Monday, March 30, 2020
IMOCA Open 60, VOR65 - The Ocean Race 2021/22
In an interview with the Race Director Richard Mason by Richard Gladwell, editor Sail-World, details on the Ocean Race organization are being revealed. Two weeks ago, the route with the planned ports of call was presented, the groundwork for the detailed event planning and site setup in the coming 18 months before the start. Here comes part 1 of a 5-part-series.
France is undoubtedly the heart of offshore sail racing, an attractive playing field for a large community of professional and amateur sailors. Well run and initiative Class Organisations (Figaro, IMOCA, 650Mini, etc) ensure potential major sponsors that their investments are paying and sustainable. On top of this - and key - are race organisers such as 
Despite limited training opportunities, preparations for the 
A few days ago, we promised to put together an entertainment program with sailing (or sea) films during the Corona crisis, an obvious intention that other sailing portals also have been taking up. ----- 
The official film about the first Whitbread Round the World Race has been digitalised recently. Winner was the Swan 65 'Sayula II' of Ramon Carlin MEX, who finished the race in 133 days. 17 teams participated. 3 sailors lost their live at sea. ----- The 
No sailracing on the water, but interesting and challenging virtual sailing websites help a little bit to overcome the time away from our beloved sport during the Corona pandemia weeks. ----- E.g a virtual transatlantic race from La Rochelle FRA to Curaçao in the Caribbeans. There are four boat classes to choose from (Ultime, Open 60, Class 40, Figaro 3), and elite sailors like Samantha Davis GBR, Jérémy Beyou FRA, Boris Herrmann GER and Armel Le Cléac'h FRA join you as prominent opponents. The race should last around a week. ----- The 
Offshore sailing is also concerned by the Corona Crisis. The start to the Figaro 3 Transat Regatta, planned for April 19, has been postponed without a new date. ----- The 
Four years ago, the 23-year-old Alan Roura SUI participated in the Vendée Globe with a 16-year-old boat - the legendary 'Superbigou' of Bernard Stamm SUI - as the youngest participant of all time and surprised with a 12th place. Now, he will be taking part in the 2020/21 Vendée in November with a somewhat newer Open 60 equipped with foils. His goal is to complete the circumnavigation in less than 80 days, which would have given him the 5th place four years ago. To prepare for this, two transatlantic races are on the program this summer (if they take place!). ----- The 
Yesterday, the Swiss 'Rösti Sailing Team' with Valentin Gautier SUI and Simon Koster SUI presented its program for the 2020 season. During the winter months, their boat was further optimized based on the experiences of the first season. The highlight of the season will be the Transat Quebec CAN-St.Malo FRA at the end of July. The race format requires a crew of at least 3 people. The offshore-experienced Justine Mettraux SUI will be an excellent addition to the male double ...... the Swiss offshore elite on one boat ! ----- The Class 40 will be transferred to Quebec end of May. ----- The 
Exactly 30 years ago, the first Vendée Globe came to an end in Les Sables d'Olonne. Back then, Titouan Lamazou FRA was 17 hours ahead of Loick Peyron FRA. Jean-Luc Van der Heede FRA followed in 3rd place. 
The 600-mile race through the Caribbeans is drawing to a close. Meanwhile, 47 of the 59 monohulls remaining in the race have reached the finish line, the last one this morning being the First 47.7 'Kali' with Benedikt Clauberg SUI, the only Swiss team at the start. In the 
