SailGP and Vendee Globe news
by David Schmidt
SailGP Season 5, Vendee Globe, and Sailing Grand Slam news While much of the global sailing news cycle is (rightly) focused on the Vendee Globe fleet, which left Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on November 10 bound for a planetary lap via the three great capes, SailGP is also having a moment.
Posted on 19 Nov Pondering the caffeine habits of the Vendee fleet
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt admits he's a stone-cold coffee addict As my burr grinder reduced my dark-roast Sumatra beans to the right grind, I couldn't help but consider that the 40 skippers who just began the Vendee Globe race won't have this luxury (or many, many others) for months.
Posted on 12 Nov Anticipating the 2024-2025 Vendee Globe
by David Schmidt
Vendee Globe, Sydney Hobart, Bermuda Gold Cup, and the International Women's Championship news The winds that we're experiencing today in Bellingham, Washington, will be mere table stakes for the 40 brave skippers contesting the 2024-2025 singlehanded Vendee Globe Race as they wend their way around our lonely planet by way of the three great capes.
Posted on 5 Nov Kiwis defend the Auld Mug
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at Emirates Team New Zealand winning the 37th America's Cup Fittingly, the 37th America's Cup was decided by a final finish-line delta of 37 seconds. ETNZ demonstrated that they had the speed, boathandling, and strategy and tactics to lift the Auld Mug for a third consecutive time.
Posted on 22 Oct Angela Krisinger on the SYC's Grand Prix Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Angela Krisinger about the Seattle Yacht Club's 2024 Grand Prix Regatta Sail-World checked in with Angela Krisinger, regatta chair of the Seattle Yacht Club's 2024 Grand Prix Regatta, via email, to learn more about this competitive Pacific Northwest keelboat regatta.
Posted on 22 Oct Jenny Decker on her solo circumnavigation
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Jenny Decker about her solo circumnavigation Sail-World checked in with Jenny Decker, who is sailing alone around the world despite suffering from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, via email, to learn more about her adventure and Guinness Book of World Records attempt.
Posted on 10 Oct J/24 and ORC Worlds, LVC Finals, Women's AC
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective Few things are more inspiring than seeing someone accomplish something that they had to fight long and hard to achieve, and that required a massive amount of commitment.
Posted on 8 Oct Dan Jarrett on the 2024 Hobie 17 and Hobie 18 NAs
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Dan Jarrett about the 2024 Hobie 17 and Hobie 18 North American Championships Sail-World checked in with Dan Jarrett, who serves as regatta chair for the 2024 Hobie 17 and Hobie 18 North American Championships, via email, to learn more about this high-level multihull event.
Posted on 3 Oct Trin Ollinger on the RS Aero US Women's Nationals
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt checks in with the regatta co-chair Sail-World checked in with Trin Ollinger, who serves as regatta co-chair for the 2024 RS Aero Women's National Championship, via email, to learn more about this high-level women's-only event.
Posted on 2 Oct Jay Leon and Keith Whittemore on the J/24 Words
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Jay Leon and Keith Whittemore about the 2024 J/24 World Championship Sail-World checked in with Jay Leon, press officer of the 2024 J/24 Worlds, and Keith Whittemore, 2019 and 2023 J/24 world champion skipper and assistant regatta chair, via email, to learn more about this world-class one-design regatta.
Posted on 25 Sep J/70s, Louis Vuitton Cup, IC73s and Hobie 16s
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current North American racing news The regatta was all about Old Glory. No, not the Louis Vuitton Cup - we'll get there - but rather the 2024 J/70 Worlds (September 13-22), which was hosted by the Real Club Nautico de Palma, in Baleares, Spain.
Posted on 24 Sep Christopher Dutton on the 2024 Hobie 16 NAs
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Christopher Dutton about the 2024 Hobie 16 North American Sail-World checked in with Christopher Dutton, who serves as commodore of the Rhode Island-based Hobie Fleet 448, via email, to learn more about the 2024 Hobie 16 North American Championships.
Posted on 11 Sep 2024 is delivering the goods
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective Way back in January, Sail-World advised that 2024 would be a year marked by an embarrassment of sailing riches, and so far the year has been living up to these words.
Posted on 10 Sep Craig Perez on the 2024 RS Aero North Americans
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Craig Perez about the 2024 RS Aero North American Championship Sail-World checked in with Craig Perez, regatta chair of the 2024 RS Aero North American Championship, via email, to learn more about this high-level one-design regatta.
Posted on 3 Sep Duane Farrar on the 2024 Boston Blind Open Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Duane Farrar about the 2024 Boston Blind Open Regatta Sail-World checked in with Duane Farrar, who is the founder of the Boston Blind Open Regatta, and a three-time U.S. Blind Sailing national champion, via email, to learn more about the 2024 Boston Blind Open Regatta.
Posted on 28 Aug A look at the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta
by David Schmidt
Some cards revealed at the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta Cast your mind back to the depths of the pandemic winter of 2020/2021. There wasn't a heck of a lot to be happy about or to look forward to, with the lone exception of the America's Cup, which was contested on the waters off Auckland, New Zealand.
Posted on 27 Aug Ambre Hasson debriefs her Classe Mini 2024 season
by David Schmidt
Debriefing the 2024 Classe Mini season with Franco American skipper Ambre Hasson Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, to debrief her 2024 Classe Mini season as she works towards next year's Mini Transat 2025.
Posted on 27 Aug Andy Bigham on the Rocket Intergalactics Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Andy Bigham about the 2024 Rocket Intergalactics Regatta Sail-World checked in with Andy Bigham, who serve as event chair of the Beverly Yacht Club's 2024 Rocket Intergalactics Regatta, to learn more about this one-design event.
Posted on 20 Aug Greg Raybon on the 2024 Sandy Hook Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Greg Raybon about the 2024 Sandy Hook Regatta Sail-World checked in with Greg Raybon, event chair of the 2024 Sandy Hook Regatta, via email, to learn more about this exciting multihull event.
Posted on 14 Aug Sailing results from the Paris 2024 Olympics
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective Without a doubt, the Paris 2024 Olympics were a huge success. Fans of Olympic competition got to see some of the greatest athletes performing at their highest level, while the less athletically inclined got to revel in the human stories behind the medals.
Posted on 13 Aug Ben Wells on the FWC's 2024 Wave 100
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Ben Wells about the Formula Wave Class's inaugural Wave 100 Sail-World checked in with Ben Wells, who serve as race chair of the Formula Wave Class's inaugural Wave 100, to learn more about this exciting multi-stage multihull event.
Posted on 7 Aug Chris Arscott and Adrian Gray on WorldStar 2026
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Chris Arscott and Adrian Gray about the Royal Western Yacht Club's WorldStar 2026 Sail-World checked in with Chris Arscott and Adrian Gray, who serve as the Royal Western Yacht Club's commodore and race director of the RWYC's WorldStar 2026 and as the RWYC's vice commodore (respectively), to learn more about this exciting race.
Posted on 1 Aug Sailing at the Paris 2024 Olympics
by David Schmidt
Current results and scheduling The Olympics represent the best of international sports, and the Paris 2024 Olympics are poised to be no exception. Thirty-three sailing medals will be awarded across ten different events, with all medal races set to conclude by Thursday, August 8.
Posted on 30 Jul Travis Gregory on the Ultimate 20 North Americans
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Travis Gregory on the 2024 Ultimate 20 North Americans Sail-World checked in with Travis Gregory, who serves as president of the Ultimate 20 class, via email, to learn more about the class's 2024 North American Championships.
Posted on 17 Jul Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
An update Q&A with Ambre Hasson ahead of the Sables - Les Açores - Sables 2024 Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, as she works towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the third of four interviews with the American Classe Mini skipper as she progresses through four double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 16 Jul SailGP Championships & looking ahead to Paris 2024
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current North American racing news One of the most interesting storylines in SailGP's Season 4 has been the question of whether the Australia SailGP Team could clench a fourth-straight season championship. Instead, bragging rights went to the Spanish.
Posted on 16 Jul Marnie McLagan and Diane Looney on the H Class
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Marnie McLagan and Diane Looney about the 2024 H Class Championships Sail-World checked in with Marnie McLagan and Dianne Looney, who serve as the Edgartown Yacht Club's H12 Fleet co-captains, via email, to learn more about this exciting and historic regatta.
Posted on 11 Jul Gaby Cumbie on the StABYC's recovery efforts
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Gaby Cumbie on the St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club's recovery efforts Sail-World checked in with Gaby Cumbie, who is a member of the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, via email, to learn more about the club's post-fire recovery efforts.
Posted on 2 Jul Sailing accomplishments from Bermuda to Alaska
by David Schmidt
And looking forward to the Paris 2024 Games As the United States prepares to celebrate its 248th birthday, the sailing world is also rife with accomplishments to celebrate and world-class events to look forward to.
Posted on 2 Jul Charlie Usher on the Firecracker and M15 regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Charlie Usher about the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta Sail-World checked in with Charlie Usher, who serves as event chair of the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.
Posted on 20 Jun A look at the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at North American racing When it comes to classic 600-mile bluewater races, the biennial Newport Bermuda Race is one of the world's great offshore contests.
Posted on 18 Jun Will Jones and Justin Barnes on their 49er dreams
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Will Jones and Justin Barnes about their 49er campaign for the 2024 Olympics Sail-World checked in with Will Jones and Justin Barnes, who are representing Canada in the 49er event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about their campaign.
Posted on 18 Jun Bill Souter on the latest from MarsKeel
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Bill Souter on the latest from MarsKeel Sail-World checked in with Bill Souter, who serve as MarsKeel's technical keel specialist, to learn more about MarsKeel's keel-building operations and business.
Posted on 11 Jun David Collins on the 2024 J/111 North Americans
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with David Collins about the 2024 J/111 North American Championship Sail-World checked in with David Collins, who is serving as co-chair of the 2024 J/111 North American Championship, via email, to learn more about this championship-level keelboat regatta.
Posted on 4 Jun Reflecting on a great spring season
by David Schmidt
Celebrating a great spring racing season Things happen a bit differently in the Pacific Northwest. Take our sailing calendar. While the season is in full swing in most parts of North America, the bigger races on Puget Sound wrapped up with last weekend's Blake Island Race.
Posted on 4 Jun John Proctor on the Lake Erie Thistle Championship
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with John Proctor about the 2024 Lake Erie Thistle District Championship Sail-World checked in with John Proctor, who serves as regatta chair of the 2024 Lake Erie Thistle District Championship, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.
Posted on 30 May Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
An update Q&A with Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, as she works towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the second of four interviews with the American Classe Mini skipper as she progresses through six double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 25 May Introducing Paris 2024 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team
by David Schmidt
Celebrating and introducing the sailors off to Marseille shortly For fans of U.S. Olympic sailing, the past several quadrennials have been a nosebleed, at best. Despite this history, however, the USA has fielded a young-but-hopefully-competitive team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Posted on 21 May James Clarkson on the 2024 I14 Nationals
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with James Clarkson on the 2024 International 14 U.S. Nationals Sail-World checked in with James Clarkson, president of the International 14 class, via email, to learn more about this high-level skiff regatta.
Posted on 14 May Celebrating throughlines in sailing leadership
by David Schmidt
And the sailing world's newest hero Back in mid-March, Sail-World celebrated singlehanded American skipper Cole Brauer as the sailing world's newest hero. Now, I'm now happy to report that we have another sailing hero, albeit one who carries a British passport.
Posted on 7 May The Lewin-LaFrance sisters on their Olympic dreams
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance on their 49erFX campaign for Paris 2024 Sail-World checked in with sisters Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance, who are representing Canada in the 49erFX event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about their campaign.
Posted on 7 May Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton on the 70th annual Mug
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton on the 70th annual Mug Race Sail-World checked in with Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton, who serve as race organizers, via email, to learn more about this 38-nautical-mile river race.
Posted on 1 May A lesson in staying cool, calm, and collected
by David Schmidt
Staying cool, calm, and collected on the 2024 Blakely Rock Benefit Race The table was set for a feast: a 12-14 knot northerly combed Puget Sound, accompanied by blue skies and sunshine. But an hour before of our start for the Blakely Rock Benefit Race, DC power stopped flowing from the boat's lithium-ion batteries.
Posted on 23 Apr An interview with Colligo Marine's John Franta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A on their involvement with the Tally Ho Sail-World checked in with John Franta, founder, co-owner, and lead engineer at Colligo Marine, to learn more about the company's latest happenings, and to find out more about their involvement with the Tally Ho project.
Posted on 23 Apr Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin on the SCIR
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin on the 2024 St Croix International Regatta Sail-World checked in with Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin, who serve as the regatta's sailing chair and continuity coordinator (respectively), via email, to learn more.
Posted on 16 Apr Olympic qualifications and athlete selection
by David Schmidt
Country qualifications and athlete selection ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics In January, I wrote about 2024 being a year with an embarrassment of sailing riches. Last week's Trofea S.A.R. Princesa Sofia Regatta helped determine the American, Canadian, and Mexican sailors who represent their countries at this summer's Olympics.
Posted on 9 Apr Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Ambre Hasson about her Classe Mini campaign Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, who is working towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the first of four interviews with the Hasson as she progresses through six double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 2 Apr Nikola Girke on her 2024 Olympic Campaign
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Nikola Girke on her 2024 Olympic Campaign Sail-World checked in with Nikola Girke, who is working to represent Canada in the Women's iQFoil event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about her campaign ahead of this week's critical Princess Sofia Regatta.
Posted on 1 Apr Pat Bailey on the St. Thomas International Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Pat Bailey on the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta Sail-World checked in with Pat Bailey, who is the co-director of the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta and a longtime regatta veteran, via email, to learn more about the 50th edition of this classic Caribbean spring regatta.
Posted on 26 Mar SailGP, Ultims, and Global Solo Challenge
by David Schmidt
For a two-day regatta, a lot of action went down at last weekend's SailGP Christchurch event For a two-day regatta, a lot of action went down at last weekend's SailGP Christchurch event (March 22 and 23), which took place on the waters of New Zealand's Lyttelton Harbour.
Posted on 26 Mar