Yachts & Yachting magazine

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…

yachts & yachting magazine

EDITORIAL Editor Rob Peake rob.peake@chelseamagazines.com News and Digital Editor Chris Rosamond Art Editor Gareth Lloyd Jones Clubs & Classes Editor Paula Irish club@yachtsandyachting.co.uk Contributors: Bob Fisher, Rupert Holmes, Paula Irish, Rob Kothe, Mark Rushall, Sue Pelling, Andy Rice, Andi Robertson Cover image: AC75s on their home waters. Credits are: INEOS Team UK/Tom Cheney; Emirates Team New Zealand; American Magic/ Amory Ross; Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi ADVERTISING Sales Director Cameron Hay Marine Group Head of Market Jodie Green +44 (0)207 349 3722 jodie.green@chelseamagazines.com Y&Y Advertising Manager Mark Harrington +44 (0)207 349 3787 mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com PUBLISHING Chairman Paul Dobson Chief Operating Officer Kevin Petley Finance Financial Officer Vicki Gavin Director of Media James Dobson Publisher Simon Temlett Publishing Consultant Martin Nott Marketing Manager Daniel Webb daniel.webb@chelseamagazines.com EA to Chairman Sarah Porter WEBSITE yachtsandyachting.co.uk Yachts & Yachting is published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Tel: +44 (0)20 7349…

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…