These days it’s hard to predict what the world may look like in a few weeks, let alone a few months, but many in the Caribbean sailing industry are cautiously…
Racing
Spinnaker drop techniques: top tips for ‘string drops’
Dinghies like the 505 have been using chutes to ‘string drop’ their spinnakers into the boat for decades. However, when specifically talking about the big boat spinnaker drop, the string…
How to keep calm under pressure
After sailing a brilliant qualifying series during the Tokyo Olympic Games earlier this summer, a moment of indecision put Anne-Marie Rindom’s grip on the gold medal in jeopardy. But the…
A race for real sailors: giant schooners go head to head
America’s Cup yachts had become so extreme by 1920 that they didn’t race in anything more serious than a moderate breeze, but the racing designs of the day were not…
How to put together a winning crew
Despite only having come to offshore racing six years ago, Tom Kneen has proven a fast learner. He’s also done things his way, steadfastly holding to his preference to sail…
Finding flow in the Gotland Runt
3:45am. I don hat, base layers, foulies, boots, head torch and neck gaiter before stepping up on deck. There I am greeted by a fiery sunrise rising above the fierce…
Onboard communication: Pip Hare’s guide
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to join the French crew of the IMOCA 60 Bureau Vallée 3 for the Ocean Race Europe. Their new boat had been launched…
How to sail in light winds and tide
The lighter the breeze, the more significant the effects of any current or tidal flow. Ben Saxton has raced every kind of boat, from foiling catamarans to planing dinghies to…
The rise and rise of double-handed racing
If ever the stars aligned to see a sport’s popularity grow exponentially, they did so for the recent story of double-handed racing offshore. Societal changes, a brief hint of a…
Olympic sailing: Light winds, disqualifications and more medals
Medal Races where first brought into the Olympic Sailing Competition in an attempt to provide a final race showdown for the medals, while maintaining the integrity of the sailing competition.…
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing: Brits to the fore on day four
Enoshima is famous, notorious even, for its big wave action, and that’s what the sailors got on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competition. Eight out of ten…
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing: Ups and downs on Day 3
The excitement kicked up a gear on the third day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competition as the women in the 49erFX Skiff put on a display of high…
Olympic sailing: Confused seas and sailors on day 2
There was more wind than expected for the second day of racing at the Olympic Sailing Competition which was just as well as the lumpy, confused wave pattern made it…
Tokyo Olympic sailing: Who will win Gold in Japan?
The Olympic Sailing Regatta in Tokyo will be a high-level experiment in who has spent the past 18 months of pandemic time the most effectively. How much will the lack…
Round the Island Race 2021: How to follow – a spectator’s guide
The Round the Island Race is one of the most popular sailing races in the world, regularly seeing thousands of boats taking part. Not only that, but it is one…
Expert sailing advice: How to make winning decisions on the racecourse
Although Peter Burling and Blair Tuke had won Olympic sailing silver at the London 2012 Games, the young New Zealanders felt their decision-making skills, particularly the blend of long-term strategy…
Expert sailing advice: Mike Broughton explains the importance of tidal laylines
Rather like the poker player who unwittingly plays into a trap, starting in a strong steam easily ensnares the unwary. To reduce this risk, getting to the start area early…
Aiming for the impossible: The inside story of the 2020 Jules Verne contenders
Forty days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds: that is the time that is embedded in the psyche of crews currently challenging for the Jules Verne trophy. The clock…
ClubSwan 80: New design promises the ultimate owner-driver racing experience
Another ambitious and innovative project from the Finnish brand, the ClubSwan 80 is aimed at becoming the ultimate in owner-driver one-design racing. Nautor’s group vice-president Enrico Chieffi said they wanted…
Speed sailing record holder Paul Larsen explains how to get your boat up to pace
Not only is Paul Larsen clued in to what makes a boat go fast, he’s just as passionate about getting the best out of every crew. Boatspeed comes down to…