Britain is once again the most successful Olympic sailing nation after the August gong-fest...

  • From the Editor
    The marine industry has just as much reason to moan about this summer?s weather as yachtsmen

  • On the wind
    Britain is once again the most successful Olympic sailing nation after the August gong-fest. Our six-page special report salutes Team GBR?s heroes and Matt Sheahan reveals the little-told story of hard graft behind their triumph. Elsewhere, shock findings into Biscay death ? what every yachtsman should know; Skandia back Cowes till 2008; 706 miles in 24 hours ? Orange II sets a new record; and place your orders now for the Yachting World 2005 diary

  • Win a week?s skiing for two in St Anton

  • Diary of a Yachtmistress
    In the first of a three-part series, Mike Kopman follows a rookie sailor through the initial eight weeks of her ?fast-track? Yachtsmaster course

  • Mongoose
    Forget swoopy sheerlines and gizmos, boat shows are as much fun for the quirks of their host nations

  • Letters to the Editor
    The case for Lifeslings, drink-sailing ? the debate rages on, Finn magic and ?quickie? Yachtmasters

  • Robin Knox-Johnston
    Stay or go? Robin considers the dilemma of a passage in the offing and a gale warning from the Met Office

  • Gear
    A pair of pocket-size waterproof GPSs for the cockpit navigator, a dual-role brush for decks and topsides, the ?ultimate? yachtie?s torch, sleek carbon wheels and innovative rope-loop shackles

  • Leading Edge
    Scientists are finally lending credence to sailors? tales of freak waves ? and now they hope to predict them

  • Highs and lows of Cowes
    From out-and-out canting-keeled racers to immaculately varnished classics, balmy zephyrs to gales on Friday 13th, there was something for everyone at the 178th Skandia Cowes Week

  • Yachts
    The Swan 601 is not only the slimmest yacht off the Nautor board, she may be the most slippery, too

  • On test: 45-footers
    Four stars on 45ft: the Grand Soleil 45, Bénéteau First 44.7, Salona 45, and Comet 45. If you?re not in the market for a seriously sexy cruiser-racer, it may be best to look away now

  • Southern Ocean warriors
    On Sunday 3 October, 12 boats sail from Portsmouth and begin their relentless, nine-month, upwind slog that is Chay Blyth?s fourth Global Challenge. Elaine Bunting investigates the revamped yachts and talks to crew, our tipster predicts their form

  • Small boat against the ocean
    ?I have to stop Arrandir from joining this madness of 20ft waves. At this point, I am neither scientific nor romantic about the sea ? I just detest it.? Sebastian Naslund chronicles the fear, elation and boredom of crossing oceans aboard his home-built 14-footer

  • Perinis on parade
    Private jets landed in squadrons, bubbly flowed and the Gucci-set idled on board at Sardinia?s Yacht Club Porto Rotundo ? and that?s without the cocktail contest. But the inaugural Perini Navi Cup to toast 20 years of the super-luxury builder was never going to be just about sailing, reports David Glenn

  • Cruising
    ?Mutiny? in the Bay of Biscay, a bizarre hazard in the Solent and an innovative use for a Barbie doll. Plus long-term cruisers debate the merits of SSB

  • Great seamanship
    Plugging holes ? when Robin Knox-Johnston?s Suhaili sprang a leak during his 1968 solo circumnavigation, the Merchant Navy officer went overboard with lengths of cotton and a wary eye open for sharks

  • Racing
    IMS is dead, long live Transpac 52? Now quite, but King Juan Carlos of Spain is just the latest yachtsman to be seduced by a rule reinvigorating the sport. Plus all change for the Admiral?s Cup, and the GBR squad clean up at the sixth Rolex Commodore?s Cup

  • Inside track
    Amid the brouhaha surrounding the eviction of Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts, one tale has been forgotten ? and its tragedy is far more human

  • SuperSail
    Thanks to design nous married to modern technology, it is hoped clipper Maltese Falcon will be able to sail at 15 knots upwind with a wind angle of 25°. The old clipper seamen would have marvelled at Tom Perkins?s new 87m square-rigger

  • Yachts for sale
    1000s of yachts for sale in our brokerage pages

  • Classified ads
    End of season bargains in our classified pages

  • Last word
    Andrew Preece interviews Sir Chay Blyth