Yachts & Yachting magazine March 2019

Since it was first published in 1947, Y&Y has always been at the forefront of sailing. It always seems appropriate to mark the approach of the new season with a look ahead. So this issue in particular is packed with analysis and updates about how our sport is progressing, together with insights and ideas for directions it may take in the future: from dinghies to keelboats, and from race formats to boat design to funding. Sailing is perhaps unique in the number of opportunities we as individuals have to shape the future of our sport: just think about it... Whatever your involvement, whether a sailor, organiser or someone who works in the industry, a degree of responsibility lies with each of us to build the future in a way that strengthens…

Spindrift notches up equator record Yann Guichard and his crew on board Spindrift finally found a favourable weather system to set off on another attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy for the fully crewed round the world record. Initially, at least, their timing appears to be very good with the team setting a new record to the equator of just 4 days 9 hours and 57 minutes. This also put the team 23 hours ahead of current Jules Verne record holder, Francis Joyon on his IDEC trimaran at that point. However, the Spindrift crew will need to be going some to take the record. Joyon and his team had a stunning stretch of good weather in the Southern Ocean and crossing the Pacific which saw them average over 40 knots for days. As we…

“Dylan our skipper is an exceptionally technical sailor, his speed of learning is like nothing I have seen. His team mate from the 49er, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Stu Bithell has huge talent and flair. Through the support of INEOS Team UK we draw on great experience in these boats with Nick Hutton and Neil Hunter.” Chris Draper, CEO of the British Team in SailGP sounds confident of his crew as the first event approaches. “We are just so happy that we managed to secure the win. It was a mission to get to the start line because we actually broke our traveller car on the jib during the last race of the NZL Nationals, and my girlfriend’s sister, Skye got a replacement, jumped on a plane from Perth (Western Australia) to…

Finns Giles Scott has once again confirmed his position at the top of the Finn class. He won the Australian Nationals this month despite spending little time in the class due to his Cup commitments. Royalty HRH The Princess Royal helped Toddbrook Sailing Club bring the curtain down on a year of 60th anniversary celebrations. With Toddbrook SC Commodore, Chris Gay, HRH took a tour of the sailing club’s facilities and unveiled a commemorative anniversary plaque. Partnered B&G has been announced as the official technical supplier to the new SailGP series. Competing Brazil’s Torben Grael and Denmark’s Jesper Bank, who have eight Olympic sailing medals between them, will face off in the 2019 12 Metre World Championship this summer in Newport, RI. Charity Bart’s Bash sailing charity has said thank you to Blackwater Sailing…

More information has been revealed about the Dutch America’s Cup team – one of a number of late entries announced at the end of 2018. DutchSail will see Simeon Tienpont (two-time Cup winner with Team Oracle USA and three-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran) heading up the Challenge. Tienpont presented the team’s vision and personnel, and officially opened their headquarters at their launch on 23 January in front of the Mayor of The Hague/ Scheveningen, and in the presence of the Ambassador of New Zealand. Currently, the team is without a headline sponsor which, combined with the late entry, means they will be mounting a single boat challenge – teams are allowed to build two of the new AC75s, but even for those who were the earliest entrants, such as Britain’s INEOS Team…

November 2018 - Registration of the team’s late entry accepted by the Defender and Challenger of Record December 2018 - Key personnel identified and design meetings take place with potential builders January 2019 - Governance and structure become active and the organisation is set up as an entity February 2019 - Operational with CEO and personnel, official launch March 2020 - Planned launch of AC75 June 2020 - America’s Cup World Series, Scheveningen (TBC) January 2021 - Prada Cup 2021 March - America’s Cup, Auckland…