Yachts & Yachting magazine December 2019
Since 1947 Yachts & Yachting has been famed for its excellent coverage of all aspects of racing, from local dinghy and keelboat events to the heights of the Olympic Games, America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. As well as the top end events, each issue is full of vital information, including technique and tips from some of the best coaches in the sport, interviews and profiles, kit and equipment guides, as well as tests of the latest new boats.
in this issue
designs on the future
Yacht design took a radical step forward this past month as four America’s Cup teams launched and promptly took flight on their home waters. The 75ft foiling monohulls have been designed with as much aircraft design as naval architecture, given that the aim in 2021 will be to have the hull touch the water as little as possible. It has had its critics, but the AC75 Rule has certainly pushed the boundaries. Would you fancy a ride on one? I was more than sympathetic with Jim Radcliffe, who didn’t exactly jump at the chance when it was suggested at the Ineos launch that he take the 12th man spot. A couple of days later, I was lucky enough to have lunch with Halsey Herreshoff, whose grandfather Nat was responsible for one…
sixth endeavour win for ben saxton and toby lewis – and fifth in a row
Olympic hopeful Ben Saxton and crew Toby Lewis fought back in breezy conditions on the second day of the Endeavour Trophy, clinching their sixth win overall. It was the duo’s fifth Endeavour victory in a row. They snatched the title by just two points from James Peters and Maddy Anderson. “It was wicked fun out there and we sailed really well,” said a delighted Saxton, who is hoping to be chosen with Nikki Boniface for the Nacra 17 at the Tokyo Olympics next summer. “Given our results from day one, our strategy was to be low risk on the startline, then sail well and pick up places on the way round.” He attributed success to the expertise of his crew: “Toby’s level of sailing is just unbelievable. Going up the first beat…
close finish for mini transat first leg
Crossing the finish line in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at 0430 UTC, Ambrogio Beccaria took the win in the first leg of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère, after 8 days and 19 hours of racing. Event favourite in the production boat category, the Italian skipper held on despite a tightly bunched pack of pursuers. Félix de Navacelle secured second place, 1 hour and 43 minutes behind Ambrogio, while Matthieu Vincent completed the podium 2 hours and 40 minutes behind the winner. The prototype category saw an even closer finish, as the three main protagonists on the 1,350-mile course from La Rochelle fought to the wire. Axel Tréhin was first across the finish line after 8 days, 17 hours and 58 minutes. François Jambou finished 6 minutes later and Tanguy Bouroullec arrived…
megan pascoe bags second 2.4mr class world title
England’s Megan Pascoe is 2.4mR class world champion for the second time, thanks to a flawless competition sailed in challenging conditions in Genoa in October. Pascoe was up against 91 competitors from 15 countries, but a very windy week with heavy seas forced many to retire early. The fourth and final day would prove decisive for the rankings, but waves of 2m and a stiff southeasterly of 15/18kt did not make things easy for the 2.4mR sailors. The northern European crews were most at home and dominated the leaderboard. Pascoe scored 1,1,2,3,2,1,2. “It was an incredible week, we expected gentle conditions but the opposite happened,” she said after the final race. “This is my second world title and I’ve been sailing the 2.4 for 18 years – but winning in Genoa was special.”…
andy hunt to step down as world sailing chief exec
World Sailing is looking for a new chief executive after Andy Hunt announced he is stepping down from the role in December. During Hunt’s four years in the job there was criticism of World Sailing’s finances and also controversy over decisions regarding the Olympic classes for Paris 2024. ‘‘It has been a privilege to serve the sport of sailing as CEO, and to work with such a talented team to move the sport forward over the past four years,” Hunt said. “I wish the sport every success in the future as it continues to grow the global participation and fan base.” Hunt will be taking on a role in motorsport in 2020. World Sailing president Kim Andersen said: “I would like to thank Andy for his unwavering commitment to the sport over the…
in numbers
10,000 dollars have been pocketed by France’s Pauline Courtois for winning the first Women’s International Match Racing event in China 60 boats were lined up for the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre in October, including the Class40 Banque du Leman, which launched just a month previously [see Andi Robertson p16] 1,000 competitors are expected to take to the water in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series, in 100 different types of boat 300 delegates will descend on Bilbao, Spain, on 25-26 Nov for the annual Yacht Racing Forum…
