How rare it is, to be left to your own devices on a wild island. From the tropics to the high latitudes, more often than not when you think you…
Top 5 yachts named winners of the European Yacht of the Year 2016/2017
The European Yacht of the Year is judged by journalists from 11 different magazines from 11 different European nations. Each jury member tested every yacht from the five different categories, over…
The remarkable Oyster 675 on test – making a splash with a powerful new look
When it comes to series-building large cruisers, Oyster Yachts is the undisputed world leader. The yard’s evergreen popularity lies with its bluewater cruisers up to 60ft (Boat test: Oyster 475…
Alex Thomson hailed by French for ‘magnificent 2nd’ in Vendée Globe but admits “It was brutal”
Alex Thomson finished the Vendée Globe solo round the world race in the biting cold of dawn today to take 2nd place in a time of 74d 19h 35m. Like the…
Dream finish for Armel Le Cléac’h as he conquers Vendée Globe race and pays tribute to rival Alex Thomson
France gained a new hero this afternoon when solo sailor Armel Le Cléac’h crossed the finish line of Vendée Globe race in Les Sables d’Olonne. It was third time lucky on this great…
Sailing to Saint Helena – one of the world’s most remote communities
We crossed wakes with Captain Cook 350 miles out from the Namibian coast and 245 years after he set out from Cape Town for the South Atlantic island of Saint…
Alex Thomson fighting exhaustion as electronics problems threaten Vendée Globe hopes
British sailor Alex Thomson has a fight on his hands to try to make up the 34-mile deficit on the leader of the Vendée Globe race – and the main…
Alex Thomson and Armel Le Cléach battle for Vendée Globe record
When François Gabart won the Vendée Globe solo round the world race in 2013 at his first attempt, he set a superb new record of 78d 2h and many said it…
Racing a giant classic – an eye-opening day aboard J Class Velsheda at St Tropez
It is hard to be a show-stopper in St Tropez, yet the two J Class yachts competing this year were undoubtedly the biggest crowd pleasers. I was lucky enough to…
Alex Thomson sets new 24-hour speed record as he goes all-out in bid to overtake Vendée Globe leader
Vendée Globe racer Alex Thomson has set a new 24-hour solo monohull sailing record, sailing an incredible 536.81 nautical miles in 24 hours. Watch Alex talking about the record here:…
Vendée Globe showdown: can Alex Thomson beat his great French rival Armel Le Cléac’h?
After over 23,000 miles of racing, the two leaders of the Vendée Globe solo round the world race are today just over 100 miles apart. Armel Le Cléac’h has led…
How the schooner America started the America’s Cup, and the mystery she left behind
On 28 March, 1942, an unusually heavy snowfall smothered the New England countryside. At the height of the blizzard, the roof of a nondescript shed on the waterfront at Trumpy’s…
What is behind the surge in new 60ft plus yacht designs and can you sail one safely without pro crew?
Looking along the row of new yachts berthed stern-to at Cannes Boat Show in September, it seems impossible that just a few years ago a yard might hold up its…
Clipper sailor named Yachtsman of the Year for selfless act of bravery
Gavin Reid, 28, an amateur sailor who was born profoundly deaf, has beaten “his heroes”, Giles Scott, the Rio 2016 Gold Medalist, and Brian Thompson, Round the Island Race Record…
How well does your lifejacket work? We put 3 offshore models to the test
As I plunge into the sea off the east coast of Iceland, the water temperature shows 6°C and the cold is enough to take the breath away. I am wearing…
Dramatic Contest 67CS video: showing the new Judel-Vrolijk design with soul
Dutch yard Contest commissioned Judel/Vrolijk for the first time to design its new 67CS. This is a size on the increase for owners who like to get places quickly and…
It’s a record! Exceptional take up for 47th Rolex Fastnet Race
Entry into the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship event, the Rolex Fastnet Race surpassed expectations by filling up in under five minutes on the day entries opened, Monday 9 January. The 340-boat limit was…
How to reduce the risk of a nose-dive without dropping the spinnaker
The quarter tonner class has a reputation for some incredible broaches, but it is possible to recover from burying the bow. Although everything aboard the quarter tonner in the photograph…
What’s behind the design of Alex Thomson’s Vendée Globe racer Hugo Boss?
The 2016/7 Vendée Globe race will go down as one dominated by two very different sailors, Frenchman Armel Le Cléac’h and Briton Alex Thomson in two critically different yachts. There is no…
Skip Novak sails 4,000 miles to refit his charter fleet in the South Atlantic winter
Pelagic Australis, the flagship of my two-boat fleet, which includes the original Pelagic (my ‘Pelagians’ call me the Commodore), was back on station in the Falkland Islands at the end…