Elliot 6m is going to the Games

The Elliot 6m has been chosen by ISAF as equipment for the 2012 Olympics.
1) Congratulations to Greg Elliot.
2)Still no multihull.
3) At the same meeting women sailors got stuck with the 470 instead of the 29er - boring.
4) Why do they call boats equipment, they are boats?
More here.

CELEBRATION AS ERICSSON 4 WINS LEG ONE

Leg One winner is in. Click the headline for the press release.

Latest is Puma is finished, the regular reports are here.

Hugo Boss, the state of play

Press release from the Vendee Globe.

The repairs to the side of the boat are now complete and the final touches are being made to the inside of the hull. On Thursday evening, it will be time for the painting with the boat due to leave the yard on Friday morning at seven. The mast is currently being cooked; the standing rigging should arrive on Thursday to be fitted on Friday morning. Concerning the logistics, everything appears to be falling into place, in spite of a very tight schedule. The goal is to get the boat back in the water on Saturday.

Ericsson 4 has broken the 24-hour VOR Record

Three times, and it's still going up as they ride the depression to Capetown



"It has been fantastic to achieve the record. The wind has been perfect at about 30k and we have a good angle. However, the problem is the waves, especially in the middle of the night as there is no moon and it is very difficult to read the them, so the boat has been jumping about. If the sea state was better we could go faster," commented an exhilarated Torben Grael this afternoon.

Click the headline for on board photos.

VOR start

The 2008 VOR got underway last night NZ time. I'm putting all the press releases and photos here ( too much for the home page), and as always readers are welcome to add comments.
For real diehard fans try the race website.

L'Hydroptere Sails 52.86kn

©martin-raget

The magnificent french foiler has sailed at 52.86kn. This is a peak speed, to get the record they have to hold it for 500m, but that should take nothing away from their achievement, and I don't believe they are finished yet.
L'Hydroptere website.

Volvo Inshore Race

Click the headline for the media release on the first race. Go here for video.

50.57Kn at Luderitz

I can't keep up with these guys, in more ways than one. Click Here.

50.26 KNOTS!!!!

While the "boats" are in various states of disarray and repair, the simplicity of a man on a board has won the day. Sebastien Cattelan of France is claiming a new world speed record under sail after a spectacular run at Luderitz in Namibia (subject to the usual ratification stuff).

Update just got this in my email:

Dave... breaking news in Luderitz last night a new outright world record (still to be ratified by WSSRC) 50.26 knot 500m to Sebastien Cattelan of France with stronger winds forecast for tomorrow! The Catman as he is locally known hit max speeds of 58 knots with a 250m average of over 54 knots!

Check the website.

Volvo Ocean Race

Race start is scheduled for October 4th, that's tomorrow, but on the other side of the dateline so Sunday for us. And to add to the disappointment they aren't going anywhere, it's an "in port race", which I read as an excuse to give the sponsors some more exposure, nothing to do with an around the world race. The "real" race starts next week.
I like the boats, have respect for the sailors and wish them well, but this event now belongs to the commercial interests of the sponsors, time to give it back to the sailors.