November-December 2024

Amazing? Sure. The professionalism of the teams, the astounding level of thought, effort and yes, the money spent, that was put into the boats and everything surrounding them, from the branding to the crew equipment to the support craft, to the base camps were truly impressive. The modern era, post-12 Metre, has seen the professionalism curve go continuously upward. But this edition, with its add-ons like a Women’s and Junior America’s Cup, sailed in one-design foiling monohulls,…

Editor’s note: We are sad to report the passing of the father of our friend and longtime contributor Tom Darling. Wells Anderson Darling, marine industry executive, yachtsman, devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away on September 25 at his home in Exeter, NH at the age of 96. His wife, Mary Will Boone Darling, his four children, Tom Darling, Molly Darling, Wendy Darling Lotz and Bill Darling, his nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren survive him. Born…

To Whom It May Concern, Hello, my name is Heather Rose Tholen. I was given a vintage wooden Alden Yacht from a boat graveyard and I am restoring her in a four-year project. As I work on her, I wonder so much about the person who built her. I love studying history and I recognize this wooden yacht as a piece of art. Her name is the Miracle. I hope to train so that I can solo…

By Michael Rudnick, Regatta Co-chair Noroton Yacht Club won the 25th Annual Kirby Cup Team Race Championship in a tie breaking final sail-off with New York Yacht Club. The racing, hosted by Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, CT September 27-29, was very tight amongst teams representing the host club NYC, New York Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and Larchmont Yacht Club, with many college alumni on the racetrack battling it out for the top spot. Noroton…

Race starts June 20, now has a PHRF class The Marion Bermuda Race prides itself of staying abreast of offshore racing, making changes to enhance the experience for all competitors, and the 2025 edition will be no different. The race has added a PHRF class, so now there’s a choice between ORR and PHRF. There are only two Category 1 ocean races on the East Coast that offer a PHRF class, and Marion Bermuda’s the older and larger…

Grand Soleil Yachts has chosen Flagship Yacht Sales as their exclusive dealer for the Northeast USA, representing the brand from New York to Maine. Flagship, based in Mamaroneck NY, offers the entire Grand Soleil line of cruising and racing models, as well as the new GS Blue, a sustainably-built 33-footer.   “Grand Soleil has had tremendous success in the global market, but has had no representation in the northeast USA until now,” noted Flagship founder Michael Beers….

Soundview Millworks Personalized Serving & Cutting Boards   Handcrafted by Grant Tankoos in Darien, CT since 2008, these maple and mahogany steak boards, appetizer boards, serving boards and cutting boards can be customized with a wide selection of handle and engraving options. Soundview Millworks’ boards (and knives!) are the perfect platform for creating a unique and thoughtful gift for someone special, and the ordering process is fun: pick your handle, pick your engraving, and get on board…

By Kate Somers, risingT Photos by Stephen R Cloutier @BlockIslandSteve The 2024 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta presented by ShopRite of Carteret (IOR), co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY, concluded October 13 after two days of intense racing on Long Island Sound. The event saw participation by an impressive 326 sailors representing forty-one schools, spanning nineteen U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. With six divisions competing, each completed six or seven races, showcasing the…

By Dave Hemenway   The 2024 Thames River Finn Championship was held on Saturday, October 5 at the Thames Yacht Club (TYC) in New London, CT. While the weather forecast was for mild winds in the 5 to 8 mph range, the actual conditions were even better with a fresh breeze of 10 to 15 mph – perfect for a bunch of mature sailors racing former Olympic class singlehanders that were built half a century or more…

6 Metre Pre-Worlds a preamble to the 2025 Worlds By Tom Darling, Conversations with Classic Boats Photos by Peter D. Taylor When I heard that an iconic meter boat collection was coming to Oyster Bay, New York, the historical hub of 6 Metre sailing in the U.S., I was all ears. Earlier articles about on the development and growth of the International Six Meter (Metre) yacht appeared on these pages in 2021 and ’23; online at windcheckmagazine.com/article/a-century-of-sixes/…