Ocean Racing

The Volvo All Grown Up

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

While the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) will surely continue to evolve in future years, there is a sense of “maturity” to the upcoming 11th running of the event that is unique in its nearly four-decade history—and not just because of the “legends” mini-regatta, which is bringing together a number old boats and former competitors to celebrate the race’s past. Gone are the days of

BSL Leads the Global Ocean Race Fleet

by Meghan Dente, Posted September 26, 2011

Day two of the Global Ocean Race 2011-2012 proved a lively, welcome change from yesterday’s light air start in Palma Bay, Mallorca, Spain. Led by Ross and Campbell Field on BSL, the six double-handed Class 40s continue to race toward the Straits of Gibraltar, and eventually Cape Town, in an effort to complete the first leg of the five-leg, 30,000-mile journey around the globe. With

The Transatlantic Tradition Continues

by Adam Cort, Posted August 24, 2011

A new monohull record, a giant-killing performance by a cruising catamaran and a straight-out-of-the-box victory for the new Puma Volvo 70: those were some of the high points of last summer’s dramatic Transatlantic Race 2011.George David’s super-maxi Rambler 100 blasted across the 2,975-mile course from Newport, Rhode Island to Lizard Point off Cornwall, England, in just over 6 days, 22

Celestial to Bermuda

by Lisa Gabrielson, Posted August 23, 2011

Back when the Marion-Bermuda cruising yacht race was founded in 1977, everybody was required to use celestial navigation. The race formally sanctioned electronic navigation in 1997, but many boats still choose to navigate using the sun, moon and stars.During this year’s race, eight entries in the 50-boat fleet navigated celestially, including my father’s boat, the Hinkley Sou’Wester 50

Volvo Ocean Race Rerouted Due to Piracy

by MacDuff Perkins, Posted August 18, 2011

The threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean has forced organizers of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race to reroute racing for the second and third legs. Acting on the advice of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and other marine safety experts, organizers are opting to have the boats race from Cape Town to a “safe haven port,” and then ship the boats to Abu Dhabi to resume racing. This

Rambler 100 Capsizes

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 15, 2011

The maxi Rambler 100 capsized around midnight on Monday off the Irish coast during the Rolex Fastnet race. All 21 crew are safe, according to the Irish Coast Guard.The incident happened just after Rambler 100 rounded the Fastnet Rock at 1725 local time. At the time, Rambler 100 was leading the monohull fleet and vying for

Tragedy and Triumph in the Chicago Mac

by Adam Cort, Posted August 2, 2011

A capsize in the 103rd Chicago Mackinac Race that took the lives of Mark Morley and Suzanne Bickel highlighted the dangers inherent in offshore racing and brought out the best in the competitors who responded to the accident.Ironically, in this era of EPIRBs and other technological “miracles,” it was a simple whistle—required equipment for all Mackinac racers—and a half dozen rescue lights

Luck in the Pacific

by Kimball Livingston, Posted July 28, 2011

Guy Wilding has been out for a paddle in his 18-foot kayak every day for months, since moving to Honolulu from Sydney, Australia. July 20 seemed like any other day under the blue skies of the tradewinds until, as luck would have it, his paddle broke and he was dumped into the drink. This wasn't good, but Wilding swam to the kayak and grabbed on. He tried to get in - to "rescue," in kayak-speak -

A Quick Trip to Halifax

by Adam Cort, Posted July 28, 2011

The 89-strong fleet in this year’s Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race enjoyed near-perfect conditions, with three boats beating a race record that had stood for 22 years.First to finish was Jim Grundy’s 75-foot Bella Pita, designed by Bill Tripp, which completed the 363-mile course in 30 hours, 46 minutes and 52 seconds. Will Apold’s 78-foot Swan, Valkyrie, from Halifax,

PUMA Wins Transatlantic 2011

by Sarah Eberspacher, Posted July 11, 2011

Following a six day, 22 hour, eight minute and two second journey, Rambler 100 took line honors Sunday in the Transatlantic Race 2011. However, skipper George David and his crew have been denied an overall victory by PUMA’s Mar Mostro, skippered by Ken Read, which crossed the finish line at The Lizard, Cornwall, U.K. earlier today. Race officials have already determined that