More sailing news

In one year’s time a new era will begin for the world’s largest offshore yacht race. On 8 August 2021, the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail from Cowes bound for the Fastnet Rock as usual, but then, once the boats have rounded Bishop Rock, they will, for the first time in the race’s 96 year history, point their bows towards Cherbourg, the new finish for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event.

Nicolas Troussel, the French skipper, sponsored by CORUM Investments, has qualified for the Vendée Globe 2020, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing events, starting on 8 November in the French town of Les Sables-d'Olonne.

Gold, Silver, Bronze — the complete set of medals of the Olympic Games in front of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) shines at the Kieler Woche 2020 (September 5-13) in the Olympic one-handed class Laser Radial. The 2016 Olympic champion, four-time and reigning World Champion Marit Bouwmeester from the Netherlands will meet Annalise Murphy (Ireland/Silver) and Anna Marie Rindom (Denmark/Bronze) on the Kiel Fjord.

Contest Yachts of Holland announce launch of first of a new sub-60ft performance bluewater adventure cruiser.

Market leading luxury sailing yacht builder, Oyster Yachts, has announced it is recruiting over 100 people to join its workforce. With shipyards in Southampton, Wroxham and Ashmanhaugh, as well as offices in Palma and the US, this will expand the UK based company’s headcount to over 400 people internationally.

What a pleasure to rekindle the ties with the intensity of competition! The beaming smiles of the six sailors aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild said it all this Tuesday lunch time after crossing the finish line of the Drheam Cup 2020 offshore of La Trinité-sur-Mer in south-west Brittany. And to add to the magic of the moment, it was in full flight making over 35 knots that the 32-metre giant rounded off the 750-mile course that began at noon on Sunday in Cherbourg. What a show!

Galicia in the wild and stunningly beautiful north of Spain, and chic and elegant Saint Tropez, two very different and contrasting venues, will both feature highly as the world’s leading grand prix monohull circuit, the 52 SUPER SERIES, bounces back for what promises to be an exciting and engaging 2021 season.

After a long and open discussion by the RORC Race Management team, senior members of the RORC Committee, and with advice from medical experts, it has been decided that any overnight race that the Club would run would not adhere to the UK Government guidance currently in place. As a result, the Ushant race has been cancelled and in its place will be organised a long day race in the English Channel using laid and virtual marks, starting and finishing in Cowes.

The Greifswald shipyard is adding the Y9 to its portfolio. The first unit has already been sold and will be delivered next year.

The third edition of the DRHEAM-CUP, starting on 19 July in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and finishing in La Trinité-sur-Mer, will be the very first Grand Prix de France de Course au Large (French Offshore Racing Grand Prix). The competition will be strong, with over 80 boats expected on the three courses, including three Ultime multihulls, just as many Multi50s, 25 Figaro Bénéteau class boats, a dozen Class40s, several Multi 2000s and many IRC yachts, sailed double-handed and with crews.