Yachting World March 2023

Consumer indexes are tricky concepts. The notion that you can track human behaviour through retail trends is complicated by the fact our buying habits are so capricious. Who would have predicted the extraordinary surge in sales of bread flour, stationary fitness bikes, or garden furniture during lockdown? Creating a consumer index for sailing would be challenging given how multi-faceted our sport is, but I heard an interesting observation from an exhibitor at the recent Boot Düsseldorf show. Their theory was that early season sales of key items – lifejackets, for example, maybe fenders, or waterproof trousers – were a good indication of levels of sailing activity for the coming year. The early signs for 2023 were very promising indeed. Now this optimism falls firmly under the heading of ‘anecdata’. It…

The Ker GTS43 Alegria Republic punching through the Bass Strait during the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race (see report on page 46). Owner/skipper Rodney Jones described conditions as ‘brutal’ with 40-knot winds and ‘cold, confused seas from every direction’, though having photogapher Carlo Borlenghi overhead in a helicopter was a highlight. They won Division 2 in ORCi and came 2nd in IRC. Dreamy days mid-ocean on the Bali 5.4 Oceano, enjoying some leisurely sailing under parasailor during last December’s ARC rally. See our report from its sister rally, the ARC+, on page 38 for cruisers’ Atlantic experiences. Photo by Mateusz Kubik/World Cruising Club…

Record entry for 50th Fastnet The Rolex Fastnet Race looks set for another record-breaking fleet for its 50th running in 2022. When entries opened on 11 January, 300 boats signed up within the first 10 minutes, and 400 in less than half an hour. ‘Pro’ classes including the Ultimes, IMOCA 60s, Class40s and more, can enter until April. The 2023 Fastnet starts on 22 July in Cowes, and finishes in Cherbourg. Who’d have thought that someone could invent a boat that made the VO65 feel like a palace? writes Andy Rice. Even Annie Lush, who broke her back in the last Volvo Ocean Race when she was firehosed by a wave of white water across the deck of the VO65 Team Brunel, wondered whether that brutal experience on deck might…

Safety warning for Spanish flares A safety warning has been issued after a Dutch sailor was killed while lighting a flare that had been bought in the Canary Islands ahead of the 2021 ARC. The flare exploded despite being lit correctly. The warning concerns parachute signal Red Rocket Parachute Flare L-35 made by the Pirolec brand, from batch 0525/2021 – 113, sold only in Spain. It’s recommended not to use signals from the batch and to replace them as soon as possible. Sunsail’s electric outboards As part of its drive for improved sustainability, yacht charter company Sunsail has upgraded the tenders for its ‘premier plus’ monohulls to electric outboard motors at the Agana, Dubrovnik and Lefkas bases for the 2023 season. Charterers trialled the electric outboard motors in Lefkas in…

The Cruising Club of America named the winers of its prestigious awards in January 2023, with Japanese ocean sailor Kenichi Horie and Golden Globe skipper Kirsten Neuschäfer among those receiving accolades. Kenichi Horie, Japan’s best known ocean sailor, was awarded the 2022 Blue Water Medal for his lifetime of ocean-crossing achievements. On his most recent voyage last year, he sailed solo from San Francisco to Nishinomiya, Japan, at the age of 83, in an 18ft yacht. Very few sailors can genuinely be called a national hero, but Horie truly is one. For six decades he has crossed the world’s oceans, always in very small vessels and often single-handed. He has circumnavigated three times: once westabout, once eastabout, and once longitudinally. Of these two have been solo, non-stop voyages, and his…

New RORC racing manager The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has announced the appointment of Steve Cole as its new racing manager, succeeding Chris Stone who will continue as a consultant to the race management team. RORC has also introduced a new race entry system, SailRaceHQ, which replaces the Sailgate system. All boats wishing to enter RORC races this year will need to register with SailRaceHQ. Sustainable rigging for Clipper The 11 yachts competing in the Clipper Round the World Race 2023-24 will be using innovative sustainable running rigging from Marlow Ropes. The lines are made from 73% recycled or sustainably manufactured materials, including a low-carbon footprint core, with rope covers and docklines made from recycled plastic bottles. The long-rumoured French team has finally been confirmed as the fifth Challenger…