Sailing for Life

The Gitana IV has been sold to a buyer with the introduction done by Barney Sandeman representing the Sandeman Yacht Company. This classic sailing yacht of 27.58 meters was listed for sale by Horsley at the Edmiston and Company. The Gitana IV was structured by the well-known yard from Italy, Sangermani, famous for its in-house design of yachts. It was built entirely of planks made of mahogany on Iroko frames.

 

 

It was delivered for the first time like a classic yawl in the year 1962. This yacht is renowned because she was commissioned by Baron Edmond de Rothschild. She also won various regattas which include the Fastnet Race. She made a record at that race that was unbroken for more than 19 years.

Continue reading The Sale of Gitana IV Sailing Yacht

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One of the exciting water races is that of the foiling cats and these are seen in the waters when SailGP event is held. It is known to have some of the fastest racing boats of catamaran category. The event this year is about to start from Sydney, Australia. The inaugural program will be held soon and the main races will commence in the second week of February. This year’s event sees six national level teams competing in identical foiling vessels. These are 50 feet in length and can move at speed of 50 knots or more.

As there are about 18 days left for the race, France team has already unveiled their boat at the Sydney Harbor. It is a new catamaran design, F50, which is one of the fastest and technologically most advanced. This race boat is also a sight to see in this world racing tournament. The event would kick off around 15th of February. This vessel would be the first of its kind and hence it is proudly announcing its presence with blue livery and holding high their country flag. The first leg would start off from Sydney Harbor and there would be a global audience to witness the race. The French team is skippered by Billy Besson who, along with his team, would be showcasing performance of this new category of vessel.

They would be aided by an onshore crew skippered by Yoann Bibeau. They would prepare the boat, assemble the same and trim it before the onboard team arrives. They commented that there is a lot of work to be done since the assembling takes time, especially with the hydraulic and electronic systems that need to adhere to the one-design rule on all six boats. Hence, the teams need to coordinate and focus to come on the same footing.

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It was on Friday that the race conditions got a little harder, and the schedule faced a significant threat to not only the racers but to the racing committee as well. The racers faced a lot of problems because they had to face winds which touched around 40 – 50 knots in a single day.

It was in these challenging weather conditions, the order of the teams that were placed did not change much from the previous day. It was the three people who dominated the race. The weather did not change much in the morning as well. Several showers of rain suddenly arrived in the morning and this caused the committee of the race to re-schedule and delay the start of the play. It was being said that it was very clear that the winds were much higher than the previous day and there were patches where racing was exceptionally difficult to even the most skillful of racers.
Continue reading St. Barth Cata Cup – Day 2: Right Side Up And Upside Down

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The around the world Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) leg 3 was like hell for the sailors. The big waves and cold water make sailing quite dramatic. The sailing boats went close to 90 degrees as the teams tried to manoeuvre the waves. As the waves were rattling them, the water was gushing onto the deck and it was very cold. The wipeout was terrifying for the men on the Volvo Ocean 65 racing boats.

In the Leg 3, wipeouts were constant due to the very strong winds the team faced in the seemingly mountainous seas. The water was salty and everywhere, on the deck, pouring onto them, their eyes, everywhere.
Continue reading VOR LEG 3 WAS HELL FOR SAILORS

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Many feel that sailing is losing its variety, there can be danger, and frustration in the sport as well as it can be expensive, painful. However, one should not forget that they are doing it for fun and for the spirit behind the sport that drives every enthusiast and professional. For those who race small boats, they usually equate fun with wins. But that can be a high bar to set, especially when a single boat takes the crown in any regatta. Some fleets make good of competitive sailing event and some are balanced so that everyone gets to have fun when they finish a race. However, the main spirit of fun is often ignored, of how we have fun when we spend time on the boats with family and friends as well as enjoy the waters and the surrounding conditions.

 

There was a race held in this spirit by Severn Sailing Association. Described as the distance race, the principle of the race was set such that different sailing vessels of diverse classes such as J/22s, Lasers, Daysailors, Laser Radials, Sunfish and others started to race at different times and the intent of the race was that every vessel will reach back at the same time. The course was set along the Severn River in a northwesterly direction. There was a solid breeze that provided positive effects, though it was a bit too strong for the lighter vessels. While the sailors sailed in the wonderful weather, the supporters on the beach kept up the hot dogs and hamburgers on the grills so that the sailors could have a hearty meal after they reached back. Many had pot luck dishes while there was a buffet laid out as well with several side dishes and dessert items. The event surely gave a feeling of joy to everyone.

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