Sailing

With a rich history of international competition from Chicago, Breskens, San Francisco, Newport Rhode Island and The Solent, the J/111 World Championship regatta returns to beautiful Cowes for the third time since it was held there for the inaugural event.

In February there is no better offshore race in the world than the RORC Caribbean 600. Racing 600 miles non-stop around 11 tropical islands is a challenge, especially for the largely corinthian teams racing in IRC Two and IRC Three. The race is a test of endurance, boat handling and seamanship, coupled with spectacular racing conditions and stunning scenery. Winning class or making the podium is worthy of a huge celebration. Every team is congratulated dockside by enthusiastic volunteers, cheering the accomplishment of simply finishing the race.

It is clear that in spite of the demanding conditions, everyone is enjoying being back sailing on the high seas, as they tackle their latest record attempt between Hong Kong and London. This morning, this has led to the crew of IDEC SPORT achieving a decent lead of more than 180 miles after the first days of racing over the time set by the holder of the Tea Route record, the 70-foot trimaran, Maserati.

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club Regatta Foundation has appointed a new Race Director for the 40^th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

Saturday 11^th January marked a special day in World ARC history as the 10^th edition of World Cruising Club's round-the-world rally set sail from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. 33 yachts assembled at IGY Rodney Bay Marina, marking an end to years of planning and the start of an epic 26,000nm circumnavigation, with crews from 23 different countries sailing their own yachts to some of the world's best cruising grounds.

A lull in finishers and then the midday rush as a northerly hit the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet and yachts kept rolling into Hobart throughout the day and night – they just kept coming and continued to do so into this afternoon, with less than 20 left on the race course.

The crew of Kialoa II may lament having seen their understandable hopes of winning the Grand Veterans class in the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race slip through their grasp.

The number one racing boat in Australia has been declared the overall winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart for a second time, as this morning Matt Allen was advised his TP52, Ichi Ban, was to yet again have its name engraved on the Tattersall Cup.

Comanche’s line honours win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race this morning may not have fully erased the disappointment of her third place last year for co-owner and skipper Jim Cooney.

The 72-foot URM was barely spoken of when it came to who could figure in the race for line and overall honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race before it began on Thursday afternoon.