New York Brief

New York Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

Clipper 11-12: Race 13 – Nova Scotia to Derry – Londonderry – Day 2

June 17, 2012

The fleet of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been battling the wind  for the past 24 hours in the North Atlantic, adapting to the everyday challenges of the ocean racing once again.

Clipper 11-12- Race 13 - Nova Scotia to Derry - Londonderry - Day 2

Clipper 11-12- Race 13 - Nova Scotia to Derry - Londonderry - Day 2

“It’s been a bouncy, wet and uncomfortable day on Welcome to Yorkshire today. Racing close-hauled at over 20 degrees of heel, on port tack in over 25 knots of true wind, has brought a dose of reality to all on board after the warm flat conditions of the past three races.

“Every movement and action takes not only planning, but three times the effort that it did before,” says Welcome to Yorkshire skipper, Rupert Dean.

The rough conditions have caused a lot of the crew members, who have swapped their day jobs for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail around the world, to be hit with sea sickness as they are re-adjusting to life on board.

In the last 24 hours the fleet has also split into two groups – a northerly and a southerly, with Visit Finland and New York opting to stay to the north of their other eight competitors, closer to the way point.

“We are hoping that our northerly route will allow us to stay above the fleet as we all tack for the way point, and essentially sail less miles. But a lot will depend on how the wind changes over the next couple of days and it will be interesting to see how things work out,” says Visit Finland skipper, Olly Osborne.

The Finnish entry has taken the lead overnight, while Gold Coast Australia has slipped into second and Welcome to Yorkshire is currently in third place.

The Clipper Race fleet still has more than 2000 miles to conquer, before arriving into Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland between 29 June and 1 July.

Clipper 11-12: Race 13 – Nova Scotia to Derry – Londonderry – Day 1

June 16, 2012

Following a short stopover in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the ten teams racing in the world’s longest ocean race have taken off for Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland taking part in the Race 13 of the 15 race, 40,000 mile circumnavigation – the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.

CLIPPER 11-12- RACE 13 - NOVA SCOTIA TO DERRY-LONDONDERRY - DAY 1 - image credit OnEdition

CLIPPER 11-12- RACE 13 - NOVA SCOTIA TO DERRY-LONDONDERRY - DAY 1 - image credit OnEdition

It was an exciting start to the 2,350-mile Atlantic crossing as the teams yesterday afternoon (GMT) lined up at the inshore start line with only minutes to spare. Aided by steady winds, as the gun sounded, all ten teams crossed together in a tightly packed charge out of the harbour with only metres between each yacht.

Jostling for position over competitors, each team has been using almost every sail in its wardrobe over the last 18 hours and as they head further into the Atlantic, choosing the right sail plan opens up the potential for some very fast sailing.

If you look at the Race Viewer on the Clipper Race website you can see the fleet is still packed with only seven miles separating the front and back runners. Gold Coast Australia is currently in the lead while Visit Finland is second and Singapore is in third place.

With the Clipper Race crew getting back into the routine of rough ocean racing, on board Derry-Londonderry, skipper Mark Light reports that the mind-set on board is focused on achieving its first win, and the first home port win in the race series.

“We are all fired up to get the most important result that we can. A first place, a yellow pennant, a home port win – a victory would be an amazing achievement. We will do everything that we possibly can to make the city proud on our journey across and it will be absolutely fantastic to sight the shores of Northern Ireland ahead of our arrival. We are most definitely coming home.”

The fleet is expected to arrive in Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland between 29 June and 1 July, where the UK City of Culture for 2013 will host a Clipper Race homecoming festival on behalf of the fleet from 29 June – 8 July.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race: Race 12 – Day 5: Highly tactical finale

June 11, 2012

As battle for a more advantageous leader board position comes to its end, Day 5 of Race 12 from New York to Nova Scotia in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race saw an exciting as well as highly tactical 24 hours for the ten strong fleet of 68-foot ocean racing yachts.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

There have been many changes in weather and race positions for the fleet. Each team has had their fair share of gains and losses in the variable winds which have seen them yo-yo through positions on the leader board.

At 05:31 UTC (02:31 local time) today Gold Coast Australia crossed the finish line for Race 12. In this close knit race from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where only 30 miles separate the fleet, each team has strived to choose the best tack to get the highest speeds over its rivals.

With a successful game plan that calculated the maximum use of the tides and winds, skipper Richard Hewson reports, “Shortly after sunset the breeze began to die away, and was a far cry from the predicted 16 knots from the north west.  As the evening went on the wind further reduced to five knots, varying from northerly to easterly direction and some severe choppy seas created by the wind over the tide.  We were almost stopped in the water only 15 miles from the finish.  Occasional gusts of wind enabled us to finally get the boat moving with some momentum to carry our way to cross the line.”

Visit Finland has claimed second place finishing at 10:42 UTC today, closely followed by Welcome to Yorkshire who arrived in Nova Scotia in third place at 11:12 UTC. Meanwhile, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital and Geraldton Western Australia are neck and neck with only seven miles until the finish line with New York and De Lage Landen hot on their heels.

If one looks at the overall race standings on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race website, he will see that Gold Coast Australia now has enough points to win the series. However, there is still all to play for as the Australian entry will not only be up against the opposing teams but 2,200 miles of the mighty Atlantic Ocean for Race 13 to Derry-Londonderry, NI.

Each team has a duty of care to its Clipper Race yacht and any damage or race rule breaking can see penalty points deducted from their overall score. With three more races to complete the potential to loose points still looms.

The penalty points for Leg 7 have now been announced by the Clipper Race Office and taking a sting is Singapore, who have received one penalty point for equipment damage, and Edinburgh Inspiring Capital who have had one point deducted for sail repair and two points for equipment damage.

The rest of the fleet is expected to cross the finish line within the next 12 hours. From there the teams will motor to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

Video of the Christensen mega yacht REMEMBER WHEN approaching NYC

June 11, 2012

Motor yacht Remember When is a spectacular 49.38m luxury vessel built by the prestigious shipyard Christensen and launched in 2010. Boasting contemporary interior designed by Carol Williams and Associates, charter yacht Remember When accommodates 12 guests in 4 luxuriously appointed double staterooms and 2 equally beautiful twin cabins.

Luxury Yacht Remember When - Profile

Luxury Yacht Remember When - Profile

This video was created by the crew on Remember When superyacht.  It shows what it is like to arrive in New York Harbor on a mega yacht and dock at Dennis Conner’s North Cove.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race: Race 12 – Day 4: A sprint for the finish line

June 10, 2012

The ten-strong fleet of racing yachts participating in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race went through another night of competitive racing. With just over 100 miles until race finish in Nova Scotia, the fleet continue to fight to win podium position as well as vital points.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

“The fleet is locked in a closely fought tactical battle,” is how the skipper of the Welcome to Yorkshire entry described Race 12 from New York to Nova Scotia. The British entry is currently in third place, currently only one mile separates them and fourth place Singapore.

Gold Coast Australia continues to retain their lead after experiencing some near perfect sailing conditions by the northern part of Georges Bank, at the edge of the Atlantic continental shelf between Cape Cod and Nova Scotia, “At midnight the tide finally turned for us and our speed over ground increased to match that of the other yachts, catapulting us towards Browne’s Bank where we hope to gain another tidal advantage to help maintain our lead over the yachts to the west,” explains skipper, Richard Hewson.

All ten of the racing yachts are fiercely competing to make gains on each other. However, it hasn’t been perfect sailing for the whole fleet as variable wind conditions continue to frustrate New York and De Lage Landen, while Geraldton Western Australia has been experiencing frustrating counter currents hampering their speed and slowing down their progress.

The lead yachts are expected to cross the finish line within the next 12 hours from there the teams will motor to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, arriving at approximately 0800 local time (1100 GMT).

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race: Race 12 – Day 3: A battle for crucial points

June 09, 2012

Day 3 of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race saw another day of competitive, tactical sailing for the ten-strong fleet of 68-foot racing yachts participating in the world’s longest race, as the battle for crucial points in the final leg of the race is high on everyone’s mind.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Stuart Jackson, skipper of the De Lage Landen captured the tension within the fleet, ‘The incredibly close racing is keeping everyone on their toes; we have been in sight of most of the fleet for the day. The wind has finally started filling in so we have had some great spinnaker sailing since early this afternoon.”

Race 12, the 600-mile sprint to Halifax, Nova Scotia is shaping up to be one of the closest yet. Gold Coast Australia is currently in first place with only four miles separating them and second place Visit Finland, which is neck and neck with third place Singapore.

Richard Hewson, skipper on Gold Coast Australia who is first on the overall leader board, is taking full advantage of the good weather to train the new crew members ahead of race finish in Nova Scotia, “We have been coaching the new crew members since we left New York to bring them up to speed for the remainder of the race. The mild conditions create a fantastic training platform and everybody remains fit to enjoy the sailing.”

The Clipper Race fleet is expected to arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 11-12 June and will be berthed at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race: Day 2 – Race 12 well underway after a competitive Le Mans start in New York

June 08, 2012

With a competitive ‘Le Mans’-style start of the ten-strong fleet of 68-foot ocean racing yachts out of the Hudson River in New York at 2341 UTC yesterday, Race 12 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is now well underway.

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

Following the start off Ambrose Lighthouse, Singapore skipper, Ben Bowley, reports, “We have just completed a very picturesque Le Mans start sailing away from the setting sun to kick off Leg 8. Our initial course whilst getting in position, put the boats on a beam reach. However, as soon as the gun went, preparations were underway throughout the fleet to ensure that once the first ten minutes of racing were complete, kites could be hoisted. Almost as one, ten kites inflated and the fleet surged forward; most choosing the medium weight and some choosing the lightweight. We are all now trimming fiendishly to get a little advantage over our competitors who remain within a few boat lengths.”

Gold Coast Australia and Visit Finland are currently leading the way, whilst New York and Derry-Londonderry play catch up after an unsuccessful sail change at the start caused them to lose miles on their rivals.

As the teams settle back into life at sea thoughts about the amazing visit to New York are now turning to what lies ahead and with local winds forecast to shift, the approach to Halifax, Nova Scotia will be highly tactical in a bid to eek out extra miles.

To add to the challenge Stealth Mode periods, Scoring Gate and Ocean Sprint points do not apply in this short 800-mile race, turning the heat up on the tightly packed teams to secure those all-important podium points.

The Clipper Race fleet is expected to arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 11-12 June and will be berthed at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

Clipper 11-12 Round The World Race: Race 12 – Day 1 New York to Nova Scotia

June 08, 2012

Following the recent stopover in New York with a great amount of sponsorship activity, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet is moving towards the start line of the Race 12 to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Clipper 11-12 Round The World Race

Clipper 11-12 Round The World Race - Race 12 - Day 1

Subject to weather conditions, the ten 68-foot internationally sponsored yachts will have a ‘Le Mans’ style start at 0130 GMT (Friday), out of the Hudson to the site of the Ambrose Lighthouse, where they will wait for a signal from appointed lead skipper Gareth Glover, and hoist their sails as quickly as possible to steal a march on their competitors. The Race Viewer on the Clipper Race website will start, once the fleet starts racing.

“The start to Leg 8 will be challenging, especially as Race 13 is so short. It’s going to be tough to get a good lead, but that’s what we’re focused on right now,” said the New York skipper ahead of departure.

The overall leader board in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is incredibly close, with yacht Gold Coast Australia in the lead with 113 points followed by De Lage Landen and sailing yacht Visit Finland. Currently only nine points separate Visit Finland in third and Singapore in fourth place and it is the same further down the leader board.

For the crew, consisting of non-professional sailors from all walks of life, today’s departure from New York marks the beginning of the final leg home after nearly ten months at sea. Despite having already raced more than 35,000 miles there is still all to play for, with four very different races to go with shorter races and a final ocean crossing.

Round the world crew member from sailing yacht Gold Coast Australia, Lisa Blair, said, “It’s really sad to be starting this race too. I can’t believe it’s almost over as you do make lifelong lasting friends and the race we have done around the globe has had a huge impact on me, so I’m definitely going to miss it. For now, we aren’t talking about it on board, as we get too emotional!”

The Clipper Race fleet is expected to arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 11-12 June and will be berthed at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.

40m motor yacht TATS (ex Loretta Anne IV, Allogante) by Alloy Yachts visits Dennis Conner’s North Cove

June 07, 2012

Taking up a berth on the north wall, the 40m (131′) motor yacht TATS (ex Loretta Anne IV, Allogante) arrived at Dennis Conner’s North Cove superyacht marina in NYC yesterday morning. Launched by the respected NZ builder Alloy Yachts in 2009, TATS superyacht represents an aura of distinction as well as style. She features beautiful exterior by Dubois Naval Architects, while her amazing interior is by Donald Starkey Designs.

40m Alloy superyacht TATS (ex Loretta Anne IV, Allogante) anchored at Dennis Conner's North Cove in NYC

40m Alloy superyacht TATS (ex Loretta Anne IV, Allogante) anchored at Dennis Conner's North Cove in NYC

Accommodation aboard the Alloy superyacht TATS is provided in 5 luxurious and comfortable staterooms. These comprise a master stateroom located forward of the saloon on the main deck and fitted with a separate office, walk-in wardrobe, extensive bookshelves as well as his and hers marble bathrooms. Additional four guest staterooms can be found on the lower deck. All of these provide marble bathrooms, climate control, television sets, entertainment systems and telephones. The fourth stateroom is equipped as a gymnasium, but can be converted to an additional cabin, if desired. TATS carries a professional crew of 5, sleeping in three crew cabins, all with en suites.

Boasting a midnight blue hull, the 40m (131′) luxury yacht TATS (ex Loretta Anne IV, Allogante) is powered by twin Caterpillar c32 C-rated 1400 hp diesels, enabling her to achieve a top speed of 16 kntos, with a comfortable cruising speed of 12.5 knots.

Dennis Conner’s North Cove hosts Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet

June 06, 2012

For the third year running, the Dennis Conner’s North Cove superyacht marina in NYC is pleased to host the ten boat Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet this week. The boats are impressive 72 ft yachts, racing around the world from port to port.

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet at Dennis Conner's North Cove

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Fleet at Dennis Conner's North Cove

There is a great amount of activity around the docks. Each boat is crewed by 18 sailors. Tuesday is change over day with some of the old crew depart and new crew arrives. On Sunday, the fleet did their own mini-parade from the Statue of Liberty to North Cove to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

What makes this race unique is that the crew is made up of average people who decide to go for it. They buy a spot for one or more legs and then head off to sea!

The Clipper Fleet will stay in the marina until Thursday when the race restarts.

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