Sail Southern

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GOOD NEWS, THE FOILS ARE LOUD AGAIN! - DAY 9 - NEW YORK VENDÉE

It's Day 9 of the solo race across the Atlantic and the wind has finally returned! Boris Herrmann can now fly towards the finish, will he manage to grab a podium position?

by Boris Herrmann

Day 9 // 6 June 2024 - 19:40 UTC

“Hello from Malizia - Seaexplorer! Yesterday, it felt great when I got the wind, when it finally kicked and the boat graually accelerated. And on flat water, I find it particularly nice to sail like that. I’m optimistic for the second place, my Adrena routers indicate that I have a comfortable margin ahead of the South Group. So I’m quite confident and that feels good! But having taken the North route means that I’m also quite isolated here. I’m the only boat in this area. I usually find that it is actually much nicer to have boats around. It was a bit difficult for me at the beginning when I needed to assume my choice, and the models were very uncertain then. Now, I have accepted the situation. I’m here, I’m doing my thing. And that’s it. So all good.

Full Article Here…

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Behind the Sails: The Making of the U.S. Sailing Multihull Championship

Organizing a US Sailing Championship is no small feat. It requires meticulous planning, seamless coordination, and an unwavering passion for sailing. This year, the US Multihull Championship, held at the Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club (DCYC) in Oak Point, Texas, showcased the combined efforts of Shiela Holmes, the Event Organizer, and John Nekus, the Committee Chair of the US Sailing Multihull Committee. Their dedication brought together 28 teams from across the country, including two from Puerto Rico, in a thrilling display of skill and camaraderie. The wind ranged from 5 to 25 knots, adding an extra layer of challenge and excitement throughout the weekend. 

  Shiela Holmes: Crafting a Championship 

Shiela Holmes, a seasoned sailor with decades of experience, spearheaded organization of the event at the Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club. Representing Hobie Cat Fleet 23, one of the oldest Hobie fleets in the US, Shiela brought a wealth of knowledge and a deep-rooted passion for the sport. Fleet 23, based on Lake Lewisville just north of Dallas, has been a hub for Hobie Cat enthusiasts for over 50 years, thanks to their free Hobie University learn-to-sail program. 

Full Article Here…

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Revitalizing Youth Sailing

Dear Inside The Laylines,

Thanks for the opportunity to follow up on the thoughtful “A Parent’s Perspective” article in last week’s newsletter. I’m sure the author’s concerns resonate with many parents of young racing sailors; it also points towards solutions and growth opportunities for US Sailing and the sport. As US Sailing’s Youth Racing Manager and a volunteer on the ILCA-North America Class Association executive committee, I am certainly someone who appreciates your points and is paying attention!

For context, over the last year, several important new staff hires have come on board at US Sailing, which makes this discussion all the more timely. Last fall, Phil Muller joined US Sailing as Youth Performance Manager to focus on the Under-19 age group sailing in the international “performance” youth classes (ILCA, i420, 29er, Nacra15, iQFOiL, Formula Kite), bringing a wealth of experience in skiffs, windsurfing, and all types of foiling. This spring, Rosie Chapman joined as ODP Manager to focus on Olympic class transitions and development for teenage and 20-something sailors after years of success coaching in the US, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. It’s worth noting that Rosie and Marcus Lynch, US Sailing’s High-Performance Director, are both products of the RYA’s very successful and well-organized system, which has similarities to the USODA program. What I’m most excited about is that these leaders are aligned and focused on their areas of responsibility, and momentum is building.

Full Report Here…

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A Good Ol' America's Cup LAN Party...Kinda - Multi-Team Simulator Competition

For many of the sailors in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup, their first taste of what to expect has been found on the team simulators that are dotted all over the globe. We have heard rumours of private races being taken “before breakfast” and “after dinner” between some of the antipodean teams whilst in the northern hemisphere unofficial leagues are forming.

However, over the past two days, America’s Cup Events invited all the available teams to come and compete in a more structured environment with virtual racing planned and laid on with  course setting from none other than Ray Davies, coach of Emirates Team New Zealand and Performance Engineer Elise Beavis  working with the tech guys to help insure it all ran efficiently on the night managing and recording races so that Chief Umpire of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, Richard Slater could remotely  review video after racing and advise on infringements and penalties. It’s been fast, furious and highly competitive and a real taster of what we can expect from the teams when the on-water racing starts in September and October 2024 in Barcelona.

Click here for full article…

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Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC75 || Yachting World

America's Cup designer, Thomas Tison of Thomas Tison Yacht Design & Engineering, speaks to Yachting World editor, Helen Fretter, about Alinghi Red Bull Racing's America's Cup boat. Could this be the team to win the world's oldest international sporting trophy later this year? View on Youtube

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All of the America's Cup Boat Launch Updates You've Missed...Or Haven't

Over the past couple of weeks the announcements of boat launches have been coming fast and furious from the syndicates. Here is our rundown of recent announcements and coverage in case you haven’t kept up:

RB3 REVEALED BEFORE DAWN || America’s Cup

Team NZ launch their 2024 America's Cup boat || nzherald.co.nz

MILESTONE DAY FOR THE AC75 NEXT GENERATION || America’s Cup

Team NZ launch their 2024 America's Cup boat || NZ Herald

TEAM NEW ZEALAND LAUNCH IGNITES INTRIGUE WITH AMERICA’S CUP RACING SET TO BE CLOSER || Stuff.co.nz

America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ launch Defender in torrential rain || Sail-World

AMERICA’S CUP: FINESSING TAIHORO IN AUCKLAND || Pressmare.it

America’s Cup: Team NZ head of design Dan Bernasconi takes AC75 stock as veils begin to lift || NZ Herald

TEAM NEW ZEALAND 'REALLY HAPPY' WITH AMERICA’S CUP BOAT TAIHORO - PETER BURLING || RNZ.co.nz

America’s Cup, watch out for Kiwis: Team New Zealand immediately touches 40 knots upwind in new AC 75 || giornaledellavela.com

TEAM NZ UNVEILS NAME OF BOAT TO DEFEND AMERICA’S CUP || 1News.co.nz

Team NZ launch boat for America's Cup || RNZ.co.nz

AMERICA’S CUP: SWISS LAUNCH A BEAUTY OF DETAIL || Pressmare.it

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Youth Movement for Quantum Racing || Scuttlebutt Sailing News

The most successful TP52 team in the history of the 52 SUPER SERIES has a new look for the 2024 season as Victor Diaz De Leon has been appointed Quantum Racing skipper to lead a youth movement for the 5-event schedule.

Continuing the initiative launched last year by team owner Doug De Vos to provide younger sailors with experience and learning at the highest level of grand prix racing, four new athletes will also join Diaz de Leon.

Among the new talent will be the circuit’s first female navigator, Evelyn Hull. The other new team members getting ready for the season to start are Nevin Snow who will be strategist, Ian Liberty trimmer and Alex Sinclair mid bow.

The selected new athletes have already been put through their paces during a tuning and training week on the Bay of Palma last month when the team worked alongside Tony Langley’s new Gladiator, which was previously Alegre.

Full Article Here…

Pressmare.it’s Perspective…

LiveSailDie’s Coverage…

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The Ocean Race and IOC/UNESCO: contributing towards the science we need for the ocean we want || The Ocean Race

In the lead up to the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, The Ocean Race - the round-the-world race often described as the toughest test of a team in sport and now an ongoing platform for making a meaningful difference to ocean health - today shared the impact of the data collected by teams and sailors through the race’s science on board programme. This vital data is shared with scientists striving to understand the complexities of the ocean and improving climate and ocean science and helping to inform policy and meteorological reports.

The Ocean Race team brought the spirit of ocean racing to over 100 participants in a satellite event co-organised with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), the only UN body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services. The event gathered representatives from the world of science, research, sailing and policy at the Barcelona Maritime Museum and included panels entitled: 'Offshore Racing and Science' and 'Understanding our Ocean'.

Full Article Here…

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Olympic Flame Set for Transatlantic Journey || France 24

Four celebrity names were revealed in France this Monday as the team to sail across the Atlantic, bringing the Olympic flame from Brest, Brittany, to Pointe-à-Pitre in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe as part of its journey ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. #Paris #Olympics #Games

Video Link

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Gamers welcome at 37th America’s Cup || Scuttlebutt Sailing News

The America’s Cup yachting event is taking a leap into the virtual world with the launch of its official simulation video game, AC Sailing, along with its first-ever e-sports world championship, America’s Cup E-series.

AC Sailing is developed from the same physics engine used in the simulators that America’s Cup teams train with to enhance racing tactics and recreate race scenarios, as well as develop and test design ideas and iterations for their race yachts. The game is the culmination of over 10 years of research and development by Emirates Team New Zealand

By making it available, the event seeks heighten public engagement with the oldest trophy in international sports.

“Gamers will get to experience America’s Cup sailing as close to reality as possible like never before,” said Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Event. “We’re thrilled to bring this innovation legacy into the virtual world, elevating the role of sailing within the e-sports ecosystem.”

Full Article Here…

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Wanderers of the Wayfarer Dinghy || Sailing World

Classic one-design classes like the Wayfarer dinghy live on through the strength of their communities and their lifelong connections.

By James Heffernan

April 9, 2024

The author and his son, Paul, enjoy their time together sailing the waterways of North Carolina on the family’s Wayfarer dinghy. Lori George

While in pre-flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, I had a classmate with sailing expertise that he’d gained at the US Naval Academy. He was always happy to share his passion for sailing with our cadet class, whether leading a hands-on lesson in a Penguin dinghy or aboard a Luders 44 wooden yawl. It didn’t take me long to be as hooked as a sailor as I was an aviator.

Upon returning to Michigan after serving in the Navy for many years, I found myself searching for a suitable sailing dinghy—something simple yet familiar. My search led me to a used wooden 16-foot Wayfarer dinghy, originally built from a kit. At the time, I was simply buying a boat, never thinking that I was also buying a lifetime of memories and friends. The dealer who sold me the boat promptly put me in touch with the local Wayfarer fleet, which welcomed my family of five. We soon joined this fun-loving group of sailors for their races, cruises and, of course, regular social gatherings in Michigan and Ontario. The events were usually held at state or local parks with water access and camping facilities. While my sailing partner and I raced, someone from the fleet family watched over our young ­minnows as they played with others left ashore.

Full Article Here…

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2nd Cascais Melges 15 Winter Series at Clube Naval de Cascais || Sail-World

Portuguese locals Diogo Pereira and Tomas Barreto take the second and final Cascais Melges 15 Winter series.

After 5 bullets and a 6th place on the six races that took place on the two first days Diogo Pereira and Tomas Barreto sailed comfortably for a 2nd and a 5th on the two races that took place on the last day to secure victory at the second and final Cascais M15 Winter Series.

Diogo and Tomas were superior through the whole event and their results show. Despite having sailed the Melges 15 for the first time one day before the event, Their experience in both 420 and 49ers definitely helped and good starts and good boat speed were key to their win.

Henrique Brites and Luis Pinheiro did what they could and were improving along the championship (4, 3,3,3,2,2,1,2) but a not so strong start to the event weighted at the end. They finished second trailing the leaders by four points. Vasco Serpa and Pedro Garcia closed the podium (DNS, 4, 6,4,1,4,4,1) beating the brothers Antonio and Joao Matos Rosa by two points. 5th place was for Keiran Searle and Declan Mcgranahan, winners of the second Florida Winter Series in the US.

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Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point - Day 1 || Sail-World

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and today was no exception on Charleston Harbor where 16 classes proved that the smart tactic no matter the weather was to put your best sail up, keep moving forward, and have as much fun as possible. Racing was tight as sailors pushed each other across the fleet; in the Melges 20 class 3 teams tied for second, and a 4-way tie in the J88 fleet ensures that all bets are off for Saturday's racing.

PRO Taran Teague noted, "When we came out this morning, we knew it was going to be a tough day due to lighter air building after 11am but we didn't know quite when. It was going to be coming from the west and was anticipated to back to the south, south-west for a sea breeze. We were looking for puffy clouds to indicate backing of the wind, the sunshine and land heating but it was delayed because we had too many clouds." Nonetheless, most classes got at least two races in and a shipload of smiling faces at the post racing party on the USS Yorktown told today's real story.

Full Article Here…

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J/22 District 5 - Southwest Circuit Update - Shreveport POSTPONED

Due to dock damage sustained during recent flooding Shreveport Yacht Club has canceled the upcoming J/22 circuit regatta (April 20-21) . As we learn details of a potential reschedule, replacement, or confirmation of full cancelation we will let you know.

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J/22 District 5 April Update - Upcoming Circuit Stop in Shreveport!

Those of you on the J/22 District 5 rolls and email list will have received this recent message from 2024 District Governor, Colin Feik. Here’s a great recap of recent district happenings and a reminder: Crew get your skippers and skippers get your crew and get yourself on your way to Shreveport Yacht Club for the next District 5 Circuit stop.

Hello District 5 J/22 Sailors - First off, I want to thank Eric Simonson for doing an awesome job as district governor the past few years, I am quickly learning just how much time and effort he has put back into the sport with his leadership the past few years, I know we are all very grateful!

Second - recap of the season so far: The season is well underway with the first circuit stop completed in Dallas at Rush Creek Yacht Club in early March. The local boats dominated with a 1-2-3 finish led by Jeff Progelhof winning 5 of the 6 races, followed by a solid showing from Bill Draheim in 2nd, and Jake Scott dusted off his boat to round out the podium in 3rd! Conditions were nice and warm and breezy, hopefully we can mimic those conditions next year when midwinters will be held at Rush Creek. A couple weeks ago the midwinters were held in New Orleans with 27 boats on the line with 7 boats from our district making the trip over to the Big Easy. Glenn Darden hails from FWBC and took home the hardware winning the event on a tiebreaker. They won the final race by passing fellow District 5 member Kevin Orff on the final leg of the regatta race to secure the overall victory. Congrats to Kevin and crew on finishing second in that race, now they will have to go to worlds in Annapolis to continue putting up those single digit finishes at big events! Pics on the class page on facebook!

Next Up: Circuit Stop - Shreveport The next circuit stop is scheduled for April 20-21 at Shreveport Yacht Club on Cross Lake (link below to register and NOR also attached). 6 local Shreveport boats have already registered, so we should have a really great event. SYC's hospitality and steak dinner is second to none! In the past a few lucky sailors have even been allowed to stay at the SYC club, contact Tom Hadel ([email protected]) to inquire.

J/22 Southwest Circuit Regatta - Shreveport, LA. : J/22 Southwest District (regattanetwork.com)

Other Circuit Updates:

The 3rd circuit stop originally scheduled for Austin Yacht Club in May will not be possible due to low water levels, so the Shoe Regatta at LYC in Houston will be the replacement event May 18-19. J/22 Southwest Circuit - Shoe Regatta

Due to a conflict with J/24 worlds, the J-Fest Southwest event has been pushed from its original date in October to the first weekend of November (2-3rd)

Make plans to attend the World Championships in Annapolis in October (21st thru 27th), start banking that PTO now! I hope to see a lot of y'all there!

More details about the District and the circuit can be found on the District's website: http://www.j22southwest.org/

Become a class member or renew here!!

https://www.j22.com/class-office/join-the-class/

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Is There a Doctor Aboard? || Cruising World

If you’re preparing for a visit to the Caribbean, or any offshore haul, it’s important to know your medical options—and have a plan.

By David H. Lyman

March 21, 2024

When sailing in remote areas, clear communication is essential for requesting crucial medical assistance. Erwin Barbé/stock.adobe.com

An incident last fall got me thinking. A yacht on its way from the East Coast to the Caribbean had a crew member fall ill. The cause was unknown to those on board. They called the rally’s shoreside support team from their Sat phone, but the team was unable and unqualified to deal with that specific medical situation. The crew member died. 

With more and more older folks taking to sea on small boats, many on extended offshore voyages far from medical facilities, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have some means for accessing medical advice? A cell phone with WiFi access, Single Sideband (SSB), a smartphone or even a texting device like the Garmin InReach makes this possible. Still, a question remains: Which provider should you use?

Full Article Here…

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Adrian Morgan: Nautical Terminology, Ropes and Social Media || Classic Boat

Adrian Morgan treats us to his monthly column, a reflection on the world of social media, ropes jargon and nautical terminology.

Sailing and Social Media Misinformation

You may have noticed how every large, old, possibly wooden, gaff-rigged (maybe) sailing yacht is now a J Class, judging by the reactions on social media to a splendid photo of any large, old, possibly wooden yacht. Why do we go there? It only makes us angry! Invariably after the first, wearisome, predictable exclamation of “Awesome!”, you will be forced to endure posts from those who claim the photo is “definitely a J Class”. 

Full Article Here…