Sailing

The weather conditions experienced by the 12 international professional crews competing in The Ocean Race Europe have moderated considerably from yesterday’s fierce headwinds winds that funnelled against them through the Gibraltar Strait.

A day after leaving Cascais, Portugal on the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe, this afternoon the race’s 12-boat fleet battled fierce headwinds in the Gibraltar Strait – the narrow and congested waterway dividing mainland Europe from north Africa – on their way to Alicante, Spain.

The Ocean Race Europe fleet returned to competitive action in Cascais, Portugal today where the 12 international teams representing nine countries took on the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy coastal race ahead of the start tomorrow of the second offshore leg to the city of Alicante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

The final day of the first superyacht event of the Mediterranean season confirmed victory for the two yachts firmly at the top of their respective categories.

Leg One is likely to be decided in the final hours with one last hurdle between the fleet and the finish line off Cascais.

High performance racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club is back with the Vice Admiral’s Cup taking place in the Solent from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd May. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, but over 50 teams have taken up the challenge for 2021. Eight classes will compete on technical windward leeward courses, with adrenalin-packed action for FAST40+, Performance 40, J/111, J/109, Cape31, HP30, Quarter Tonner and SB20.

Following last night’s deluge, the fourth and final day of racing at the Maxi Yacht Capri Trophy, the opening event of Rolex Capri Sailing Week 2021, was held in conditions that challenged both competitors and race committee alike. A giant wind shift caused the first attempt at today’s single windward-leeward race to be abandoned. The race committee, led by Alfredo Ricci, then moved a little further out into the Bay of Naples. Starting in just 4-6 knots of wind from the south-SSE, the race finally got underway shortly after 1400 CEST.

The Spanish J/80 class is considered one of the best in the world; after all, amongst their teams they account for nearly a dozen J/80 World Championships (forget the fact they are several Olympic sailing Medallists amongst them). Building on that strength (a somewhat scary thought for the rest of the world), the Spanish class of more than 145 teams and 1,000+ sailors has created a new summer sailing series that will enable them to pursue their great passion for sailing in all of the most beautiful, iconic sailing venues throughout Spain. 

Once again Emirates Team New Zealand has entered the history books and won the America’s Cup for New Zealand for the fourth time.