of Cambridge should "send him to the Tower", referring to the Chief Umpire following a rule call at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.
Posted on 28 Nov 2022 Video Interview with Seldén's Mats-Uno Fredrikson
by Mark Jardine
Taking a closer look at Seldén's electronically driven sail handling products at METSTRADE Swedish mast and deck hardware manufacturer, Seldén Mast has expanded its range of electronically driven sail handling products with the launch of the CXe45 two-speed electric Code 0 furler. We spoke to Seldén's Mats-Uno Fredrikson to find out more.
Posted on 28 Nov 2022 Interview with Sailmon's Kalle Coster
by Mark Jardine
We find out more about the Sailmon Sailing App at METSTRADE 2022 Sailmon don't just make instruments, and the Sailmon Sailing App is becoming a powerful tool for analysis, event organisation, photos and video from your sailing, as well as sharing and connecting with the wider sailing community.
Posted on 25 Nov 2022 Interview with Ocean Safety's Alistair Hackett
by Mark Jardine
Discussing marine safety and innovative lifesaving equipment at METS 2022 Ocean Safety's Managing Director Alistair Hackett, discusses marine safety and innovative lifesaving equipment at METS 2022 with Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor Mark Jardine.
Posted on 23 Nov 2022 Interview with Jake Keilman and Todd Wilson
by Mark Jardine
We take a closer look during METSTRADE 2022 Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com talks to Jake Keilman and Todd Wilson of Vakaros at METSTRADE 2022 about the small, but incredibly powerful, Atlas 2 sailing instrument.
Posted on 21 Nov 2022 Location. Location. Location.
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
The Land Rats have it as a footnote on every page of their bible The Land Rats have it as a footnote on every page of their bible. In bold, too. And they probably chant it every morning at their group love-ins before hitting the phones.
Posted on 20 Nov 2022 Interview with Cyclops Marine CTO Ed Colby
by Mark Jardine
We find out the latest from the high technology company at METSTRADE We spoke to Ed Colby of Cyclops Marine during METSTRADE 2022 about the latest innovations that they have made, including the world's first Wireless Load Pin for Sailing Yachts, which was nominated for a DAME Design Award.
Posted on 17 Nov 2022 The Boy in the Bubble
by Mark Jardine
If you haven't listened to Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland, then you've missed out If you haven't listened to Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland, then you've missed out, and I highly recommend you do.
Posted on 14 Nov 2022 Tom Gillard's (almost) perfect 2022
by Mark Jardine
25 events, 23 wins, one World title, four National titles, and one that got away! It's hard to win a major championship, fine tuning your boat, your sailing skills, knowing the venue, and putting in that vital time on the water, but sometimes you get a sailor who puts together a season which on paper looks nearly impossible.
Posted on 9 Nov 2022 No Bull (Actually, it's more like, Yes Bull!)
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Ben Durham is funny, and wonderful to talk with... Also, he's incredibly sharp and knowledgeable. Ben Durham is known to a lot of souls as Bull. He's funny, and wonderful to talk with, yet the overarching thing you feel when spending time with him is sharp.
Posted on 7 Nov 2022 Autism on the Water
by Mark Jardine
We speak to the charity's founder Murray MacDonald We spoke to Murray MacDonald, who runs the charity Autism on the Water, which is committed to raising awareness of the autistic spectrum through the sport of sailing and helping autistic people to access sailing.
Posted on 3 Nov 2022 The Rhum Line
by Mark Jardine
The French word for rum, the traditional sailors' drink Rhum. The French word for rum, the traditional sailors' drink, and the name of the route for the second most famous solo offshore race held every four years in-between each edition of the Vendée Globe.
Posted on 31 Oct 2022 Gabo. An island, or an acronym?
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
The Foredeck Union T-shirt certainly had 'Got A Bit On' emblazoned on the back of it! So somewhere around the Iron Age, the Foredeck Union T-shirt certainly had 'Got A Bit On' emblazoned on the back of it... Can't be sure, for it was a long time ago, but I think the front said ‘Talk to me', or something along those lines.
Posted on 24 Oct 2022 Sailing as a foreign language
by Mark Jardine
We need to be mindful of everything we say when talking to those new to the sport We need to be mindful of everything we say when talking to those who are only out on the water for the first time, because many of the terms we use - and find commonplace - are like a foreign language to those unfamiliar with them.
Posted on 17 Oct 2022 James Ward interview
by Mark Jardine
Insights on the Marine Resources Salary Survey 2022 Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com, YachtsandYachting.com and powerboat.world, talks to the CEO and Founder of Marine Resources about the 2022 Salary Survey at the Southampton International Boat Show.
Posted on 11 Oct 2022 Just has to be that time
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
Every year, and sometime about now, the articles begin about Hobart Every year, and sometime about now, the articles begin about Hobart. For many people, the conversation actually begins much earlier. After all, you do not just show up on day, walk the quay, ask for a ride, and more than likely get on...
Posted on 10 Oct 2022 Art on the Water
by Mark Jardine
It is hard not to marvel at the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez photos With Act 1 of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2022 now concluded, it was hard not to marvel at the photos coming through from the event. The exceptional photographer Ingrid Abery sent through her shots, which looked like classical paintings.
Posted on 4 Oct 2022 Powered by Water
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
There is the crossover between racing and cruising - but with sail and power? Plenty of times before, both here and also on our sister website, SailWorldCruisng.com, I have talked about the crossover between racing and cruising.
Posted on 25 Sep 2022 IMOCA extremes & Slava Ukraini!
by Mark Jardine
The cutting-edge in offshore racing yachts and hope amidst devastation The IMOCA class represents the cutting-edge in offshore racing yachts, and is the design used for the Vendée Globe, which has taken the mantle of the preeminent round the world yacht race, as well as The Ocean Race in a fully crewed format.
Posted on 20 Sep 2022 Wildwind has it all... and turns it up to 11!
by Mark Jardine
My sailing holiday at the legendary venue of Vassiliki It was back in 2006 that I last visited Wildwind, and in that article for Yachts & Yachting magazine I wrote that 'Wildwind has it all!'. It turns out that I didn't know the half of it, as it has so much more.
Posted on 14 Sep 2022 Bronze Age
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail World AUS
An all-conquering Adams 10 heading off to do some of the Asian circuit, well… When a call came through about an all-conquering Adams 10 heading off to do some of the Asian circuit, well… Seriously. They had me at Raja Muda.
Posted on 12 Sep 2022 Finn de siècle
by Dougal Henshall
Dougal Henshall digs through early historic photos and stories on the Finn class We look at the Finn, the boat that had already cemented its position as the Olympic singlehander in the 50s, although the DNA of the boat was rooted in events leading back even before the war years....
Posted on 8 Sep 2022