The Ocean Race report, Etchells Words, Congressional Cup, Olympic-class racing
by David Schmidt 25 Apr 2023 16:00 BST
April 25, 2023
The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 21 April 2023. 11th Hour Racing wins the In-Port race in Itajaí © Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you're officially excused from believing that this thing call "spring" is actually unfurling in other parts of the country and across the northern hemisphere. This is because a reluctant La Nina cycle and a persistent low-pressure system off the West Coast have been pumping cooler-than-average temps into the region. While this wouldn't be cause for complaint come August, late April isn't the best time to be experiencing near-winter temperatures.
Luckily, there's been great sailing going on elsewhere.
For starters, The Ocean Race held their in-port race off of Itajai, Brazil last Friday. While IMOCA 60s are not exactly known for their round-the-buoy prowess, the fact that all teams were racing these ocean thoroughbreds leveled the field and gave fans something fun to talk about, even if the hydrofoils offered drag, not lift, in the light breeze.
Skipper Charlie Enright and his 11th Hour Racing team pulled off the win in the 8-10 knot airs and full displacement-mode sailing. They were joined on the winner's podium by skipper Paul Meilhat's Biotherm squad and skipper Will Harris's Team Malizia. (N.B. Harris is co-skipper of Team Malizia, but he's filling in for skipper Boris Herrmann, who is standing down this leg as part of a planned crew rotation.)
"In conditions like this, it's never over until it's over," said Enright in an official race report. "Big credit to the team, I start the boat and everyone else does the rest. I can't say enough for the guys down below who do all the work. It's a good day for us here in Brazil."
Two days later, the five-strong fleet departed Itajai with their bows pointed for Newport, Rhode Island, and the (ballpark) 5,550-nautical mile Leg Four.
Unfortunately for 11th Hour Racing and GUYOT environnement-Team Europe, their great starts were deemed a little too great (read: OCS), so the other three boats enjoyed an easier time out of the gate than they otherwise might have expected.
As of this writing (Monday morning, West Coast time), skipper Kevin Escoffier's Team Holcim—PRB was leading the charge by a margin of some five nautical miles, followed by Harris's Team Malizia and Meilhat's Biotherm. But, with some 4,950 nautical miles to go, there will be plenty of time for teams to play Snakes and Ladders as they push towards Newport.
Meanwhile, much closer to home, the Etchells Worlds recently wrapped up on the waters off of Miami, Florida. After eight races, John Sommi's Veracity took the top prize, followed by Steve Benjamin's Tons of Steel and Jim Cunningham's Lifted.
And on the waters off of Long Beach, California, the 58th Congressional Cup recently concluded, with skipper Chris Poole and his team posting straight bullets to decisively win the regatta and the right to don the distinctive crimson blazer. They were joined on the podium by skipper Jeppe Borch and his team, followed by skipper Nick Egnot-Johnson and his crew.
Finally, in Olympic sailing news, the Semaine Olympique Française (April 22 to 29) is under way this week on the waters off of the Port of Hyères, in southern France. Racing will take place in all Olympic classes.
The USA will be represented by three 49er teams, two 49erFX teams, one Nacra 17 squad, six male Formula Kiters, one female Formula Kiter, four Laser Radial sailors (read: ILCA 6), two Laser sailors (read: ILCA 7), and two Women's iQFOIL sailors.
Canadian interests will be represented by one 49er team, two 49erFX teams, one male Formula Kiter, one female Formula Kiter, two Laser Radial sailors, and two Laser sailors.
Sail-World recognizes that both the American and Canadian teams have been dealing with Olympic headwinds in recent years (especially the American-flagged team), and we wish all of these athletes great luck as they compete on the international stage.
May the four winds blow you safely home,
David Schmidt
Sail-World.com North American Editor