Racing

By Adam Loory, General Manager, UK Sailmakers International Those of us at UK Sailmakers, as is the case with most sailmaking companies, have been working with sailors and sailing organizations to grow our sport through the development of new forms of racing that are both fun and accessible. Many people have told me they don’t race more because getting crew is such a problem. Reflecting that statistic, the number of boats competing in doublehanded distance races has…

Photos by Rich LaBella, RJLaBellaPhotos.com The 25th edition of the Peconic Bay Sailing Association’s Twin Forks classic on Saturday, September 29 proved to be another memorable experience for the 70+ boats that crossed the starting line. Hundreds of East End sailors were looking forward to a beautiful day of sailing in 10- to 12-knot winds. That’s what the forecast said. It was to be what I call a PHRF day. In other words, sailboats sailing in conditions…

Twenty-four sailors with adaptive needs gathered in Oyster Bay, NY for the third annual Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta, which was hosted by Sagamore Yacht September 28 – 30. The WaterFront Center donated their Sonars for use in the event, and Warrior Sailing Program rigged them with the adaptive equipment. Five-time U.S. Match Racing Champion Dave Perry and America’s Cup legend Dave Dellenbaugh gave the competitors a crash course on match racing, from the basics all the way…

Ninety-one teams from 18 different countries competed in the 2018 West Marine J/70 World Championship, hosted by Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA September 22 – 29. The depth of talent in the fleet was unprecedented, with Olympic gold medalists, America’s Cup winners and world champions duking it out in 11 fiercely competitive races.   There was a fairy tale ending for Jud Smith, who was born and raised in Marblehead. The intensity of the battle was such…

By Ron Weiss The Storm Trysail Foundation’s 2018 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) enjoyed reasonably good sailing conditions on October 6 & 7. Conditions were gray and misty but with winds that, albeit shifty, were generally 6 to 10 knots for the five-race series, which was hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY. Sailing a variety of keelboats generously loaned to the event, 47 teams duked it out on Long Island Sound.   “The wind was solid…

If you want your mark roundings to be quick and safe, there are certain strategies that work almost every time. For example, you should round each mark close enough that you could reach out and touch it. You should locate the next mark visually before you round this one. And you should definitely develop a strategic plan for the next leg before you round any mark.

We had quite a few challenges on Jason Carroll’s new MOD70 trimaran Argo. First and foremost, the boat was purchased just three weeks prior to the race and was in Lorient, France.

On July 12 & 13, 2018, 51 teams of sailors between the ages of 12 and 18 raced their Club 420s in the Fourth Annual Dinghy Race by Volvo Construction Equipment.

Same starting line, different choice. Every time you must make a decision, the level of risk varies and so does your interest in assuming risk. The important thing is to be aware of your big-picture situation so the choices you make will match your overall risk strategy. This is especially important at the start.

I think the Optimist stinks as an early trainer. Here is why. Like all sports, we are introducing our kids to sailing at a younger and younger age. It used to be 9 years old, and now programs start as young as 6. What does a typical 9 year old like? They tend to like other kids and want to be in close proximity to them. They don’t like to be scared. They don’t really have a handle on “seamanship” nor, unless they are gifted, the physics of sailing. And finally, sad to say, they may be a bit more spoiled than prior generations and like quick satisfaction (digital!) so menial chores, like bailing, turn them off more quickly.