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EVENTS | NEWS | TALES FROM THE SAILING COMMUNITY
SailGP finale is a thriller
Tom Slingsby’s Australia SailGP Team won the $1m prize in the season’s grand final amid great drama on San Francisco Bay.
It was the second overall victory for Slingsby and his team, who were the innaugural SailGP winners in the series’ first season.
The Great Britain SailGP team, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, were second at the action-packed San Francisco event and finished the season fourth overall, after a high-speed collision at an earlier event put them down the rankings.
Sir Ben’s team won $35,000 for coming second in the SailGP Impact League, which “rewards positive actions” in sustainable travel, tech, single-use plastic and communications.
But it was the Australians’ day, Slingsby’s team prevailing over rivals Nathan Outteridge’s Japan and Jimmy Spithill’s United States.
In di cult conditions and unpredictable racing, rookie Spanish driver Jordi Xammar crashed into Spithill’s F50 and tore a hole in the back of the USA catamaran. This required the US team to undertake frantic on-water repairs to get ready for the grand final and ended Spain’s racing.
In the next race, France and New Zealand collided – resulting in four penalty points for Peter Burling and crew, despite being the right of way boat – as Australia prevailed to win the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix ahead of Great Britain and Japan.
The championship’s grand final then started, with the US taking an early lead, only for the action to be abandoned for 15 minutes after a whale was sighted on the course.
In the re-started race, Australia dominated, managing to find better pressure and opening up an early lead in increasingly di cult conditions and patchy wind.
After collecting the trophy and the $1m team prize, Slingsby said: “More important than the money is that Australia came out on top and we can call ourselves the best in the world.
“Money comes and goes and glory lasts forever. I know that’s a saying, but we really feel it right now.”
Spithill said: “The Aussies have been the benchmark team all season and to do it back to back is very impressive – they deserve the win.”
Sir Ben Ainslie said: “It was a random day with that unusual southerly breeze coming o the city and leading to absolute carnage on the water, which I’m sure was entertaining to watch.
“We had a particularly full-on incident in race two. Coming down the run at around 80kmh on starboard tack to the Kiwis and French, we were inches from a big collison, a heart in mouth moment we won’t forget for a long time.
“Congratulations to Tom [Slingsby] and his team on a great series. They certainly earned their win. For us it was great to finish on a high note with a second for the event and fourth overall, with lots of positives to take to Bermuda.”
SailGP’s third season kicks o with the Bermuda grand prix, presented by Hamilton Princess, on May 14 and 15, with an enlarged fleet of 10 teams, now including Switzerland and Canada.
Events are confirmed in Chicago, the UK event in Plymouth (30-31 July), Copenhagen, Saint-Tropez, Cádiz-Andalucía, Dubai, Christchurch and the final again in San Francisco. More destinations are still to be announced.
Meanwhile Hattie Rogers from Lymington beat the world’s best WASZP sailors in San Francisco to take a superb victory in the SailGP Inspire WASZP Grand Final, the culmination of season two’s Inspire Racing x WASZP series.
SailGP Season 2 final standings
1 Australia 2 Japan 3 United States 4 Great Britain 5 New Zealand 6 Denmark 7 Spain 8 France
Impact League Leaderboard
1 New Zealand 1246 pts 2 Great Britain 1192 pts 3 Australia 1161 pts 4 Spain 1094 pts 5 France 1081 pts 6 Japan 1048 pts 7 United States 1024 pts 8 Denmark 967 pts
Ocean Shipyard Ltd building new Southerly 42 in Southampton
Ocean Shipyard Limited is up and running in Marchwood, Southampton, having taken over the site of the Discovery Shipyard, which closed its doors in December last year.
Led by Steve Edwards, the Discovery Shipyard’s former general manager, Ocean Shipyard Limited will be building Southerly yachts and Bluewater Catamarans.
Three models are in build – two Southerly 48s and the first ever Southerly 42 – and many of the former Discovery Shipyard team have been employed. The yard is o ering refits and fit-out for yachts and motorboats up to 60ft, while its onsite joinery facilities will also be taking on work outside the marine industry.
The Discovery 48S was voted the Bluewater Cruiser of the Year in ourBritish Yachting Awards in December, just weeks before the shocking news was announced that funding for the shipyard had been withdrawn and liquidators were called in. The company’s 77 employees were made redundant at the time. With backing secured for the Bluewater Catamaran and Southerly brands, the new company is building three of the boats that were part-finished, with the customers having signed new contracts with Ocean Shipyard Ltd. Target launch for the Southerly 42 is next spring.
Steve said: “It is fair to say we have been overwhelmed by the amazing support from all stakeholders, the sta , existing build clients, our build clients and the wider industry for our services. We are confident that the yard has a great future.” oceanshipyardlimited.com
James Harayda for Vendée Globe
Young British skipper James Harayda has announced he aims to compete in the Vendée Globe 2024 and wants to win the event in 2028.
Harayda became known last season as Dee Ca ari’s co-skipper in the UK double-handed o shore series and he will be competing in the Vendée Globe as part of Gentoo Sailing Team, set up in 2020 when he and Ca ari teamed up.
Harayda said: “The race has always been the ultimate challenge and an event I have always wanted to conquer. It’s the ultimate test of human endurance. On top of this, the Vendée Globe is so much more than just showing up and competing.
“The journey to the start line is considered one of the hardest parts of the race – the funding required, racing calendar, preparation needed, technical know-how, and just the sheer scale of the project cannot be underestimated. For me, this race is about achieving something that very few people ever have. Less people have done this than been into space or climbed to the top of Everest. It is also about using this platform to show the world that being sustainable, in all uses of the word, does not come at a cost to performance.Our aim as a team is build our skills, knowledge, and partnerships through 2024 with an aim to win the Vendée Globe in 2028, making me the youngest and first Brit to do so. I have a fantastic team around me which will be growing as we progress and I am confident that given the right resources, we can win this race in 2028.” Ca ari, a veteran of the race, said: “The Vendée Globe takes talent and ability as well as resilience and tenacity. Having sailed with James for the last 18 months I have seen these qualities in him.” Gentoo Sailing Team has also created a youth development programme. Ten boys and ten girls aged 16-23 from di erent backgrounds were selected to join the programme, which aims to create pathways for them to progress in sailing. The young sailors will benefit from mentoring, coaching, technical workshops and o shore racing in the 2022 JOG and RORC seasons.
NEWS BRIEFS
easyBoat.com The founder of easyJet has launched easyBoat.com, a new price comparison website for yacht charter. Sir Stelios Hatjiioannou said: “As a keen yachtsman and fair-weather sailor myself I have no hesitation in recommending a holiday at sea with the privacy and independence of your very own yacht for the week!”
Round the Island Race entry Entries are flooding in for the Round the Island Race on Saturday 25 June. The Island Sailing Club reports a high level of interest for the annual circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight, which thousands of sailors enjoy each year. roundtheisland.org.uk
Helly supports RNLI Helly Hansen announced the continuation of its support of the RNLI’s Mayday campaign by donating 50% of all UK online sales during May to the charity, as it has done since 2018.
Keeping up Emirates Team New Zealand launched a prototype, hydrogen-powered, foiling chase boat in Auckland, designed for the current crop of 50-knot America’s Cup boats and a drive towards a more sustainable regatta.
Beacon day April 6 marked the tenth annual 406Day, aiming to raise awareness of the benefit of using 406 MHz emergency locator beacons for sailors.
Troon gets five Gold Anchors After a recent £1.5million upgrade, Troon Yacht Haven has been awarded the coveted 5 Gold Anchors award from The Yacht Harbour Association. An independent assessor reviewed facilities, procedures, and customer feedback at the Ayrshire marina.
Albin Ballad party The UK Ballad Association is organising 50th anniversary celebrations of the Albin Ballad, from 10-13 June in Fowey, Cornwall. All current and previous Ballad owners are invited. ukballadassociation.org
Speed record bid
A team aiming to break the world speed sailing record and hit a target of 150kmh, roughly 80 knots, has unveiled the boat they’re building.
Team Syroco will be using kite-surfing and foiling technology to smash the existing record of 65 knots (121kmh), set by Paul Larsen and Vestas Sailrocket 2 in 2012 in Namibia.
Syroco is being led by Alex Caizergues, holder of the kitesurf speed record of 54 knots, who will pilot the boat with Benoît Gaudiot, a fellow kite-surfer who won Weymouth Speed Week in 2014. The international team comprises scientists, engineers and builders. The structure is being built at Persico Marine and is scheduled for launch later this year. The record attempt will be made o the south of France.
Project manager Mayeul van den Broek said: “Since the initial concept our design has significantly evolved. It has been optimised to generate as little drag as possible in the air and the water.”
Team member Xavier Lepercq said: “Our boat is 10m long and 7m wide. From the beginning our philosophy has been to build an extremely stable boat, so we quite naturally decided to design a boat that doesn’t fly. The boat has three contact points with the water, the main hull and two side floats. At the rear, the power module constantly aligns the kite’s ascending force, which pulls the boat up, with the foil’s force, which pulls the boat down. We are also developing a kite that is more powerful than a conventional rig.” syro.co
The Royal Cork Yacht Club is seeing a big turnout for the return of its Volvo Cork Week regatta which will take place on Cork Harbour from 11-15 July.
The renowned biennial regatta, first held in 1978, this year incorporates the Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Championships, 1720 European Championships, the Beaufort Cup, the Southern championships for the International Dragon Class and an SB20 International Grand Slam curtain raiser.
All qualifying boats entered in Volvo Cork Week 2022 will automatically be entered into the ICRA National Championships, “the pinnacle of the Irish cruiser racing calendar”.
The 2022 event is the first after two years of cancellations, including the intended 300th anniversary celebrations of the club in 2020. The Royal Cork Yachth Club was founded in 1720.
Volvo Cork Week co-chairperson Ross Deasy said: “Having missed out in 2020, there is huge pent-up excitement about this event and we promise great fun both on and o the water. This event has been over 300 years in the making, no sailor should miss it.” corkweek.ie
Return of Volvo Cork Week Cowes Classics Week
Entries have opened for Cowes Classics Week 2022, with racing from 27 June to 1 July.
Entries are anticipated from multiple dayboat fleets including Dragons, Swallows, Solent Sunbeams, Loch Long ODs, XODs, BODs, Squibs, Flying Fifteens and many more, together with Metre boats, old ga ers and cruiser/ racers such as Folkboats, Contessas, SCODs, Twisters and Nicholsons also on the water.
The regatta – billed as the “world’s biggest classic yacht regatta of its kind” – takes place right after the Island Sailing Club’s Round the Island Race. On Sunday 26 June, around 60 classic cars and classic boats will assemble on the Parade and the Trinity Landing for the second edition of Cowes Classics Day. cowesclassicsweek.org
Ranger wins J-Class show at Saint Barth’s
An enthusiastic owner new to racing under sail and a crew of experienced sailors at their first J-Class regatta together proved a winning combination as Ranger clinched the Saint Barth’s Bucket J-Class title in March.
Under America’s Cup-winning skipper Ed Baird, Ranger finished one point clear of Hanuman and Velsheda after four races at the French Caribbean island’s annual superyacht regatta.
Ranger was built of steel in Denmark from 2002-3 as the first of the ‘replica’ Js, constructed to the original Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens lines of Harold Vanderbilt’s ‘Super J’ which won the 1937 America’s Cup 4-0 against Endeavour 2.
At 28.6m Ranger is the longest on the waterline of the trio racing at St Barths, compared to 27.7m for Velsheda and 26.8m for Hanuman, and even after losing six tonnes in a recent refit is the heaviest at 196 tonnes, compared to Velsheda’s 180 and 172 tonnes for Hanuman.
John Kostecki is Ranger’s tactician, supported by Jordi Calafat and Jules Salter, a unit that can boast two recent TP52 world titles. Recent updates to the boat included improvements to the hydraulics to give more winch power, as well as better weight distribution, aiming to move weight forward “as Ranger has always sat stern down”.
Hanuman’s skipper Ken Read said: “Getting these boats around the race course on a light airs day isn’t easy and so I am very proud of the team, especially how we were doing in today’s conditions.”
The next J-Class regatta will be the Palma Superyacht Cup in Mallorca, 29 June to 2 July, followed by the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, 4-10 September.
Les Powles, 1925-2022
Les Powles, who died earlier this year, was one of those eccentric corinthian Brits who was content in his own company and never understood the public admiration or fuss he received for sailing solo around the world three times during the 1970s and 1980s, writes Barry Pickthall.
A land-based engineer from Liverpool, Powles began to crave the freedom of the seas during the early 1970s and spent his £7,000 life savings self-building his 34ft Bruce Roberts designed yacht Solitaire. Somewhat recklessly, he set out to cross the Atlantic in 1975 with only eight hours’ sailing experience. He was heading for the Caribbean on the fi rst stage of an around the world cruise, but poor navigation led him to land in Brazil. “I didn’t have GPS in those days,” he lamented. “There is no excuse now for getting it so wrong.”
Les also recalled some of the scariest moments, including a week of storms: “There were times when I was aware the waves could kill me. I had no control; I just had to hope we wouldn’t roll over.”
Sailing always on a shoestring budget, he set out on his fi rst non-stop circumnavigation without a radio transmitter and did not speak to another person for 329 days. Towards the end of his second, non-stop voyage in 1980-81, Les struggled with hunger and survived only on rainwater, a few spoons of rice and a third of a tin of mince per day. At the end, he was down to eating just rice mixed with curry powder, which he called “a horrible recipe”!
On his third, eight-year voyage, in the late 1980s, he was given up for dead, but surprised everyone when he returned to Lymington four months after setting sail from New Zealand. He had lost fi ve stone and hardly had the strength to lift the sail. For this extraordinary feat, Powles won the British Yachtsman of the Year award.
Lymington Yacht Haven, on England’s south coast, gave him a free berth for life and until very recently he was still living aboard Solitaire.
Following the publication of his book, Solitaire Spirit, published by Bloomsbury, telling his life story and circumnavigations, he received letters from all over the world congratulating him for his unpretentious pioneering spirit and the inspiration he provided.
Position: Notifi cation of intent
An essential stage in your post-capsize playbook
© Sailing Energy / Princesa Sofía Mallorca When the inevitable capsize happens, it’s important to signal to opposing crews what your intention is. Here, the sailor still upright is taking a moment to indicate clearly to the fl eet fast disappearing towards the next mark: “We’re okay, we’re going to get this boat turned the right side up and then we’re coming to kick your ****.” This notifi cation is not strictly part of the Racing Rules of Sailing, but is now taught by leading coaches as a vital stage in the post-capsize playbook. Countering the sniggers from those who glance back at your misfortune, by shooting them a look while utilising the universally understood gesture demonstrated well here, does much to restore one’s own self-esteem and may just unnerve those ahead enough to make them wobble at the next mark. (Warning: do not use in club racing, where such gestures are met only with hilarity.)
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Safety at thrilling speeds
The SailGP finale made for exciting viewing, but do collisions at high speed warrant safety measures?
SailGP commentator Freddie Carr voiced the thoughts of millions of viewers during the San Francisco grand prix in March when the
Spanish boat appeared to ride up onto the side of the USA boat, with helm Jimmy Spithill and crew just inches from the Spanish hull.
“Hopefully everyone’s okay,” said
Carr. Phew! It turned out they were.
Sailboats coming together is never pretty, whatever the circumstances.
A cross at six knots in a club regatta can be a heart-in-mouth moment.
On SailGP’s supercharged foilers, pressing hard at up to 50 knots, the consequences of a serious collision don’t have to be explained.
SailGP, let’s be clear, is a great thing.
In terms of exposure and giving the excitement of sail racing a global media platform, SailGP is the best thing to happen to the sport ever. We’re lucky to have it and we’re hoping the teams gain the necessary financial self-su ciency for the whole show to go on beyond Larry Ellison’s extraordinary five-year gift.
In terms of media coverage, SailGP has given sail racing more airtime and column inches than anything else in the sport’s history. Perhaps the San Francisco America’s Cup, the famous
Oracle comeback, might beat it for primetime exposure, but that was a one-o . SailGP is getting sustained viewers and it is building up precisely the kind of loyal audience that Ellison and
SailGP CEO Russell Coutts hoped for.
It would be horribly ironic, then, if at what is sailing’s greatest moment of exposure, it su ers a serious accident.
But what can be done? Next season, its third, kicking o in
Bermuda in May, sees two more teams on the water, bringing the fleet to 10, and the competition will be fiercer than ever.
Formula 1 has been through the safety discussion many times and perhaps among the many comparisons between top flight sail racing and car racing, this is one area where sailing could learn.
F1 cars (and also now F2, F3 and Formula E) have a ‘halo’ around the cockpit, protecting the driver’s head in the event of a collision.
This curved bar was a controversial development when first introduced in 2018, but it is now thought to have saved the lives of several drivers. Lewis Hamilton, after a collision with Max
Verstappen at Monza last year, said: “Honestly, I feel very, very fortunate. Thank God for the halo. That ultimately saved me. And saved my neck.”
A frame around a sailing cockpit is not quite the same. Most obviously, it could hinder escape in a capsize.
Additionally, an F1 driver does not and cannot move, whereas
SailGP athletes are able to move out of the way of a looming hull, if they see it in time. And indeed they have to move, sprinting from hull to hull across the catamarans’ decks between tacks. To hinder their movement with a frame around the cockpit would be a safety issue in itself. A nautical halo would have to be designed accordingly. SailGP insiders speak highly of the series’ dedication to “F1 cars have a ‘halo’ around the ensuring athlete safety. The cockpit to protect the driver organisation has its own safety committee, made up of o cials in an impact” and sailors, who are no doubt discussing these and other measures. They will know that safety measures do not dampen competition and they do not lessen the excitement. They will also know, as foiling sailors, the story of the Nacra 17 class. The Nacra 17 is the foiling catamaran in which John Gimson and Anna Burnet won silver at the Tokyo Olympics. At Tokyo we didn’t see too many Nacra thrills and spills, mainly because we were watching the world’s best sailors. But in its early days, the Nacra 17 saw a small number of accidents, as sailors learned how to handle it, including a USA helm “partially” losing three fingers in a capsize. The class has now redesigned some elements of the boat and the first competition with the new kit was the Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma in April. The tweaks include the rear foiling ‘elevator’ being less sharp and its attaching ‘torpedo’ also being made blunter, to avoid cutting a sailor in the water. The rudder rake can now be adjusted on the fly, instead of only ashore between races, so sailors can adjust it for more lift upwind and less downwind, to avoid potential loss of rudder control. There is also a spring within the system so that any collision with a sailor in the water will be softened. What the Nacra 17 class found was that while it was busy introducing these measures, the sailors got better at sailing the boats. Incidents decreased. Perhaps that will happen with SailGP’s F50s and the number of collisions will decrease. But regardless of skill levels, the Nacra 17 changes were deemed worthwhile – and so it would be with any class. It’s up to the sailors and SailGP’s safety committee to keep ahead of the game, to keep ahead of the F50s’ increasing capabilities, with safety measures that protect those taking part, so that this incredible show can continue in the manner it deserves to.
