Yachts & Yachting magazine August 2021

IT IS VERY EASY TO MAKE sailing seem like a very complicated pursuit; mariners have been doing it for generations to be fair by essentially inventing their own vocabulary sometimes with what appears to be the express intention of excluding landlubbers. I recall also reading a magazine a few years ago that certainly gave the impression that if I got into my boat, there seemed a strong likelihood I would die. I have always found this rather joyless approach tiresome - never more so than when I am out sailing, done something far from prudent, and then been haunted by the knowing words of some more diligent and safety conscious sailor who has lectured me at length on the subject. Anyway, with all this in mind, I was refreshed by…

Sailor Olle Nash is circumnavigating Britain to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support – while undergoing chemotherapy himself for bowel cancer. Olle, 63, left Fox’s Marina in his hometown of Ipswich in May. The Gulf War veteran received approval from his oncologist to substitute intravenous chemotherapy treatment for tablet-based medication during his voyage. He can administer this himself, to save him numerous trips back to Ipswich, but he does need to return for cycles of radiotherapy, which can last up to five weeks. He is also permanently dependent on a colostomy, which his family have named Boris. Olle, who lost his daughter to cancer, said: “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t ask those awkward questions like ‘what does this mean for my life?’ I just wanted to get on with…

Sailors competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race on 8 August will be lining up with some of the big names who completed the Vendée Globe earlier this year. The Fastnet has become a greater attraction this year to the largely French IMOCA class, partly due to its new finish in Cherbourg, but mainly because it is a qualifier for November’s Transat Jacques Vabre double-handed race. Big names include Charlie Dalin on Apivia, who was second in the Vendée, and Jérémie Beyou on Charal, who was Vendée favourite until he retired. Also on the Fastnet startline will be Britain’s Alex Thomson on HUGO BOSS, another Vendée favourite who had to retire after leading the race. Fellow Brit Sam Davies is also racing in the Fastnet on her IMOCA Initiatives-Coeur. Davies also had to retire…

Hard work by British sailing authorities – the RYA, British Marine and the Cruising Association – has ensured key breakthroughs in the negotiations over controversial sailing rules that came into force after Brexit. The RYA received confirmation that its ICC, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Powerboat Level 2, Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean tickets remain valid for skippering Spanish-flagged boats. The RYA had raised concerns once it became clear that the UK’s status as a third country from 1 January 2021 meant that, in accordance with Spanish regulations, RYA certificates would no longer be recognised by the Spanish Government for use on Spanish-flagged boats. The announcement comes following “persistent and coordinated consultations” through the UK Government with Spain’s General Directorate for Merchant Marine. Work behind the scenes included the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the UK…

SailGP fans were out in full force – with sellout crowds on-shore and nearly 1,000 registered boats lining the racecourse – to enjoy the Italy Sail Grand Prix in Taranto in May. Nathan Outteridge’s Japan SailGP Team reigned supreme with an exciting win in the final podium race to secure a home victory for Italian sailor Francesco Bruni, known to many from his America’s Cup exploits earlier this year. There was disappointment for Great Britain, winners of the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess in April, who finished sixth. They are now second overall in the season. Helm Paul Goodison, who stepped in for this event to replace Ben Ainslie, said: “Next up is Plymouth and we are really looking forward to it; you can’t beat racing on home waters with…

RIP Dag Pike Prolific author and lifelong adventurer Dag Pike died on 28 May at the age of 88. One of the world’s most experienced powerboaters, he navigated Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Challenger on its Blue Ribband record-breaking Atlantic crossing in 1986. Dag also won the Round Britain Powerboat Race at the age of 75, in 2008. He was the author of more than 25 papers and 40 books on topics ranging from electronics and navigation to weather forecasting, surveys and safety at sea. Wingsurfing lessons The RYA has launched a new Wingsurfing training scheme, with 12 RYA instructors qualified to teach the growing watersport.rya.org.uk/go/wingsurfing Trustees sought The Scaramouche Sailing Trust is looking for two new trus-tees to help raise crucial funds for Greig City Academy Sailing Programme and help decide on the scheme’s future. Wuzzos…