yacht racing Luxury Yacht & Superyacht News

America’s Cup Artemis Racing sailor Andrew Simpson passes away in training accident

May 10, 2013

Today, May 10, in San Francisco, saw Artemis Racing, with immense sadness, confirm the tragic death of crewmember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson.

San Francisco Harbour - Photo by Gulain GRENER/www.oracleracing.com

San Francisco Harbour - Photo by Gulain GRENER/www.oracleracing.com

Andrew, a British double Olympic gold medallist, was one of the 11 man crew aboard Artemis Racing’s AC72 catamaran which capsized during training on San Francisco Bay ahead of this summer’s America’s Cup. All other crew are accounted for.

Simpson however was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.

“The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened,” said CEO Paul Cayard. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew’s wife and family.”

Esimit Europa 2 yacht to compete in northern Europe for the first time

May 09, 2013

Following three fantastic seasons in the Mediterranean, the fastest as well as most successful European sailing yacht Esimit Europa 2 sails to the northern Europe for the first time. Esimit Europa 2 yacht will participate in the races in Germany (Kieler Woche), Sweden (ÅF Offshore Race), United Kingdom (Cowes Week and Rolex Fastnet Race), Italy (Bernetti Lombardini Cup and Barcolana) and will attempt to set a new world sailing record from Trieste – Valletta for the Medot Sailing Trophy and race in Malta (Rolex Middle Sea Race). New design of the Esimit Europa 2 yacht and her sails reflects new challenges and her mission in encouraging unity among Europeans.

Esimit Europa 2 Yacht

Esimit Europa 2 Yacht - Photo by Esimit Europa/Vicent Bosch

On the Europe Day, during the first official training in the new season, Igor Simčič, founder of the Esimit Europa project, and Jochen Schümann, skipper of the Esimit Europa 2 yacht, revealed ambitions for the upcoming sailing season. After achieving 19 victories at all the attended races so far and setting 5 new course records, one of the fastest yachts in world is eager to repeat its success – for the first time outside the Mediterranean since its christening in 2010. New challenges will be accompanied with the new hull and sails design. Brand new big yellow stars on the sides of the hull and on top of the mainsail, together with new light blue lines, illustrate new ambitions in the northern seas, while they project the team spirit among crew members and cooperation within all partners in the Esimit Europa project at the same time.

Luxury superyacht Esimit Europa 2

Luxury superyacht Esimit Europa 2 - Photo by Esimit Europa/Vicent Bosch

At the end of June, superyacht Esimit Europa 2 will race at the Kieler Woche. The happening with more than 3 million visitors, 1800 sailing yachts and 450 races is one of the biggest sailing events in the world. The Esimit Sailing Team will perform at 2 races and will move to Stockholm immediately after for the start of the most renowned Swedish regatta, the ÅF Offshore Race, on 30. June. The 350 nautical miles long race, which rounds the scenic Gotland Island and ends in Sandham, will see the record fleet of extremely attractive yachts, all of them eager to take line honours at this Swedish classic.

After her performance in Sweden, the 30-meter luxury yacht Esimit Europa 2 will be shipped to the United Kingdom for the start of the Cowes Week at the beginning of August, one of the oldest continuing sporting events in the United Kingdom (established in 1826). 18-member crew will show its skills at 3 inshore races and prepare for one of the toughest and most renowned European races, the famous Rolex Fastnet Race.

Esimit Sailing Team

Esimit Sailing Team - Photo by Esimit Europa/Vicent Bosch

With 608 nautical miles in front of legendary Jochen Schümann and his all-star crew, the Rolex Fastnet Race represents season’s highlight, but also a big test for the Esimit Europa 2 yacht herself due to always unpredictable weather conditions. In addition, the competition will be very tough, many excellent boats registered for the race, in total 380 yachts from 20 countries.

After the Rolex Fastnet Race, Esimit Europa 2 yacht will return to Mediterranean for 4 races in October. Starting with Bernetti Lombardini Cup and Barcolana in the Gulf of Trieste. On her way to Malta’s Rolex Middle Sea Race Esimit Europa 2 will try to break the course record (Medot Sailing Trophy).

Schuemann Simcic

Schuemann and Simcic - Photo by Esimit Europa/Vicent Bosch

New sailing challenges of the Esimit Europa 2 yacht and her mission in fostering European unity are embodied in the new yacht’s design. It features two big yellow stars on the sides of the hull and additional one on the top of the mainsail. Accompanied with light blue waving lines, showing a dynamic environment we are living in, all new graphic elements illustrate collaboration among crew members and cooperation within the partners of the Esimit Europa project.

Antigua Sailing Week 2013: Summary

May 08, 2013

Attended by yacht crews coming from 26 different countries, the 46th edition of Antigua Sailing Week was a real international affair. Few would doubt that the sailing waters around Antigua offer one of the best race tracks anywhere in the world and English as well as Falmouth Harbours provide some of the best facilities, hotels, restaurants as well as bars in the fabulous yacht charter destination – the Caribbean.

Antigua Sailing Week 2013

Antigua Sailing Week 2013 - Photo credit to Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

However having the best ingredients for success is not enough. Combining those raw materials requires dedication and expertise and for a regatta, that should always start with the race management. Antigua Sailing Week’s tag line is ‘where sailing comes first’ and above all else providing well-run, competitive racing has been the key to the regatta’s success in recent years.

“Having listened to the positive feedback from competitors, we made very few changes to the format for racing this year,” commented Chairman of the Race Committee, Kathy Lammers. “The fleet was divided to give the smaller boats and bareboats a style of race course to suit them and likewise for the bigger faster boats. Racing for all was designed to keep them out on the water for about three to four hours, with everyone returning to shore at roughly the same time to enjoy the social activities. Class splits were designed to race similar boats, generally with similar ratings, against each other. This is not an exact science but by racing similar yachts in each class, it makes for fairer results and everybody enjoys close racing.”

By Antiguan standards, weather conditions were lighter than usual with wind speeds varying from 20 to 10 knots during the week. Only one day produced fully powered Trade Wind weather but the full schedule of racing was completed and the lighter winds created some tactical conundrums for the competitors.

With 10 yachts of 60 feet or more racing, Antigua Sailing Week had one of the largest numbers of big boats for many years. CSA 1 was composed of high performance racing yachts crewed by professional sailors from the America’s Cup, Olympics, Volvo Ocean Race and Vendée Globe. The winner was Eduardo Wong Lu Vega’s Peruvian Soto 48, Kuankun. The team from Peru does not have that level of competition back home and had to sail intelligently to get the better of RP78 Whisper, skippered by His Majesty, King Harald V of Norway.

CSA 2 was mainly composed of high performance cruising yachts. Christian Potthoff-Sewing’s JV53, Auliana was dwarfed by the bigger yachts in the class but the German team revelled in the lighter conditions to win the class. British Frers 94, Bristolian, skippered by Patrick Wynn, and Hector Velarde’s Peruvian Nelson Marek 92 superyacht Locura enjoyed some fantastic boat on boat racing. Locura was the victor after time correction but Bristolian won more line honours. No doubt the two crews shared the gentlemen’s bet of a case of champagne.

CSA 3 was composed of lightweight performance yachts and included last year’s overall winner, Richard Wesslund’s American J/120, El Ocaso and the much fancied American Swan 42, Arethusa skippered by Phil Lotz. Arethusa sailed a near perfect regatta to take the class win and The Lord Nelson Trophy for the best performance by any yacht at the regatta. Peter Peake’s Trinidadian team on RP37, Slippery came third but only just. Slippery beat the young Antiguan National Sailing Academy’s Digicel Challenger by just 32 seconds in the last race, to take the last podium place.

The honours in CSA 4 were contested between three race charter yachts. Antigua Sailing Week has seen a growth in these well prepared competitive yachts often sailed by a group of friends or individuals brought together as a team. The class was decided in the very last race with Philippe Falle’s Deep Blue Racing Team taking the title, sailing British Grand Soleil 43, Quokka. Two British First 40s put up a great fight all week. Lucy Reynolds’ Southern Child and Jeremy Thorp’s Lancelot II were second and third respectively.

For regulars to Antigua, Carlo Falcone’s Caccia alla Volpe and Ross Applebey’s need little introduction and the two yachts swapped the lead no less than four times in CSA 5. The class was composed of displacement cruisers and Caccia alla Volpe was the lightest of all, which probably suited the conditions. However, Scarlet Oyster sailed well to push Caccia alla Volpe all the way and it was not until the last race that Caccia alla Volpe secured victory.

Geoffrey Pidduck’s Six Meter, Biwi Magic romped to victory in CSA 6, winning all seven races. Pidduck has competed at Antigua Sailing Week for nearly 40 years and has never managed a perfect score before – a fantastic accomplishment for a helmsman who is 60 years older than his bowman! Antigua’s talisman sailor, Sir Hugh Bailey has been competing at Antigua Sailing Week for decades but this year his CS40 U-Go was a new entry for his team. Well prepared and expertly sailed, U-Go also achieved a perfect scoreline of wins in CSA 7B. CSA 7A was won by the Uruguayan team sailing Jeanneau 57, Batucada.

With 29 yachts split into two Bareboat divisions, some of the most competitive sailing at Antigua Sailing Week is in the Bareboat classes. Alfred Geisser’s Swiss team was returning to Antigua Sailing Week, having won the overall Bareboat title in 2011 and its Dufour 455, KH+P Sea You Later was a force to contend with winning all bar two races to win Bareboat 1 and the Sunsail Trophy for best Bareboat overall. In Bareboat 2 there was a battle royal between Christoph Nielsen’s German team racing KH+P Bageal and Coleman Garvey’s Irish team racing Warvor. After seven races the two yachts were tied on points but KH+P Bageal was awarded the class win by virtue of number of race wins.

Antigua Sailing Week also offers fantastic after-race parties with some of the best bands and DJs entertaining the crowds late into the evening.

On Tuesday night or Lay Day eve, Nelson’s Dockyard became a cool open-air night club for thousands of revellers with live music from Tian Winter and his Iconic band and DJ’s Private Ryan of Trinidad and Woogie of the United States spinning dance tunes into the night.

Lay Day on Wednesday is more than just a day away from the race course. Pigeon Beach is walking distance from the main marinas and the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge provided a marvellous fleet racing spectacle for hundreds of spectators. Nonsuch Bay Resort also provided a fantastic beach barbeque under the watchful eye of its award winning Caribbean Chef of the Year, Mitchell Husbands.

The final awards party on Friday evening heralded the end of the week and crews gathered in Nelson’s Dockyard for one final time along with dignitaries including Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Honourable John Maginley, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, to celebrate the winners, dine on fantastic seafood and dance late into the night. Many crews commented that the grand finale was the best awards party they had ever attended, not just in Antigua but in the Caribbean.

Antigua Sailing Week is the longest running and most prestigious regatta in the Caribbean catering for a huge variety of yachts and competitors. The 47th Edition of Antigua Sailing Week will take place from April 26 to May 2, 2014.

All-new WallyCento sailing yacht MAGIC CARPET3 makes her debut at Gaastra Palmavela regatta

May 07, 2013

Excellent performance marked the premiere of the all-new WallyCento sailing yacht Magic Carpet3. Just two weeks after her launch, Magic Carpet 3 yacht participated in Gaastra Palmavela regatta, running in Mallorca, from 1-5 May, out-matching all races in real time. She crossed the finish lines between five and 20 minutes ahead of the closest competitor.

WallyCento Yacht Magic Carpet3

WallyCento Yacht Magic Carpet3 competing in the Gaastra Palmavela regatta - Photo credit to Jesus Renedo

“I’m highly satisfied with the outcome of this groundbreaking project, that engaged myself and my team for over two years,“ enthusiastically says the Owner and helmsman Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones. “Magic Carpet3 is precisely what I wanted and expected her to be, totally fulfilling my goals and briefs. She is the natural evolution of my breed of yachts: very fast, beautiful, comfortable, technologically advanced, and easy to sail.”

WallyCento, the new generation of sailing cruisers
Developed by Reichel Pugh naval architects with the exterior styling and interiors by Wally, she fully exploits the WallyCento box-rule to create a fast seaworthy sound cruiser-racer that benefits from the latest performance technology, respecting the Wally spirit.

“Cruising in comfort at the speed of the fastest maxi racer and racing at the highest level of competition is the dream of every passionate yachtsman – says Luca Bassani Antivari, Wally Founder and CEO – WallyCento is the first and only super yacht making this dream come true, and Magic Carpet3 truly reflects this concept.”

“We are thankful to Sir Owen-Jones who actively contributed to the definition and development of the WallyCento box-rule – continues Bassani – and gave Wally the opportunity to produce such an innovative super yacht carrying the unmistakable Wally pedigree.”

Luxury yacht Magic Carpet 3 is a step forward in yachting evolution: she embodies the new generation of high performance sailing cruiser, setting new higher standards in naval architecture, systems, equipments, and construction technology.

“As a truly passionate yachtsman and lover of performance and technology, the starting point of the development of Magic Carpet3, that is my third Wally, was the brief to design the fastest cruiser-racer in the World, with no limitations or other requirements,” explains Sir Owen-Jones. “We selected Reichel Pugh because they have great experience of designing very high performance maxi racers. They successfully interpreted the WallyCento box-rule and produced along with Wally, an explosively fast boat on all points of sail and in all wind conditions.”

Luxury yacht Magic Carpet3 - view from above

Luxury yacht Magic Carpet3 - view from above - Photo credit to Jesus Renedo

Maxi-racer performance
Fully equipped with all the cruising amenities, her performance are closer to those of the fastest maxi racers (only -2% than Esimit) than to those of a traditional Wally 100-footer (10% faster on a windward-leeward course, and 25-30 % faster reaching).

Superyacht Magic Carpet3 is very fast in all conditions: in light air she behaves like a light yacht, in strong air she is so stable and powerful, to resemble an aircraft carrier! She shows incredible acceleration, and after a tack she is back to full speed after just 20 seconds.

During the sea trials in Saint Tropez, Magic Carpet3 yacht exceeded 21.5 knots of speed reaching in 20 knots of true wind speed. In the transfer to Palma de Mallorca, the Captain Danny Gallichan steadily sailed at 18 knots of speed with the small jib only (no mainsail), in 25 knots of true wind!

Sailing yacht Magic Carpet3 is the new “yacht to beat” in the Wally Class circuit as well as in other divisions of the Med regattas, and she will engage epic duels with Hamilton yacht, the first WallyCento that was launched in 2012 and showed the potential of this new type of yachts.

Ultra light displacement
The 100-foot cruiser, Magic Carpet3 yacht, is the epitome of Wally DNA, combining the latest and most advanced technology and design to produce a fast, easy and beautiful yacht. The quality of the construction of WallyEurope, using high/intermediate modulus carbon and female moulds CNC machined to limit the fairing, along with the extreme attention paid to each component and detail throughout all the construction, produced a breakthrough super yacht, very balanced and in perfect trim.

Characterised by the reduced displacement (only 50 tons), she is the lightest cruising yacht of this size ever built: compared to that of the previous 100-foot Wallys like charter yacht Y3K and luxury yacht Indio, the construction weight of Magic Carpet3 is 40 % lighter!

Superyacht Magic Carpet3 at full speed

Superyacht Magic Carpet3 at full speed - Photo credit to Jesus Renedo

Cruising in comfort
As well as being a racing thoroughbred, superyacht Magic Carpet3 is first and foremost a very comfortable cruising super yacht featuring the latest easy-sailing systems, big interior volumes and large open-air living areas.

On deck, the social cockpit seats up to ten guests for formal dining. Large flush areas forward and aft, are fitted with sunpads for relaxing and enjoying life onboard. The twin-helm station is aft the social cockpit, where all the manoeuvres are concentrated enhancing safety for children and guest not involved in sailing.

The self-tacking jib simplifies sail handling with reduced crew when cruising. The teak laid slim coachroof is camouflaged with the rest of the deck, and the two minimal coamings are mother-of-pearl painted.

The colour scheme is a continuation of the previous two Magic Carpets: navy and white, that have become the distinctive mark of this series of yacht.

Down below, the salon with dining and lounge areas plus navigation and office, separates the service area aft from the guest accommodation that includes two double guest cabins with en-suites and the forward owners’ stateroom with ensuite separate head and shower rooms.

The large forepeak serves as an additional crew cabin when cruising, and is converted into sail locker in racing mode. To enhance the cruising capability, the aft lazzarette is equipped with an additional fridge and it increases storage capacity.

The interior style is bright, simple and clean, with teak and maple joinery combined with lacquered white ceiling and sides, and carbon details. The interiors are also built using lightweight construction technology. The overall aesthetics is innovative, elegant and timeless.

Never ending (re)evolution
With Magic Carpet3 yacht, Wally once again is far ahead in yachting development. “What attracts me about Wally is the development of the latest technologies and the continuous R&D to simplify sailing and improve performance, as well the Italian design flair peculiar to Wally that makes these yachts aesthetically unique and very appealing both outside and inside. And we have indeed achieved this result with my new Magic Carpet3,” concludes Sir Owen-Jones.

Main technical specifications of luxury sailing yacht Magic Carpet3:

type WallyCento
year 2013

length o.a. 30.47 m 100’ 0”
beam 7.20 m 23’ 7”
draught 4.40 m 14’ 5” keel up/6.20 m 20’ 4” keel down

displacement 49.95 tons 110,231 lbs
sail area upwind 640 sqm 6,890 sqft
sail area downwind 1,420 sqm 15,285 sqft
sail plan sloop, self tacking &108% jib, square head mainsail
mast height from deck 46.00 m 150’ 11”

accommodation 6 guests + 2/4 crew
owner’s stateroom 1 double bed, en-suite separate shower room and separate head
guest cabin 2 beds, en-suite head and separate shower
guest cabin 2 beds, en-suite head and separate shower
crew cabin 2 pullman beds, en-suite head and shower
crew cabin 2 2 bunks in the forepeak
saloon seats and tables for 10 people, navigation station, office desk

concept & development Wally / Luca Bassani
design Wally / Luca Bassani
naval architecture Reichel Pugh Yacht Design
engineering Reichel Pugh Yacht Design
styling & interior design Wally / Luca Bassani
construction WallyEurope, Italy
classification Germanish Lloyd Structural Design

construction type advanced composites PRE-PREG high / intermediate modulus carbon
deck finish teak & titanium
interior joinery Nomex Core
paint Awlgrip
speed (engine) 11 knots

mast and boom Southern Spars, super/high modulus carbon fiber,
swept back spreaders, V boom
rigging Southern Spars EC6
deck hardware Harken – #10 winches, blocks and tracks/Cariboni jib furler/Magic Trims for main and jib sheets/powered running back stays/main traveller/light weight tensioning devices

sails North Sails
hydraulics Wally Grand Prix light weight package
sail controls Wally push button system
electrical system Wally Grand Prix light weight package

engine WM 350 Hp
propeller retractable

generators 15kW, 50 Hz, 230 V
watermaker Osmosea100 l / hour – 26 US gal / hour
anchor windlass Maxwell

navigation & comm B&G H3000 WTP3
auto pilot B&G
GPS Hemisphere

air conditioning Frigomar 45,000 BTU
refrigerator Waeco

fuel 1,500 l – 396 US gallon
fresh water 1,500 l – 396 US gallon

VHF Sailor
3G Netgear
Sitcom Salior Fleet Broadband

entertainment Apple system
TV Samsung

galley Techimpex gas burner with 3 burners and oven, carbon sink, crew mess

Oyster World Rally 2013: Exploring the Pacific

May 06, 2013

It is exactly four months since the beginning of the first Oyster World Rally. The Oyster fleet left Antigua on 6 January and the amazing blue water cruisers have recently arrived in the breath-taking yacht charter destination – the South Pacific. French Polynesia is about 6,500 miles from Antigua, as the crow flies, but the Oyster World Rally is an adventure that has seen the fleet explore plenty of spectacular locations along the way.

Oyster World Rally 2013 Exploring the Pacific

Oyster World Rally 2013: Exploring the Pacific

After leaving the Galapagos Islands, the next Oyster fleet rendezvous was the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. With a population of less than 9,000 people spread across 15 islands, The Marquesas are remote indeed. Joe Torcivia sailing with Michael Yokell’s Oyster 56 sailing yacht Quester describes the arrival in The Marquesas.

“Fatu Hiva is one of the least populated islands in the Marquesas chain and only gets about 500 visitors per year, mostly from cruising yachts.” Explained Joe. “There are no restaurants, hotels, shops or really anything besides a few locals playing in the water enjoying a game of volleyball!

“Once ashore, we ran into the crew from Pearl of Persia, Chinook, In Flagranti and Purusha. They were taking a hike up to a waterfall, so I hustled up the trail. After about 40 minutes, we broke through the thick rainforest to find a picturesque waterfall, cascading down 200ft into a rock pool. A gentleman off the Pearl of Persia interrupted this fantastic view as he stripped down to his birthday suit and cannonballed into the water – so much for the perfect picture! But after a good laugh, we all jumped in (keeping our bathing suits on) and enjoyed the refreshing water.

Aboard one of the luxury yachts by Oyster

Aboard one of the luxury yachts by Oyster

“We’re leaving tomorrow to head over to another island in the chain, Hiva Oa, for a few days. From there we will come back to Fatu Hiva, where Oyster has arranged for a welcome party for the boats that have made the trip. We are all looking forward to hearing the stories from the past few weeks as everyone recounts their most memorable moments, good and bad, that happened during the sail across the largest stretch of the Pacific.”

After making for Tahiti, the majority of the Oyster fleet are now heading to Bora Bora. The volcanic mountainous atoll of islands, with Bora Bora at the centre, is renowned for spectacular lagoons and beautiful coral reefs, there are no indigenous mammals on land but in contrast numerous species of birds thrive there including; black-winged petrels, Pacific swallow, and the white tern.

Marine life abounds around the waters of Bora Bora: red snapper, jackfish, and lemon sharks are found in the amazing reefs and sea turtles, dolphins and migrating humpback whales are frequently spotted but perhaps Bora Bora is most famous for an abundant ray population including: leopard, eagle and the huge manta ray.

First Mate on Oyster 885 superyacht Lush Audrey Jameson describes the trip and the scenery in the remote South Pacific.

“After 3,400 miles and nearly 15 days at sea, we arrived in French Polynesia. This Pacific crossing certainly was a great adventure and the amazing thing is there’s still so much more to this ocean. When you initially look at a map of the pacific you just see a massive ocean and then looking closer you notice a load of tiny dots. Well, we’re on one of those dots now and will be sailing between those dots for the next four months until we reach Australia in August.

Oyster yacht owners enjoying the Pacific

Oyster yacht owners enjoying the Pacific

“There are roughly 20,000 islands in the Pacific, most of which are in this southwest region. Needless to say we’ll make a good stab at exploring these islands but 20,000 of them… well you’d need to be here for a whole lifetime to get around them all and even at that it wouldn’t be an easy task!

“Wow, we are going have some fun sailing around here; discovering awesome anchorages and villages, meeting the islanders, getting to know their culture and geography and finally disappearing west back over the horizon”.

The South Pacific is one of the most beautiful places on earth, however the remoteness of the islands means that maintenance of yachts is fraught with logistics. As always, Oyster World Rally Project Manager, Debbie Johnson and Oyster Technical Support Manager, Eddie Scougall are with the fleet in French Polynesia to assist in any way possible.

Alan and Sue Brook’s Oyster 56 yacht Sulana was a late entry for the Oyster World Rally but after decades of service as Managing Director of Oyster and thousands of sea miles, Alan knows too well how important it is to have a well built yacht for such an adventure.

“Most people had 18 months to prepare for the Oyster World Rally, we had 24 hours!” Explained Sue Brook. “I have very little experience offshore and I would only contemplate such a journey on an Oyster. Sulana is in perfect condition, it really came down to whether I was mentally prepared to go and whether our family was happy for us to leave them. Our daughter was expecting a baby, for which I anticipated returning home to be with her, and we are now delighted to announce the birth of our Grandson Blake who arrived at a healthy 8lb 4oz.”

Alan Brook was full of praise for the diligent preparation for the event, especially the 1,000 page Oyster World Rally Guide, which took two years to formulate.

“Oyster have gone to enormous lengths in their preparations and when I start looking at the attention to detail in the guide I have been really impressed, the tips and tricks are really useful including downwind trimming, watch keeping let alone all the other issues of sailing to so many different places.”

Here is a video from on board Oyster 885 superyacht Lush from Captain, Paul Adamson, which was filmed 2,000 miles into the South Pacific:

Antigua Sailing Week 2013: Day 5

May 03, 2013

Friday, May 3, saw the final day 5 of this year’s Antigua Sailing Week, marked by the tension on the dock as the international fleet sailed out to the combat area. With plenty of class winners yet to be decided, the pressure was heightened by tricky conditions. The wind was seldom over 10 knots and there were huge wind holes appearing all over the racing area.

Winner CSA 4, Quokka 8, Grand Soleil 43, Philippe Falle of Deep Blue Racing

Winner CSA 4, Quokka 8, Grand Soleil 43, Philippe Falle of Deep Blue Racing - Photo credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

However, the Race Committee did an excellent job getting in a fair race for all classes. Starts are always important, especially in light airs and several yachts could not control their urgency enough, resulting in several individual recalls and two general recalls. The last day of racing at Antigua Sailing Week was not for the faint hearted.

In CSA 1, Eduardo Wong Lu Vega’s Soto 48 sailing yacht Kuankun scored its sixth win of the series. Time and time again the Peruvian boat has been launched off the start line and into clear air. It was a great day for Simonas Steponavicius’ Volvo 60 yacht Ambersail. The Lithuanian team used its enormous Code Zero sail to great effect to take second place and celebrated in style with several crew somersaulting off the back of the boat for a refreshing swim. Derek Saunders’ British Farr 60 yacht Venomous got the best start of the day and sailed well to take third. In CSA 2, Christian Potthoff-Sewing’s German JV53 yacht Auliana scored her third win in a row to win the class title, X-612 Nix was second overall and Hector Velarde’s NM92 yacht Locura was third.

Winner CSA 1, Kuankun, Soto 48, Eduardo Wong Lu Vega

Winner CSA 1, Kuankun, Soto 48, Eduardo Wong Lu Vega - Photo credit: T. Wright/photoaction.com

In CSA 3, Phil Lotz’s American Swan 42 yacht Arethusa finished the regatta in style by winning the last race and also winning the class title. Richard Wesslund’s El Ocaso struggled in the light airs and could only come sixth today but the team from Florida finished second for the series. It went to the wire for the last podium spot. Antigua’s National Sailing Academy sailors lost out by an agonising 32 seconds to Peter Peake’s Trinidadian RP37, Slippery for third in class.

CSA 3 winner, Arethusa, Swan 42, Philip Lotz

CSA 3 winner, Arethusa, Swan 42, Philip Lotz - Photo credit: T. Stoerkle - Photography

CSA 4 produced one of the most competitive series of races at Antigua Sailing Week with four different yachts all winning races. Philippe Falle’s Deep Blue Racing Team sailing Grand Soleil 43 yacht Quokka held its nerve to win the last race and the class title. Lucy Reynolds’ First 40 yacht Southern Child was second in class, edging out Jeremy Thorp’s First 40 yacht Lancelot II into third.

“Absolutely thrilled and delighted for the team,” grinned Philippe, after crossing the line. “That is definitely the most competitive regatta that we have sailed this season and my heart was pounding when our start was affected by an individual recall. It could have easily been a very bad moment. All credit to Southern Child and Lancelot II, they both sailed extremely well and put a lot of pressure on us creating some fantastic racing.”

Winner CSA 5, Caccia alla Volpe, one off, Carlo Falcone

Winner CSA 5, Caccia alla Volpe, one off, Carlo Falcone - Photo credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

In CSA 5, Carlo Falcone’s Caccia alla Volpe got a dream start at the pin end of the line and sailed into clean air and sped away from the fleet. Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster tried in vain to catch its rivals but being a far heavier boat, it was impossible unless Carlo’s team made a mistake. Caccia alla Volpe sailed a near perfect race to take the gun and the class title.

“Right to the wire,” smiled Carlo Falcone shortly after crossing the finish line. “That was the closest match I have had for many, many years. We had to sail perfectly to beat Scarlet Oyster, who put up an incredible fight. I am sure both crews will meet up at the prize giving and share our story together. It was a hard fought battle and I have great respect for the Scarlet Oyster crew.”

Geoffrey Pidduck claims he is going to retire soon – if he does it will be on a high. At 75 years of age, Pidduck is the oldest helmsman at Antigua Sailing Week and his years of experience and zest for racing produced a perfect scoreline of seven straight wins in CSA 6 for the Antiguan Six Metre, Biwi Magic. “I have been competing at Antigua Sailing Week since the 1970s and I have never had a perfect scoreline. They say you should go out on a high but my wife says I shouldn’t give up, so we will see.”

Winner CSA 7B, Ugo, CS40, Sir Hugh Bailey

Winner CSA 7B, Ugo, CS40, Sir Hugh Bailey - Photo by T. Wright/photoaction.com

Geoffrey Pidduck made a remarkable achievement at Antigua Sailing Week but he was not alone. Sir Hugh Bailey’s Antiguan CS 40, U-Go emulated Biwi Magic’s scoreline to win CSA 7B with a perfect seven bullets. In CSA 7A, Jorge Born’s Uruguayan Jeanneau 57, Batucada won the last race of the series to take the class title with Alain Charlot’s French Beneteau 473 yacht Ormeau in second place and Phil Munday’s British Jeanneau 52.2 sailing yacht Great Escape of Southampton in third.

In Bareboat 1, Alfred Geisser’s Swiss KH+P Sea You Later wrapped up the title with a day to spare. Thomas Priebus’ German Cayenne won the last race of the series to win a close battle for second place with Paul Solomon’s Where The Wild Things Are taking third in class. There was a dramatic conclusion in Bareboat 2, with Coleman Garvey’s Irish Warvor and Christoph Nielsen’s German KH+P Bageal match racing in the final race in a struggle to win the class. Warvor beat KH+P Bagealto the line but failed to put a boat between themselves and their rivals. KH+P Bageal and Warvor were equal on points but KH+P Bageal was awarded the class win by virtue of a greater number of first places. KH+P Balaou skippered by Alexander Pfeiffer was third.

Whilst the Class winners at Antigua Sailing Week deserve high praise, not everyone gets to taste victory but the smiles on the dockside after today’s final race were testament to a highly successful regatta. Global Yacht Racing’s Andy Middleton’s sailing First 47.7 yacht Team Shambles was fifth in a highly competitive class. Charter skipper Alistair Goodwin was celebrating his 50th birthday with friends and family. “We have had a fantastic time and this has been a very memorable way to celebrate. Andy has really looked after us so well and this has been a really welcoming regatta.”

Global Yacht Racing also has a little bet with fellow competitor, Swan 51 Northern Child, which involves wearing a dress at the prize giving. “Northern Child had the better of us most of the season but tonight I fully expect their skipper Christian and First Mate Tim to be correctly attired. I am sure Christian will slip into one of his wife’s dresses but Tim is a big lad and he will need to find something for the fuller figure!” laughed Andy Middleton.

Hundreds of competitors are expected to attend tonight’s Final Awards Party, where prizes will be awarded including the prize for the best yacht at the regatta, The Lord Nelson Trophy. There are a number of boat names being whispered around the docks but the winner of Antigua Sailing Week’s most prestigious prize is very much undecided. After the prize giving, 1761° will be play a live set of rock anthems to get the party started and DJ Nez will be spinning dance tunes grooving into the night.

Two weeks left to the America’s Cup San Francisco racing

May 03, 2013

Only two weeks left to the start of the America’s Cup “Summer of Racing” in San Francisco. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for the 4 July, with 5 July being marked by a special fleet race for all of the teams.

Luna Rossa - Image courtesy of America's Cup

Luna Rossa - Image courtesy of America's Cup

Racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, officially begins on July 7 with a match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge of Italy. It continues on July 9 with Sweden’s Artemis Racing taking on the New Zealanders, and July 10 with Luna Rossa against Artemis Racing.

The Louis Vuitton Cup schedule is packed with action. Some highlights:

  • The Louis Vuitton Cup round robins are scheduled July 7-Aug. 4. Wins are worth 1 point
  • The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Final, a best-of-seven series, is scheduled Aug. 6-14
  • The Louis Vuitton Cup Final, a best-of-13 series, is scheduled Aug. 17-30
  • Racing is scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Start times for the round robins and semi finals are scheduled for 1:15 pm PT (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) or 2:15 pm PT (Wednesdays)
  • Mondays and Thursdays are scheduled reserve days
  • In the round robins and semi finals, one race is scheduled per day with a target elapsed time of one hour
  • In the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, two races are scheduled each day, each with a target elapsed time of 30 minutes

The top team at the end of the round robins gets to choose whether it advances directly to the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals or races in the semi finals. With a break of 12 days in the offing, presumably the winner would choose to go to the final and let the other two teams continue slugging it out in the semis.

Throughout the Louis Vuitton Cup the defender, ORACLE TEAM USA, will also have access to the race course four days per week, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, sometimes sandwiched around the challengers’ racing.

The America’s Cup Finals are scheduled Sept. 7-21, with racing set for Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The match is a best-of-17 series. Two races are planned each day, lasting approximately 30 minutes, and beginning at 1:10 pm PT and 2:10 pm PT. A break of approximately 30 minutes between races is mandated by the Protocol.

OYSTER announces profitable 2012 and confirms five Oyster 885 yacht and three Oyster 825 yacht orders

May 03, 2013

Announcing profitable results, together with a good order book across its range, Oyster closed the year 2012 in its strongest position for many years. The groups turnover in 2012 was up on 2011, bringing a second year in a row of improving results from the recession associated low points of 2008 and 2010. Furthermore, Oyster is please to confirm five orders for the new sailing yacht Oyster 885 and three new orders for the Oyster 825 yacht.

Oyster 82 sailing yacht Starry Night, Class 1 winner and Oyster 575 Dreamer yacht, Class 2 winner and overall winner both Classes, enjoy Oyster's 31st Regatta in Grenada

Oyster 82 sailing yacht Starry Night, Class 1 winner and Oyster 575 Dreamer yacht, Class 2 winner and overall winner both Classes, enjoy Oyster's 31st Regatta in Grenada

A debt free balance sheet reflects a successful restructuring in February ‘12 of the leveraged private equity ownership which ran from early 2008 to the end of 2011. The new shareholders are committed to a long term investment in the Company and to maintaining Oysters unrivaled After Sales and Support operations.

In June 2012 the Group acquired the fit-out business of E.C. Landamore & Co. of Wroxham which for the previous four decades had been fitting out Oyster yachts as a subcontractor to the Group. This strategic acquisition focuses production of the smaller yachts at the Landamore site whilst the larger yachts are built at the wholly owned facility in Southampton. Plans are being formulated to further expand the Wroxham facility to deliver greater production efficiencies.

Oyster’s focus on its Owners enjoyment of their yachts continues and the inaugural Oyster World rally fleet is now mid-pacific en route to their ‘half-way party’ in Australia in early August ‘13. Oyster also just concluded the 31st Oyster Regatta in Grenada and on a final note, Oyster is pleased to confirm more than 15 entrants already planning for the second World Rally, starting in January ‘16.

2013 Antigua Sailing Week: Day 4

May 03, 2013

Fourth day at the 2013 Antigua Sailing Week, and at the same time the penultimate day of racing was relaxed. Ian Galbraith’s Oyster 53 Jigsaw, racing in CSA 7, is one of the majority of the yachts moored in Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua (the Caribbean) and the sound of bagpipes from the Scottish boat as it left the dock was all-inspiring. Torrential overnight rain increased the humidity and took away much of the wind to create stifling early morning conditions but by the time racing started, 10 knots of breeze had filled in from the southeast, which stayed consistent throughout the day.

Day 4 at the 2013 Antigua Sailing Week

Day 4 at the 2013 Antigua Sailing Week

With 29 yachts in the Bareboat fleet competing at Antigua Sailing Week, the fleet accounts for close to 200 sailors from all over the world, many of them chartering from Antigua Sailing Week’s Silver sponsor Sunsail. The yachts may not be the fastest on the water but there is no shortage of competition.  Races are won by seconds and in today’s light wind affair one bad decision or manoeuvre would be punished by eager competitors.

Hartmut Holtmann has been coming to Antigua Sailing Week for nearly 20 years and his German company, KH+P yachtcharter provides a bespoke service for sailors wishing to have a user-friendly package to allow them to come and race bareboats without the logistical hassle of organising a boat themselves.

2013 Antigua Sailing Week - Day 4

2013 Antigua Sailing Week - Day 4

“This year, we have 13 yachts racing,” commented Hartmut. “Many of the sailors have been coming for years and although most of them are from Germany, we also have clients from other countries such as Switzerland, Ireland and Russia. Most of the yachts are supplied by Sunsail, who we have a long standing relationship with. We offer support for our customers right through the regatta and our primary goal is to make sure they all enjoy themselves. Having fun is why everybody comes here. Winning obviously helps but it is not the main objective.”

As conditions looked really fluky for the last day, the Race Committee decided to make an amendment for yachts racing with Committee Boat B and scheduled two races instead of one.  Committee Boat B Race Officer Paul Miller not only provided two good races in light airs but also added an element of humour into his address to the fleet. “Everybody comes to Antigua Sailing Week to have a good time. Setting fair courses is the key but it is also important not to forget that people want to enjoy themselves; a little humour goes a long way to achieving that,” said Paul.

Antigua Sailing Week - Day 4

Antigua Sailing Week - Day 4

In Bareboat 1, Alfred Geisser’s Swiss Dufour 455, KH+P Sea You Later had another excellent day on the water. Sea You Later has been unstoppable all week, winning five races. However, Trinidad’s Paul Solomon racing Where The Wild Things Are, finally managed to get past Sea You Later in Race 5 to win by just over a minute. With one race scheduled for tomorrow, KH+P Sea You Later has secured the class win but there is a tremendous battle for second place in Bareboat 1 between Thomas Priebus’ Cayenne, Paul Solomon’s Where The Wild Things and Herbert Munzel’s KH+P – L’Oiseau des Iles.

To celebrate their class win, See You Later’s crew threw Alfred Geisser into English Harbour after racing. “We have had a fantastic week, really enjoyable both at sea and on shore,” commented Alfred. “But today was really tricky because it was so difficult to decide if we should go inshore or offshore from the start. We will definitely be celebrating tonight!”

Until today, Christoph Nielsen’s German Jeanneau SO 44i KH+P Bageal had won every race.  However a fourth and a sixth today allowed several yachts to threaten its position at the top of Bareboat 2.  Garvey Colman’s Irish crew on Warvor had an excellent day coming second in both races and is now just two points behind the class leader. Alexander Pfeiffer is a veteran at Antigua Sailing Week but has an inexperienced crew on KH+P Balaou. The German team was delighted to take Line Honours in the last race to move up to third in class. Michael White’s Dundee had its best day of the regatta winning Race 5 and a third in Race 6 to move up to fourth.

The racing in the Bareboat fleet is extremely close and concentration in today’s light airs was paramount today. However, there is plenty of humour in the fleet. The sight of one of the young female crew stripping off on the last downwind leg and dancing on the coach roof definitely caused a few distractions and added a new meaning to the phrase – Bareboat Racing!

With one race scheduled for the last day of racing at Antigua Sailing Week, several class winners are now decided. Eduardo Wong Lu Vega’s Peruvian Sotto 48, Kuankun, has an unassailable lead in CSA 1. In CSA 3, Philip Lotz’s Swan 42, Arethusa won the last race today to seal class victory with a day to spare. In CSA 6, Geoffrey Pidduck’s Six-metre, Biwi Magic was again unstoppable, scoring her sixth straight bullet to win the class, regardless of tomorrow’s result. In CSA 7B, Sir Hugh Bailey’s CS40, Ugo has also managed six straight bullets and is class champion with a day to spare.

Friday, 3 May will feature the last day of racing at Antigua Sailing Week with several classes still in the balance and the decision on the winner of the coveted Lord Nelson still very much up for debate.

Antigua Sailing Week 2013: Tuesday party was a huge SPLASH

May 02, 2013

Antigua Sailing Week 2013, taking place in the fabulous Caribbean yacht charter destination Antigua, saw the biggest party night live up to all of the week’s lively expectations, from the beginning to the end.

SPLASH - THE OFFICIAL ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK PARTY - Photo by Ted Martin

SPLASH - THE OFFICIAL ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK PARTY - Photo by Ted Martin

On Tuesday night, the dockside of the Nelson’s Dockyard rumbled to life with incredible music from a mix of DJ’s and a live band as scores of people who packed an improvised dance floor covered in club lights danced through the night.

The featured acts of the night were Tian Winter and his Iconic band and DJ’s Private Ryan of Trinidad and Woogie of the United States.

The music offerings of the night got going with DJ Woogie, who spun tunes from all parts of his globe as he brought an entertaining international flavor to the fete.

By this time the dance floor was bouncing and the vibe had already spilled over unto the lawns which was already teeming with people. Long lines at the entrance was evidence that stocked bars were going to be under severe threat and that the entertainers to come could not disappoint.

Tian Winter, Antigua’s leading soca artist, backed by his Iconic band got the crowd dancing, responding to his every instruction to dance and throw hands in the air.

The night was far from over. The pace was nicely set by the Winter man, but what was to come is the stuff that Antigua Sailing Week memories are made of.

DJ Private Ryan took the temperature to even higher levels on a cool night, keeping the hundreds unmoved even as the showers threatened.

The crowd was sent into a frenzy as he went into his archives for some of the hits of years gone by and pleased visitors and locals alike with popular soca hits, the type which has gained him fame as a leading soca DJ.

With Tuesday night’s entertainment creating an heightened buzz, it was down to the beach on Wednesday for the traditional Lay Day activities.

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