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Volvo Ocean Race: A thousand miles in and it’s still anyone’s game

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:03:00 +10

After more than 1,000 nautical miles of ocean racing on the second stage of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race to Sanya in China, just five miles separated the top four boats as they entered the feared Malacca Strait on Friday.

The Next Challenge maintains Sydney 38 Nationals lead

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:00:39 +10

Four races were completed on day two of the 2012 Sydney 38 Australian Championship off Pittwater, and Lou Abrahams’ The Next Challenge team, skippered by Mark Bulka, won the day and continue to lead going into the final day of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club hosted event.

Melges 24 Nationals: Accru turns the screws on Bandit

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:57:22 +10

Day two of the Melges 24 Australian Championship at Festival of Sails in Geelong and crews were notified of a change of course area to D outside Corio Bay, an hour out through the shallow shipping channel.

Volvo Ocean Race: Fleet in hot pursuit of Telefonica

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:00:26 +10

Telefónica (Iker Martínez/ESP) leads from Puma (Ken Read/USA), Camper (Chris Nicholson/AUS) and Groupama 4 (Franck Cammas/FRA) in a fight that will last at least 25 nautical miles to Statue Point, situated on the northern tip of Pulau We, the island the fleet must leave to starboard before entering the Malacca Strait.

Festival of Sails: Georgia on everyone’s mind

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:57:15 +10

The local lads haven’t yet been able to stave off a foreign raid of results in the Festival of Sails Audi Centre Geelong Premier Racing Division A, after Georgia’s triple handicap win on Corio Bay today.

Festival of Sails: Moody weather makes the going tough

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:32:19 +10

While the Cruising and Classic yacht divisions and multihulls sailed in a favourable south-easterly breeze early today, it was a glass-out in the middle of the day, then finally, Geelong’s Corio Bay put its best foot forward for the afternoon session.

Aussie sailors celebrate Australia Day in style in Miami

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:27:45 +10

Australian sailors have celebrated Australia Day in style in Miami with victories aplenty on day four of the ISAF Sailing World Cup’s American leg.

It’s show time at Miami OCR

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:25:47 +10

A final showdown awaits three Paralympic classes tomorrow and 10 Olympic classes on Saturday at US Sailing’s Rolex Miami OCR, which has, thus far, gifted sailors with four days of sublime sunshine and light but satisfying winds.

Corio Vertue brings Passage Race to a close

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:23:43 +10

Andy and Di Indrans’ 25ft classic timber yacht, Corio Vertue, last night returned to her home ground in Geelong, where she signalled the close of the Passage Race from Melbourne to Geelong just before 6pm last night.

Volvo Ocean Race: Camper falls prey to Telefonica

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:58:58 +10

In contrast to the port tack beat for the first four days of this Volvo Ocean Race leg, the last 24 hours have been nothing short of dramatic; this afternoon at 1600 UTC, Team Telefónica, skippered by Iker Martínez was screaming through the fleet, sailing up to two knots faster than the rest and picking off places without remorse.

Lou Abrahams early leader at Sydney 38 Nationals

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:46:43 +10

Veteran yachtsman Lou Abrahams’ The Next Challenge, from Sandringham Yacht Club in Victoria, leads with only two points separating the first three boats on the first day of the 2012 Sydney 38 National Championship, after a testing day on the water.

Rooklyn fires off two bullets to lead Melges 24 Nationals

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:43:23 +10

The Festival of Sails and Corio Bay served up great conditions for day one of the 2012 Melges 24 Australian Championships; sunshine, up to 20 knots of wind and dolphins.

Sydney Hobart legends excel in 176th Australia Day Regatta

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:17:47 +10

Two past line honours winners and an overall winner of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Brindabella, Fidelis and Quest, today excelled in their respective fleets of the 176th Australia Day Regatta as yachties celebrated the national day afloat on Sydney Harbour and on an historic strength of ocean between Sydney and Botany Bay.

18’s Australian Championship Race 3 goes to Smeg

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:15:24 +10

The Smeg 18ft Skiff team of Nick Press, Dan Phillips and Dave Ewings held on in a gripping finish to defeat defending champion and series leader Thurlow Fisher Lawyers in Race 2 of the Australian Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

New Shogun blitzes the field at Festival of Sails

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:13:25 +10

Rob Hanna’s new TP52 Shogun V has taken double of line and handicap honours in its maiden Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race, the 34 nautical mile course which traditionally marks the start of the Festival of Sails.

Sanctuary Cove Boat Show shows early promise

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:10:20 +10

The 24th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 24-27 May 2012, has been supercharged and amped to the max with a myriad of attractions to deliver outstanding value for money for visitors to the Show.

Upbeat day for Australia at Miami OCR

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:08:09 +10

Australian sailors have enjoyed another upbeat day on the water at round two of the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami, Florida.

Light airs smile on competitors at Miami OCR

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:47 +10

The weather has been “stuck on beautiful” at the Rolex Miami OCR, but more importantly to the competing 529 sailors from 41 countries, has been the wind on Biscayne Bay, which today strengthened in knots to reach low double digits and help re-ignite several key performances of sailors turning the corner to enter the regatta’s home stretch.

Passage Race opens Festival of Sails

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:56:45 +10

The annual Festival of Sails got started on Australia Day with a bang – literally – as the Mayor of the city of Greater Geelong, John Mitchell, fired the starting cannon for the traditional Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race.

Volvo Ocean Race: Fleet needs to watch out for Telefonica

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:08:57 +10

There’s no holding back the overall race leader, Team Telefónica, with Spaniard Iker Martínez in charge, as she pulled back almost 10 miles on the Leg 3 leaders today, jumping two places up the rankings in the process.

Clipper Race: Whole fleet in Batam and partying

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:05:56 +10

The final three entries of the Clipper 11-12 Race fleet have arrived in Batam after completing Race 7 of the 40,000-mile marathon and are now celebrating with the other seven teams ashore.

Bids invited to host ISAF Nations Cup

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:51:15 +10

ISAF is seeking bids from organisers around the world to host ISAF Nations Cup Regional Finals during 2012-13 and the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final in 2013.

Festival of Sails to celebrate Australia Day with Passage Race

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:47:55 +10

Organisers are running around making final preparations, competitors are checking their rides are shipshape, the bar at Royal Geelong Yacht Club is being stocked to the brim and the trophies are being polished until gleaming for the Festival of Sails’ main act.

Aussies up the ante in Miami

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:46:55 +10

Australian sailors Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page have taken the lead in the 470 Men’s on the second day of the ISAF Sailing World Cup round in Miami, Florida after the reigning world champs and world number ones started the day third overall.

Tess Lloyd takes major step forward

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:44:28 +10

Injured 29er skipper Tess Lloyd has taken a major step forward as she continues to recover from an accident on the final day of the 2012 Australian Youth Championships in Brisbane.

Sydney 38 Nationals underway tomorrow

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:17:28 +10

There should be very little separating the 15 Sydney 38s contesting the Nationals being hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, commencing on Australia Day, but Mark Griffith’s Old School has to start favourite having won the last four regattas on the trot.

Weather plays ball so races run to schedule at Miami OCR

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:09:11 +10

Today’s 8-11 knot breeze on Biscayne Bay allowed three of the Rolex Miami OCR’s 10 Olympic classes to catch up on the races they lost due to dying winds yesterday afternoon, and 529 sailors from 41 countries now have two days behind them in this important ISAF Sailing World Cup event.

Brisbane Gladstone brings back memories for Harburg

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:30:56 +10

Peter Harburg, owner of the Queensland ocean racing yacht Black Jack, is preparing to spend the early part of Easter paying another personal tribute to his late father Clive Harburg.

Volvo Ocean Race: Nicholson uses every weapon in the book

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:28:36 +10

Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand is in a strong position as the fleet heads out across the Bay of Bengal, after Chris Nicholson (AUS) took the opportunity of a cloud line that produced a 60-degree favourable wind shift, to tack north.

Melges raring to go at Nationals in Geelong

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:26:48 +10

The Melges 24 fleet are descending on Geelong from all over Australia to compete in the Australian Championship from the 26–29 January at the Festival of Sails.

Clipper Race: Final trio expected in Batam tomorrow

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:24:45 +10

The final yachts in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are expected to arrive in Batam, Indonesia, at midday tomorrow ahead of their spectacular arrival in Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore on Saturday.

Century of yacht design for 176th Australia Day Regatta

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:21:36 +10

This Thursday’s 176th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour will be a showcase of more than a century of Australian yacht design and construction, as well as a near century of development by Sydney’s iconic 18-foot skiffs.

Aussies mixed fortunes at Sailing World Cup in Miami

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:12:49 +10

Light conditions have tested crews on the opening day of the Rolex Miami OCR in Florida, the second round of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, with a number of Australian sailors beginning the regatta strongly.

Rolex Miami OCR: From perfect winds to a struggle

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:37 +10

It started out a perfect day on Biscayne Bay, with sunshine and 12 knots of breeze, but gave way to struggling light winds by late afternoon, when several of the 10 Olympic and three Paralympic classes at the Rolex Miami OCR regatta were trying to finish opening day races.

Wollongong Harbour - exclusive use Australia Day

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:23:27 +10

NSW Maritime has granted an exclusive use aquatic licence for the safe staging of an aquathon on Wollongong Harbour this Thursday (26 Jan).

Volvo Ocean Race: Drag race is on!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:04:22 +10

For the next 1,000 nautical miles, the Volvo Open 70 fleet will be on port tack in a drag race that is taking the fleet across the southern tip of Sri Lanka and into the Bay of Bengal towards the waypoint at Pulau. We and the entrance of the Malacca Strait, nine miles off the northernmost tip of Sumatra.

Clipper Race: Celebrating Chinese New Year in Batam

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:02:11 +10

The ecstatic Derry-Londonderry crew have arrived in Batam, Indonesia, after securing second place in Leg 7 in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race, one of seven to make it in time to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

MOD70 on display in Germany

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:59:31 +10

Monday 23 January at the Dusseldorf Boat Show, the much anticipated 2012 MOD70 European Tour was unveiled and starting 29 August, in five weeks of intensive racing, the six competing boats will race nearly 5,000 nautical miles.

Two AC45’s on the go for Artemis

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:55:03 +10

Artemis Racing is preparing its two AC45s for an upcoming training session in Valencia, after buying a second AC45 in November in order to create a competitive environment in-house.

Tess Lloyd showing positive recovery signs in Brisbane

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:00:38 +10

Victorian 29er skipper Tess Lloyd is showing more positive signs as she continues to recover from a head injury sustained during the Australian Youth Championships on Tuesday, 10 January 2012.

Australian sailors prepare for World Cup racing in Miami

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:58:05 +10

Seven Australian crew are preparing for the first ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta of the Olympic year with racing set to begin in Miami, Florida, on Monday, for the second round of the 2011/2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup, following the opening regatta in Melbourne last November.

‘Twirler’ helps Groovederci to perfect victory at Key West

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:56:03 +10

The Quantum Key West Race Week concluded over the weekend in Florida USA and Groovederci, with Aussie Darren ‘Twirler’ Jones trimming, dominated the Farr 30 division after scoring a perfect 10 straight wins.

Milang to Goolwa Classic recovers beautifully from drought

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:53:49 +10

It was a majestic sight for the dozens of spectator boats lining the river between Clayton and Goolwa as a large fleet of boats raced their way along the channel to the finish line in the first The Marina Hindmarsh Island Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic in five years.

Olympic and Paralympic sailors invade Coconut Grove

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:15:21 +10

Life in Miami’s always-bustling Coconut Grove neighbourhood was punctuated today by the added activity of 529 sailors from 41 countries preparing for tomorrow’s start of US Sailing’s Rolex Miami OCR.

Puma’s turn to lead Volvo Ocean Race

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:22:23 +10

Puma’s Mar Mostro (Ken Read/USA) is the new leader tonight at 1900 UTC, having forced earlier leader Camper (Chris Nicholson/AUS) into second place, but the entire fleet is split by only 2.9 nautical miles, and Camper is only 0.10 nm behind Mar Mostro.

Top line-up to start Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:20:06 +10

With the sixth edition of the Extreme Sailing Series™ kicking off in just five weeks in Muscat, Oman, a top quality team line up has been announced from the Dusseldorf Boat Show where Marinepool, official clothing partner to the Series, unveiled their very cool new range of merchandise.

Clipper entries heading to Chinese New Year celebrations

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:16:52 +10

The Clipper 11-12 Race Team has arrived in Nongsa Point Marina in Batam, Indonesia, where the yachts are due to muster ahead of next Saturday’s arrival in Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore, and now all that’s needed to complete the picture is 10 competing yachts.

Sanya quick off the mark on Volvo Ocean Race home leg

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:13:38 +10

Team Sanya crew celebrated Chinese New Year’s Eve by leading a full strength Volvo Ocean Race fleet off the start line on the 3,051-nautical mile Leg 3 second stage from the Maldives to their home port in Sanya, China.

‘Royals’ boats have the goods at Festival of Sails

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:10:57 +10

Three Royal Yacht Club of Victoria boats have made a clean sweep of the Melbourne Premier Racing Series, the Festival of Sails opener, on a magic summer’s day on Port Phillip.

18’ Australian Championship: Thurlow Fisher consolidates

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:09:02 +10

Defending champions on Thurlow Fisher Lawyers; Michael Coxon/Aaron Links/Trent Barnabas took a tight grip on the 2012 Australian 18ft Skiff Championship following another easy victory in Race 2 on Sydney Harbour today, but Gotta Love It Seven impressed, with the replacement crew of Nathan Outteridge/Iain Jensen/Scott Babbage coming home second.

Volvo race crews champing to get going again

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:14:33 +10

The six yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race fleet will resume racing from the Maldives on Sunday at 0800 UTC after the five boats being shipped through piracy affected waters in the Indian Ocean safely reconvened with the waiting Team Sanya.

Cougar II sets fast time in Betsey Island Race

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:11:46 +10

Hobart’s newest racing yacht, Cougar II, today set what is believed to be a race record time for a port-hand rounding in the Derwent Sailing Squadron’s traditional Betsey Island Race, surfing back up the Derwent in a spectacular spinnaker run.

Festival of Sails' day of incidents

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:14:05 +10

The Festival of Sails Melbourne Premier Racing Series began with a series of incidents on Port Phillip, with a man overboard, breakage on the favoured Scarlet Runner and a ghastly kite drop on Rob Hanna’s new Shogun V, bringing the 52 footer to a grinding halt.

Australian Teams Racing Championship to WA

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:57:00 +10

Team WA has won the AIODA 2012 Australian Teams Racing Championship at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

TP52 Class announces 2012 racing circuit

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:14:10 +10

Key West, Florida: Following a series of meetings held during Quantum Key West Race Week, members of the TP52 class are pleased to announce plans for grand prix racing in 2012 and beyond.

Banque Populaire record ratified

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:12:44 +10

The WSSR Council announces the ratification of a new outright around the world record for Banque Populaire 5.

Volvo Ocean Race fleet prepares for China leg

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:10:19 +10

The complete Volvo Ocean Race line-up will head into battle for the first time in more than a month on Sunday, as the second stage of Leg 3 gets underway to the Chinese city of Sanya.

50th Anniversary Rolex China Sea Race

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:08:16 +10

This year marks 50 years since five boats set off from Hong Kong, intent on racing to Manila in the Philippines, and amongst them the five pioneering boats possessed one VHF radio, no trackers, no computer aided navigation and no weather routing subscriptions – the intervening years have seen many changes.

Jack Graves wins Optimist Australian Championship

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:06:03 +10

Victorian sailor Jack Graves took the lead going into the final day of racing and followed up with a solid day’s performance on the final day to win the 2012 Optimist Australian Championship, sailed in a big 18-20 knot southerly off Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, which hosted the event.

Woody back aboard his 18 footer

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:01:38 +10

18ft Skiff champion John Winning is universally known as ‘Woody’ or ‘Woodchop’, but after his recent effort this could be changed to ‘Iron Man’.

Australian Maritime Museum locates Royal Charlotte shipwreck

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:59:01 +10

An Australian National Maritime Museum expedition currently taking place on the Coral Sea has located the remains of the India bound ship Royal Charlotte, wrecked in 1825.

Notice of Race available for Farr 40 Australian Championship

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:50:30 +10

The 2012 Farr 40 Australian Championship will be held from 3-4 March 2012 on the waters of Sydney Harbour, and is set to attract a world-class line up, with competitors representing both interstate and local yacht clubs.

Clipper Race: Gold Coast Australia makes it six wins from seven starts

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:24:58 +10

Gold Coast Australia has claimed victory in Leg 7 of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race after the Race Committee made the decision to shorten the course in the stage from the Gold Coast to Singapore.

Camper prepares for Leg 3 re-start

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:21:14 +10

With two legs of the race complete Camper is holding a solid position in second place, seven points from the overall race leader, Team Telefonica, and Leg 3 looks to be the most challenging to date.

Gurr and Thomas new 29er Australian champions

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:18:37 +10

Jacqui Gurr and Steven Thomas have won the 29er Australian Championship at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, but the top spot for the 2012 title was still open to several boats going into the last day of racing that took place in a 14-18 knot south-easterly wind.

Jack Graves moves into Optimists Australians lead

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:16:11 +10

Australian Jack Graves moved into the lead of the 2012 Optimists Australian National Championship at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly as the breeze built through the day from 10 knots when the fleet hit the water at 10.00am in the morning to 18 by home time at 3.00pm.

Positive day for injured sailor Tess Lloyd

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:14:06 +10

Injured 29er sailor Tess Lloyd has had a positive day as she continues her recovery following a collision during the 2012 Australian Youth Championships in Brisbane last week.

Sydney Harbour: Australia Day boating advice

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:13:49 +10

NSW Maritime has advised skippers planning to head out on Sydney Harbour for what is traditionally the busiest day of the year, on Australia Day, to plan ahead and be familiar with any restrictions that may apply for the safe running of events.

RYA Tribunal to examine Ainslie Perth incident

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:12:53 +10

Gus Lewis, RYA Head of Legal and Government Affairs, has advised that: "The RYA has received and considered the report regarding the incident which took place at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships involving British sailor Ben Ainslie from the International Jury at the event.

Premier racing to kick start Festival of Sails

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:35:22 +10

This weekend’s Melbourne Premier Racing Series will mark the opening of the Festival of Sails for 2012, one of Australia’s best recognised yachting regattas.

Clipper Race: Readying to race again

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:25:34 +10

The 10 teams participating in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race continue to ‘cruise’ along the Celebes Sea in Stealth Mode between the first and second phase of Leg 7 to Singapore and the first convoy of boats has reached the refuelling destination in Malaysia as they make progress towards the gate to resume racing tomorrow.

All classes head to ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:25:18 +10

Running from 22-28 January at Biscayne Bay, Florida in the USA, the Rolex Miami OCR will feature all of the Olympic events as teams’ ramp up preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, including those in the Star, 470, Finn, 49er, Women’s Match Racing and Paralympic classes.

Sanya’s Equatorial virgins hauled before King Neptune

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:25:04 +10

They may have been deprived of a visit to Neptune’s court during Leg 1, but there was no escaping the King of the Seas for the four Team Sanya crew members as they raced to the safe haven.

New leader at 29er Australian Championship

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:24:46 +10

The leader board has been shaken up on the second last day of racing at the 2012 29er Australian National Championship, with Jacqui Gurr and Steven Thomas moving into first place after a spectacular day with a third and three bullets.

Opti sailors pack in five races at Nationals

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:24:29 +10

Kyle O’Connell from the Gold Coast has moved to the top of the fleet after a tiring five races on day three of the 2012 Australian Optimist Championship, following the abandonment of racing on day one and postponed for the entirety of day two.

Jessica Watson joins fellow solo sailor for Three Peaks Race

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:24:09 +10

Fresh from a three month campaign skippering a competitive Sydney 38 in the recent Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, internationally renowned sailor Jessica Watson will take a more “relaxing” role when she returns to Tasmania at Easter.

Ballot to select Endeavour crew for rare astronomical event

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:22:46 +10

The Australian National Maritime Museum today announced it will voyage on board HMB Endeavour to Lord Howe Island in May 2012 to follow in James Cook’s wake and observe the Transit of Venus – a rare astronomical event where the planet Venus moves across the sun.

Injured 29er sailor Tess Lloyd reacting well to treatment

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:55:27 +10

Talented Victorian 29er skipper Tess Lloyd is today showing promising signs as she continues to slowly recover from injuries incurred in a collision during the final race of the 2012 Australian Youth Championships last Tuesday.

Cardiff wins bid to host UK round of Extreme Sailing Series

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:16:41 +10

Great Britain rounds of the award-winning Extreme Sailing Series, now in its sixth year, when it is staged in Cardiff, the capital of Wales between August 24 and 27.

Clipper Race: Thoughts turn to restart tactics

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:14:38 +10

All 10 yachts competing in the Clipper 11-12 Race are now in Stealth Mode, with Edinburgh Inspiring Capital crossing the gate for the finish of the first part of Race 7 yesterday afternoon.

Historic regattas on Australia Day: Sydney Harbour and Sandy Bay

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:58:24 +10

Two of Australia’s oldest regattas will be held next Thursday, 26 January 2012, when sailors in Sydney and Hobart traditionally celebrate Australia Day afloat.

Strong winds cause abandonment of Opti and 29er racing

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:53:22 +10

Racing had been postponed until tomorrow for the 2012 Optimist and 29er Championships at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, caused by a strong wind warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on the morning of the second day of racing for the Optimists and the fourth day of racing for the 29ers.

Not too late to enter Festival of Sails

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:51:23 +10

Entries for this year’s Festival of Sails closed on Sunday and organisers, New Tack and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, are happy with the late surge of applications, which pushed the fleet size to 316.

Not all boaters towing the line

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:46:48 +10

A NSW Maritime safety campaign has revealed some boaters in NSW are taking risks when towing water-skiers and wake-boarders.

Rolex Sydney Hobart highlights coming to Seven next month

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:41:41 +10

Channel Seven has confirmed the Spirit of Yachting edition of the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011 has been scheduled to screen for Sat 25 Feb at 12:30pm - don't miss it!

Luna Rossa launches in Auckland

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:27:23 +10

The Italian team Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 launched and sailed its AC45 for the first time in Auckland on Monday local time.

New racing format for Princesa Sofía

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:20:47 +10

Palma de Mallorca: The 43rd edition of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía MAPFRE, first ISAF Sailing World Cup European stop will be held in the bay of Palma from 31 March to 7 April with a new racing program, including two official training days.

Looking ahead to ISAF Sailing World Cup resuming in Miami

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:18:57 +10

The ISAF Sailing World Cup resumes on 22 January 2012 when US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR returns to the waters of Biscayne Bay.

AIMEX awarded government grant to run seminars

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:16:49 +10

In co-operation with Enterprise Connect, the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) has been awarded a grant to host a total of 5 Seminars to be held nationally in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in February 2012.

Clipper Race: Edinburgh Inspiring Capital brings up the rear

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:15:04 +10

Nine of the 10 yachts in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race are now in Stealth Mode for the cruise phase between the first and second parts of Race 7. The fleet is divided into three groups, accompanying each other through the Celebes and Sulu Seas for safety reasons.

Dee Caffari announces all-woman crew for Sailing Arabia – The Tour

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:12:22 +10

World record-breaking British sailor Dee Caffari is set to skipper an all-woman crew which makes its debut in an international regatta organised by Oman Sail next month.

Join in Olympic Mixed Multihull Evaluation in Santander

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:36:43 +10

Sailors from all classes are welcome to test the catamarans in Santander in Spain from 17-25 March, especially those from the Star and Women’s Match Racing, whose classes will no longer be Olympic classes after the London Games.

Big winds put an early end to first day of Optimists Nationals

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:32:35 +10

Racing was abandoned on the first day of the 2012 Optimist Australian Championship at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron after only one race in each of the four open fleets because the breeze built to 20-25 knots around midday with gusts up to 30 knots recorded.

Bronze medal for Fitzgibbon and Tesch at 2012 IFDS Worlds

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:30:34 +10

Australian Paralympic class sailors Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch have won a bronze medal on the final day of the 2012 IFDS World Championships in Florida.

New world champions crowned at IFDS Worlds

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:21:27 +10

On the final day of racing at the IFDS Worlds the wind cooperated with 7-10 knots with a few shifts for sailors on all three courses and with only one race for each class, it was a short day and winners in all three classes were decided.

Cruisers outnumber the rest at Festival of Sails

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:20:06 +10

By far the largest contingent and the heart and soul of the Festival of Sails 2012 line-up are the cruising division entries, and this year’s event has so far attracted 127 cruising starters and riders divided into spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions.

Premier Racing attracts new sponsor at Festival of Sails

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:17:26 +10

Thanks to the sponsorship of Virgin Garden Organic Tea, the Melbourne racing of the Premier Racing Series at Festival of Sails will be now run as a stand-alone two-day Invitational Regatta*, with the winners of both Divisions A and B to receive a fantastic holiday prize to the Gold Coast.

Clipper Race: Rest and maintenance top the ‘to do’ lists

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:56:33 +10

With nine of the 10 yachts competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race now in Stealth Mode for the cruise phase between the first and second parts of Race 7, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital is the only team left to reach the Celebes Sea.

Leaders under the pump at Australian 29er Nationals

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:41:50 +10

Overall standings in the Australian 29er National Championship remain tight with just three points separating second and sixth places, but Felix Grech and Jack Hubbard (NSW) have maintained their lead over second place by four points after Day 3 of racing at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Cougar II on the prowl in Southern Tasmanian waters

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:36:17 +10

Cougar II is on the prowl in southern Tasmanian waters, with Anthony Lyall’s newest yacht making a winning local race debut in yesterday’s Combined Club Long Distance Series race on the River Derwent and Storm Bay.

18ft Skiffs Australians Race 1 to defending champs

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:30:11 +10

The defending champion Thurlow Fisher Lawyers team of Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas got off to the best possible start in the 2012 Australian 18ft Skiff Championship when they won Race 1 of the series on Sydney Harbour today.

Update on injured 29er skipper Tess Lloyd

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:24:36 +10

Yachting Australia would like to provide an update on the progress of injured 29er sailor Tess Lloyd who suffered a severe head injury in a collision on the final day of the 2012 Australian Youth Championships on Tuesday, 10 January 2012.

Entries open for 48th Newport Bermuda Race

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:20:11 +10

The entry process for the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race opened on January 16, when applications for entry were first accepted on the official race website where entry forms may be found there along with the Notice of Race and other important documents.

Fitzgibbon and Tesch on track to medal at IFDS Worlds

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:18:42 +10

Australia’s Skud 18 crew of Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch will be racing for a medal on the final day of the IFDS World Championships in Florida after moving up from third to second overall on the penultimate day of racing.

Nick Rogers adds Martin Graney Memorial to Dragon title

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:15:03 +10

Hobart yachtsman Nick Rogers yesterday wound up a winning week in the International Dragon class by taking out the Martin Graney Memorial match racing trophy on the Derwent, following his decisive victory in the Prince Philip Cup.

Leaders remain unchanged heading into IFDS worlds final

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:05:30 +10

An 11-15 knot northerly wind was steadier as she goes on the fifth day of competition at the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships on Charlotte Harbour in Florida, USA.

Abu Dhabi sails to a second home victory

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:34:41 +10

Resurgent Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing made it two victories in two days on home waters on Saturday as she clinched first place in a thrilling Leg 3 Stage 1 sprint from Abu Dhabi up the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Women's match racing final battle for Olympic qualification

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:32:19 +10

The 2011 Women's Match World Championship at Perth qualified eight countries to send a team to the Olympics; Australia, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, Russia and USA, while GBR, as host country, is given a berth, leaving three open slots to be decided in February.

Clipper Race: Gold Coast Australia leads fleet into Stealth Mode

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:30:41 +10

The first five teams taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Race have crossed the Celebes Sea gate, entering Stealth Mode in the process and acting on instructions set out by the Race Committee, they and the other five teams will transit in Stealth Mode through the potentially hazardous area.

Unpredictable conditions catch some out at 29er Nationals

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:27:38 +10

There were inconsistent results across three races for each fleet on day two of the Australian 29er National Championships, as conditions at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly were unpredictable with a northerly averaging 10-12 knots.

Shifts make for tricky sailing at IFDS Worlds

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:25:19 +10

Australian sailors have continued their strong run at the 2012 IFDS World Championships with a solid day on the water on the fourth day of racing in Florida.

Clipper Race: Gold Coast Australia back in the lead

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:43:23 +10

Gold Coast Australia’s northerly routing has catapulted her into first place yet again in the Clipper Round the World Race leg to Singapore, after she made making maximum use of the favourable current to oust Derry-Londonderry from the front of the fleet.

Home win for Abu Dhabi at VOR in-port race

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:34:29 +10

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing scored a commanding victory on home waters on Friday, taking top spot in the Etihad Airways In-Port Race to the delight of thousands of ecstatic fans at the Volvo Ocean Race's first Middle Eastern stopover.

Shifty winds make racing interesting at IFDS Worlds

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:31:27 +10

Florida: The wind gods were fickle once again on the fourth day of races at the 2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships and what started out as a three-race day in nine knots of winded, ended up with two races for each fleet at five to seven knots with much debate concerning shortening of courses and moving of marks due to wind shifts.

Grech and Hubbard lead first day of 29er Nationals

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:27:08 +10

On the first day of the 29er Australian Championship at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, there was a different winner for each of the two races across the two groups in an unpredictable easterly 8-10 breeze on Waterloo Bay which turned on 25 degree wind shifts to test the fleet.

Nick Rogers crowned at Prince Philip Cup

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:17:44 +10

Nick Rogers had already won the Prince Philip Cup after six races in his Dragon class yacht, Karabos IX, but he went out to prove a point by sailing in the seventh and final race on the River Derwent today, and notched up an extraordinary fifth win in the regatta, by just two seconds.

Update on the condition of 29er sailor Tess Lloyd

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:09:26 +10

Yachting Australia would like to provide an update on the condition of 29er sailor Tess Lloyd who was injured in an accident during the final race of the 2012 Australian Youth Championships on Tuesday, 10 January 2012.

Australians move up at IFDS World Championships

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:03:19 +10

Australia’s Paralympic class sailors have bounced back from a mixed start to the 2012 IFDS World Championships with a strong day three, with all four crews moving their way up the ladder as racing continued on Charlotte Harbour in Florida.

Locals front row seats for Marina Challenge Yacht Race

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:46:29 +10

Residents of The Marina Hindmarsh Island will have premium seats for the inaugural Marina Challenge yacht race tomorrow, Saturday, in which a fleet of 30 yachts will take to the marina’s lagoons and waterways to compete.

Clarity on ETNZ/Luna Rossa collaboration agreement

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:13:39 +10

The Jury Decision in Case AC06, issued on 28 December 2011, has made it clear that Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) and Luna Rossa cannot proceed with all of their publicly announced plans without violating the Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup.

YCCS Virgin Gorda celebrates official opening

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:12:08 +10

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands: Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Virgin Gorda celebrated the official opening of its Clubhouse in the North Sound, British Virgin Islands on 3rd January. The occasion marked the completion and launch of the Caribbean location for YCCS which has its home base in Porto Cervo, Italy.

Clipper Race: Variable winds continue to challenge the fleet

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:04:50 +10

A mixed day of sailing has been had by the 10 international teams competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race in the last 24 hours, as they continue to battle with the varying weather conditions on their approach towards the restart gate.

Abu Dhabi double-header presents unique opportunity

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:11 +10

Double points are at stake this weekend as the five teams gathered in Abu Dhabi prepare for back-to-back scoring opportunities starting with Friday’s Etihad Airways In-Port Race.

Nick Rogers wins Prince Philip Cup for 11th time

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:56:25 +10

Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania member Nick Rogers today won the prestigious Prince Philip Cup Australasian championship for the classic International Dragon class for a remarkable 11th time; 10 times as a helmsman and one as a crewman – with a race to spare.

RYCT members sail to Nationals glory in two classes

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:52:21 +10

Two Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania members today sailed to victory in Australian championships, Rob Gough taking out the International Moth national title on Victoria’s Port Phillip, and Nick Rogers unbeatable in the Prince Philip Cup on the River Derwent.

Aussie Paralympic sailors hold their own at 2012 IFDS Worlds

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:30:32 +10

Australia’s leading Paralympic class sailors have hit the water at the 2012 IFDS World Championship in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Outteridge turns attention to new class with great results

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:28:01 +10

The Australian Sailing Team’s Nathan Outteridge has again shown his versatility and skill at the highest level, finishing second at the recent Australian A Class Championships.

Latest ISAF Match Race Rankings

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:59 +10

In the latest ISAF Match Race Rankings, Ian Williams (GBR) has moved to the top of the Open Match Race Rankings whilst Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) stays top of the Women’s Rankings and Nicky Souter is the topped ranked Australian skipper in No. 7.

Clipper Race: Choosing the less hazardous route to Singapore

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:47 +10

Derry-Londonderry continues to make steady progress towards Singapore on s southerly route as she maintains her lead, but in a cruel twist of fate, Gold Coast Australia’s surge to the number two spot after splitting from the rest of the fleet and heading north, has now worked against her in a slip to fifth place.

Volvo Ocean Race awards handed out in Abu Dhabi

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:33 +10

Puma Ocean Racing powered by Berg took the DHL Shore Crew Award for Leg 2 at the public prize giving ceremony on the main stage in the Destination Village on the Abu Dhabi waterfront.

Official statement regarding incident at Australian Youth Championships

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:21 +10

On Tuesday, 10 January, 2012, during the final race of the 2012 Australian Youth Championships, held at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, a collision occurred between the 29er of Tess Lloyd and Lewis Duncan and a Techno293 windsurfer.

Victorian teen in a coma after sailing accident

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:39:08 +10

A young Victorian sailor is in an induced coma after being knocked unconscious during a race.

Aussies figure in ISAF World Sailing Rankings

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:32:53 +10

The ISAF World Sailing Rankings for 11 January 2012 have been released and Australian sailors are at the top in the Laser and 470 Men’s and No. 2 in the 49er skiff.

Nick Craig speaks on on winning Yachtsman of the Year

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:11:56 +10

“Surprised, but delighted,” is how Nick Craig described his win at the annual YJA Pantaenius Yachtsman of the Year awards after the announcement was made at Trinity House, London on 10 January.

Wet and windy day for Dragons on the Derwent

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:08:52 +10

Rain came in blinding squalls and with it strong, gusty and chilly winds from widely varying points of the compass, but champion International Dragon skipper, Nick Rogers, was always in command and won Race 5 of the Prince Philip Cup on Hobart’s River Derwent today.

French Sailors selected for London 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:01:27 +10

The French team was the only one to qualify their country in all of the 10 Olympic disciplines for London 2012 during the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships and has named sailors for eight of the 10 disciplines for the Olympic Games.

NSW Maritime alert - dangerous surf conditions

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:45:50 +10

NSW Maritime has issued an alert following Bureau of Meteorology advice that ddangerous surf conditions are forecast to develop from Nowra, Illawarra Coast, to Point Danger, Byron Coast from tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.

Black Jack crew eyes line honours and record

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:43:35 +10

Black Jack, the Peter Harburg owned and Mark Bradford skippered maxi-chaser, is poised to aim for a fast course time in the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Surf to City Ocean race this weekend.

Clipper Race: Gold Coast Australia moves up to second

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:01:04 +10

In the last 24 hours new tactics have been applied in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race and while Derry-Londonderry is still leading the race, the Gold Coast Australia crew’s decision to take a more northerly route has jumped them up the leader board from sixth to second position.

Ben Ainslie launches America’s Cup campaign

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:58:19 +10

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie today announced the launch of a new team that will initially compete in the next edition of the America’s Cup World Series, along with plans to join ORACLE Racing for the defence of the 34th America’s Cup.

Clock ticks for Safran on alone time

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:55:50 +10

The clock is ticking faster and faster, as we move towards the start of the Vendée Globe, as the starting gun will be fired in Les Sables d’Olonne 10 months from now, marking the start of three months of being alone.

Winners declared at Australian Youth Championships

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:53:39 +10

The 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships has wrapped up at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with a number of classes going right down to the wire.

Volvo Ocean Race crews practice ahead of racing

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:51:11 +10

Excitement is building in Abu Dhabi ahead of three days of on water action when the Volvo Ocean Race fleet resume racing with the Abu Dhabi Pro-Am Race on January 12, followed by the Etihad Airways In-Port Race on January 13 and the start of the first stage of Leg 3 to Sanya, China on January 14.

Shield throws down challenge in Prince Philip Cup

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:46:21 +10

Hobart yachtsman Steven Shield today emerged as a serious contender for the Prince Philip Cup Australasian Championship in the International Dragon class, 30 years after he first won the prestigious trophy.

World champs book tickets to London Olympics

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:04:45 +10

In a year of sporting ups and downs, it was Australia’s sailors who provided a shining light at the end of 2011, taking an impressive three gold medals at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Clipper Race: Another day another leader

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:28:27 +10

Another day – another leader – in the last 24 hours the yachts in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race have moved even closer, with Derry-Londonderry the latest to take prime position and her crew could not be happier as they edge closer to their next pit stop in Singapore.

Camper crew makes plans to catch the leader

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:25:56 +10

Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand’s crew will go into this weekend’s Etihad Airways In-Port Race and Leg 3 start just eight points off the overall lead and poised to pounce on any opportunity to close the gap on race leader Team Telefónica, skippered by Spanish double Olympic medallist. Iker Martínez.

Big breeze brings out the best in Youth Championships sailors

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:15:32 +10

Day three of the 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championship greeted the 175 crews with the strongest conditions of the week so far, with the breeze getting up above 18 knots at times on Brisbane’s Moreton Bay.

Wrap up from the Gant Portsea Cup

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 12:01:19 +10

The GANT Portsea Cup, the Premier race of the season for Sorrento's renowned Couta Boat fleet, was supported by forty-nine entrants, from Sorrento and Queenscliff. The day commenced with breakfast in the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club's marquee, with the always entertaining MC Past President of Yachting Australia, Andrew Plympton interviewing notable guests and crew members.

Young Whitsunday Opti sailor aims high

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:57:56 +10

Eva Lorenz a young Whitsunday Sailing Club Optimist dinghy skipper will adopt a serious attitude to her sailing when she contests the Australian Championship on Brisbane’s Waterloo Bay later this month.

Clipper 11-12: Race 7 - Gold Coast to Singapore - Day 16

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:55:14 +10

Qingdao cannot afford to let their foot off the gas as another team joins with Geraldton Western Australia to put pressure on the leaders.

18ft Skiffs: Cordukes Clubhouse Trophy

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:09:10 +10

18ft Skiff Racing resumed on Sydney Harbour today when the Australian 18 Footers League conducted the Cordukes Clubhouse Trophy race over a 3-buoys North-East wind course.

Tasmania’s Nick Rogers all the way in Prince Philip Cup opening race

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:06:45 +10

Tasmanian yachtsman Nick Rogers, helming Karabos IX, today emphatically set his sights on breaking his own record for winning the most Prince Philip Cup Australasian championships for the International Dragon class.

Dutch crews first and second in International Yngling Worlds cliff hanger

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:04:29 +10

Only three points today separated the first three boats at the end of a magnificent regatta on Sydney Harbour to decide the 2012 World Championship for the International Yngling one-design keelboat class, with victory going to defending champion, Maarten Jamin, from The Netherlands.

Enter Now for your place in Mariner Boating Holidays draw

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:02:19 +10

With the close of entries extended until 5:00pm Sunday 15th January, you still have a chance to enter the Festival of Sails 2012.

Close at the top in Australian Youth Championships

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:57:29 +10

The on-water action has heated up on day two at the 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships, with tight battles throughout the fleets a feature of Sunday’s racing.

Down to the line for International Yngling World Championship

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:47:42 +10

Defending World champion Maarten Jamin from The Netherlands and Australian champion Michael Nash are equal on points going into tomorrow’s final two races of the International Yngling Open World Championships being conducted on Sydney Harbour by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

British pip Aussies for Fireball World title

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:43:34 +10

The final day of racing to decide the 2012 International Fireball World Champions could not have been scripted to be more tense or exciting. Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey of Great Britain went into the final day with a four point lead over arch rivals, Robin Inns and Joel Coultas of Australia. But there was another element to the equation in the form of a second discard after race nine was completed.

Racing underway at 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:39:37 +10

Tight racing throughout the fleets has highlighted day one of the 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

The 18s are back on Sydney Harbour this week

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:37:30 +10

Following a two weeks break for the Christmas-New Year holidays, the 18ft Skiffs return to their Sydney Harbour course tomorrow (8 January) when they contest the Cordukes Clubhouse Trophy race.

Old School and B52 win the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:35:31 +10

With a win in the final race today, the 20 nautical mile South Solitary Island race, RPAYC’s Mark Griffith’s Sydney 38 Old School has won the IRC division in the 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta on a count back from MHYC’s Rob Reynolds DK46 Exile.

Australia’s leading youth crews prepare for OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:31:05 +10

Racing gets underway at the 2012 OAMPS Insurance Brokers Australian Youth Championships on Saturday with 175 crews making the trip to Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Operation Tow Smart: Statewide boating campaign

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:29:13 +10

NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers will be out on State waters from Saturday 7 January until Sunday 15 January to promote towing and water-skiing safety.

Aurora Expeditions celebrates Mawson’s historic landing at Commonwealth Bay

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:27:12 +10

Expedition cruise company, Aurora Expeditions, continues to celebrate the centenary of Heroic Antarctica explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson, and the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition, with their second commemorative expedition on board the Akademik Shokalskiy attempting to reach Commonwealth Bay to celebrate Mawson’s arrival at ‘the home of the blizzard’ 100 years ago.

Down to the wire for both IRC Coffs Regatta & PHS Australian Championships tomorrow

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:17:19 +10

Mark Griffith’s Sydney 38 Old School took the boat of the day honours on day one of the two days of racing in Coffs Harbour of the Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta. With a second and a first he ended the day on three points whilst John McConaghy’s custom 47 Second Time Around took the PHS honours, also with a second and a first.

Entries already lodged for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:14:25 +10

In an unprecedented display of support, entries have already been lodged for this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week – eight months before the celebrated regatta begins on August 17!
And, as is almost always the case, it is the highly enthusiastic cruising sailors who are leading the way.

Local Melges 24 team Vitesse prepare for Australian Championships at Festival of Sails in Geelong.

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:10:58 +10

The fifth Melges 24 Australian Championships will be hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club at this years Festival of Sails 26 - 29 January 2012.

Nautor's Swan Australia Rally

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:07:47 +10

Nautor’s Swan Australia is hosting a Swan Rally at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on the afternoon of Friday 30th March, 2012.

Exile and Future Shock handicap winners in 2012 Pittwater to Coffs race

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:05:34 +10

Two DK46s representing the MHYC have dominated the IRC handicap spoils with a 1-2 finish whilst line honours winner Craig Ellis’ Elliot 57 ‘Future Shock’ crowned the PHS winner in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred and Coffs Harbour Yacht clubs.

Australian champion early leader in Yngling World Championships

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:02:43 +10

Consistency is the key to winning a world champion in a one-design class and it took Australian champion Michael Nash to the top of the leader board at the end of the opening day of the International Yngling World Championship on Sydney Harbour.

International Fireball World Championship: Snakes and Ladders on a shifty day

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:00:29 +10

After a night of thunderstorms the skies cleared and it was another warm day on the waters of Comet Bay in Mandurah for day three of the International Fireball World Championship. Two more races were completed in very shifty 10–15 knot E/SE offshore breezes. However when the wind gets into this Easterly sector the West Australian locals advise there will be big shifts! This was definitely the case resulting in some very tactical racing.

Final Day at Laser Nationals

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:56:00 +10

It was an exciting finish to the Radial Gold Fleet with two points separating the top three places. Tristan Brown won the national title ahead of Krystal Weir in second and fellow Western Australian Mark Spearman in third, after two races in extremely light, shifty conditions at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly.

Higgins wins Sharpie National Championship in Manly

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:54:22 +10

South Australian Malcolm Higgins and his crew on Blur have secured the title of Australian Champions in the Sharpie class again with one day of racing still to go.

Tasmanians dominate International Cadet Nationals

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:51:23 +10

Six young International Cadet class crews from Sandy Bay Sailing Club yesterday gave their off-the-beach club at Nutgrove Beach a great boost as the club prepares to host the Australian and World championships in under a year’s time.

Summer Boating Safety Reminder

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:49:13 +10

As summer heats up Parks Victoria is reminding recreational boat operators to stay safe on Port Phillip and Western Port this summer.

Victoire ends the year with Blue Water Pointscore victory

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:45:54 +10

Darryl Hodgkinson has capped of a stellar year in sailing by winning the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Blue Water Point Score (BWPS), following Victoire’s 17th overall and Division 3 win in the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart

Future Shock takes out line honours in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:42:14 +10

Craig Ellis’ Elliot 57 'Future Shock' has crossed the finish line shortly before 1am to take line honours in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race in a time of 35hrs 53mins 09 secs, eleven nautical miles in front of runner-up Bruce Absolon’s Volvo 60 ‘Spirit of the Maid’.

Day five of racing at the Laser National Championship in Manly

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:38:27 +10

The top three places in the Laser Standard are heating up at the Nationals after a shifty and unpredictable day on the water at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly. The wind from the south east was 8 to 12 knots shifting through 40 degrees.

Day three of racing at the Sharpie National Championship in Manly

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:34:14 +10

Blur has again had an impressive day with another first place at the 69th Sharpie National Championships on day three of racing. Conditions at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron were light and shifty with 8 to 14 knots from the south east.

Tasmanian victory near certain in International Cadets

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:31:30 +10

Two young crews from Hobart’s Sandy Bay Sailing Club tomorrow will duel for an overall victory in the International Cadet class Australian championships being sailed on Lake Macquarie, south of Newcastle, NSW. With six crews in the top 10 placings, Tasmania is certain to win the Tillet Trophy for State teams.

More retirees after a bumpy night at sea

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:28:15 +10

Five retirees on the first night and a quick detour for Richard Hudson’s ‘Pretty Woman’ to drop off an injured crew member into Newcastle provided the backdrop for an eventful and bumpy first night in the 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race.
With Nick Johnstone’s Lidguard 50 ‘Santana 3’ providing the first retirement for the race with a broken D shroud mid afternoon on day one, he was followed by William Hutchinson’s ‘Freya’ at around 1900hrs with Coffs debutante Brendan Lyons Carter 33 ‘Fast Forward’ and RPAYC’s Jim Bullough’s Catalina 42 ‘Stressfree’ following soon after. At around 2am Kerry Burke’s Northshore 370 ‘Mortgage Choice Rumba’ advised that they too were retiring due to an injury to one of their crew.

Right Royal time for eXtasea as she collects Sovereign Series and King of the Derwent

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:26:14 +10

Geelong yacht eXtasea has had a right royal time in racing to Tasmania this summer, clinching the Sovereign Series with a fine win in yesterday’s 2012 Jeanneau King of the Derwent in Hobart.

2 – 7 January 2012 – International Fireball World Championship: Brits and Aussies battle it out on the opening day

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:13:55 +10

The Fireball class enjoys its 50th anniversary this year and 65 boats from 7 countries took to the waters of Comet Bay in Mandurah, Western Australia for the opening day of the 2012 International Fireball Worlds. Two races were held under partly cloudy skies but ideal 10 – 16 knot breezes, building later in the afternoon with gusts to 18 knots.

Day four at Laser Nationals

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:06:57 +10

Tom Burton had another successful day, winning both races in the Laser full rig on day four of the Laser National Championships at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly. Conditions were lighter than previous days with 12 to 14 knots from the south.

Wild Oats XI steals the show, Vamp is King of the Derwent

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:03:43 +10

Super maxi Wild Oats XI stole the show on the River Derwent today with a spectacular exhibition of power sailing, but it was the Sydney yacht Vamp that won the King of the Derwent, decided on IRC corrected times.

Trophy presentation brings Rolex Sydney Hobart to a close

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:01:26 +10

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race came to a conclusion on January 1 at the Royal Club of Tasmania, where the Official Prize Giving took place.

Wild Oats, Lahana to contest Jeanneau King of the Derwent

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:57:58 +10

For the first time in its 33 year history, two super maxis will contest Hobart’s famous King of the Derwent, with Wild Oats XI and Lahana both entered for tomorrow’s always spectacular round-the-buoys race on the River Derwent.

45 yachts confirmed for start of 2012 Pittwater to Coffs Race tomorrow 2 January at 1pm

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:55:35 +10

A fleet of 45 yachts will start the 31st Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, the first offshore race of the New Year commencing at 1pm tomorrow with upwind conditions and a perfect day forecast for the start off Barrenjoey Headland.

Reviving the adventure of HMS Beagle and Darwin’s world-changing voyage

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:49:51 +10

180 years ago, one of the most significant sea voyages in history started under something of a cloud.

The ship had been due to sail on December 26th, but as one of its supernumerary passengers wrote: “A beautiful day, & an excellent one for sailing, - the opportunity has been lost owing to the drunkedness and absence of nearly the whole crew. - the ship has been all day in state of anarchy.”

29 – 31 December 2011 – Fireball International Week: Stunning conditions for final day of racing

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:46:07 +10

Mandurah delivered on the third and final day of racing of Fireball International Week incorporating the Australian Championships. Three races were completed in winds ranging from 13 – 20 knots and a bumpy sea in Comet Bay. The fleet of 65 boats from 8 countries headed out in partly cloudy conditions and a building sea breeze, accompanied by pods of inquisitive dolphins.

Day One of racing at the Sharpie National Championship in Manly

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:40:26 +10

Conditions on day one of racing were less trying than yesterday at the Sharpie National Championship at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly with 15 to 18knots of breeze from the south.

Day three in Laser Nationals sees changes in leader boards

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:37:26 +10

It has been a competitive third day of racing at the Laser Nationals with a leader change in three of the four fleets in the Laser class. Three races were run today after conditions at the Royal Yacht Squadron at Manly proved too difficult yesterday to get a second race in. Today’s conditions were excellent for Laser racing with a southerly blowing 15 to 18knots.

Day three in Laser Nationals sees changes in leader boards

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:37:04 +10

Young Sandy Bay sailors dominating International Cadet championships

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:26:47 +10

Young sailors from Sandy Bay Sailing Club are dominating overall results in the International Cadet Australian championships being sailed from the Belmont 16ft Skiff Sailing Club Lake Macquarie, NSW, with Charlie Connor and Ethan Galbraith, sailing Sirocco, heading the pointscore after six races.

Last Female skipper docks in her home port

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:23:53 +10

The skipper of Natelle Two, Hobart's Laura Roper, was glad to have the support of her father and brother as part of her crew in her first Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

All yachts expected in for New Year

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:21:06 +10

As Greg Zyner and Morgan Rogers, respectively the owners of the yachts Copernicus and Wave Sweeper, threw the mooring lines to Constitution Dock well-wishers between 6.50am and 7.50am this morning in Hobart, 12 yachts still remained at sea in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Rolex Sydney Hobart - “Nothing accidental” about Loki’s win

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:09:38 +10

It took Sydney-based Stephen Ainsworth 14 years to claim the elusive Tattersall’s Cup, and as he put it so succinctly, “it was a big box to tick”.

Commodores Garry Linacre (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) and Graham Taplin (Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania) and Rolex Australia general manager Patrick Boutellier presented the stunning silver trophy and Yacht-Master timepiece to Ainsworth and his crew aboard Loki in front of an appreciative crowd at Kings Pier marina this morning.

Rolex Sydney Hobart - Humour in the doldrums

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:02:40 +10

A windless night off the Tasmanian south-east coast destroyed all prospects of Roger Hickman’s Wild Rose reaching Hobart in time to displace Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki as the overall winner of the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

It also meant there had been only 17 finishers by 9am this morning. At sea, some turned to humour.

RolexSydney Hobart - Loki declared overall winner

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:59:59 +10

This morning at 8.40am Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki was declared the overall winner of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the race he has been trying to win for 13 years finally coming to fruition on his 14th try.

Ainsworth, who will hold the historic Tattersall’s Cup for the first time today, has had an amazing run with his Reichel/Pugh 63, Loki, culminating in the businessman being announced Ocean Racer of the Year (co-won with Geoff Boettcher, the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart winner). Loki’s navigator, Michael Bellingham, was crowned the Ocean Racing Navigator of the Year.

First Day of Racing at Laser Nationals

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:55:33 +10

Ashley Brunning won both full rig heats on the first day of racing at the Laser Nationals at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly.

The conditions on Waterloo Bay were choppy with a south easterly wind averaging 18 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25.