A Look Back at Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 (video)

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017

An Offshore Classic: The 73rd edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart demonstrated once again why this offshore race has such elevated standing in the yacht racing and, indeed, sporting world. 102 yachts took part, each with their own personal ambition. For the vast majority, winning overall was the ultimate goal. Only one boat can claim the main prize. It takes planning, commitment and skill to succeed in the pursuit of excellence. Matt Allen and the crew of Ichi Ban delivered those characteristics and were justly rewarded with the Tattersall Cup and Rolex timepiece. For the other competing crews, their triumph was to start the race at all. Completing the course was the icing on the cake.

The 2018 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts from Sydney Harbour, Australia--the warning signal for the race will be signalled at 1250 hours AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Saving)--on 26 December 2018. 

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 Video Highlights

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 – Highlights

This moving montage captures the essence of the 2017 edition of one of the world’s most respected and revered offshore races: the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The spectacular footage covers the highlights of the 628-nautical-mile course, from the start out of Sydney Harbour to the setting of a new race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds by Jim Cooney and his all-star crew on LDV Comanche, whose accomplishments earned them the J.H. Illingworth Trophy and a Rolex Timepiece. Rolex World of Yachting video above published Jan 26, 2018.

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• Miami Yacht Show leaving Miami Beach in 2019 after 30 years | Miami Herald: Next year, the Miami Yacht Show moves to Biscayne Bay in Miami between the Venetian and MacArthur causeways, where the former Miami Herald building sat for a half century. The property at One Herald Plaza is now owned by Resorts World Miami and was recently home to a major art fair during Miami Art Week.
• Google to map South Florida Intracoastal, Biscayne Bay with Waterway View in partnership with Marine Industries Association of South Florida (Video) - South Florida Business Journal

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017, An Offshore Classic (video)

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 - Looking back at an offshore classic:

Rolex World of Yachting video above published on Dec 31, 2017: The 73rd edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart demonstrated once again why this offshore race has such elevated standing in the yacht racing and, indeed, sporting world. 102 yachts took part, each with their own personal ambition. For the vast majority, winning overall was the ultimate goal. Only one boat can claim the main prize. It takes planning, commitment and skill to succeed in the pursuit of excellence. Matt Allen and the crew of Ichi Ban delivered those characteristics and were justly rewarded with the Tattersall Cup and Rolex timepiece. For the other competing crews, their triumph was to start the race at all. Completing the course was the icing on the cake.

RSHYR 2017 Will Oxley - Navigation 001

Club Marine TV video above published Dec 31, 2017: Appropriately enough, the name Ichi Ban in Japanese means 'No 1' and if your were looking for an ocean racing navigator to get you to No 1 in the race to Hobart, you'd be hard pressed to go past Will Oxley.

In this conversation with Will, shortly after Ichi Ban was presented with the Tattersall Cup here in Hobart, he explains just how challenging navigation can be on a TP 52 in heavy airs and why any amount of technology will not help you with some decisions that must still be calculated in the head or plotted on a paper chart.

See also on JohnTheCrowd.com | Sailing News:

• Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017, LIVE Feed

•  2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Start, Live Video Replay

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017, LIVE Feed

UPDATE Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 Overall Winner:

Rolex World of Yachting video above published Dec 28, 2017: The TP52 Ichi Ban, owned and skippered by seasoned campaigner Matt Allen, has won the 73rd Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and, with it, the Tattersall Cup and Rolex timepiece reserved for the overall winner on corrected time. One of the pre-race favourites to secure one of yachting’s greatest prizes, Allen and his crew had to put aside their usual prudence in a calculated gamble. With a large number of strong boats favoured by the forecast conditions, there was no room for caution. Ichi Ban’s closest rival proved to be two-time winner, Bob Steel and Quest, which added to the mounting pressure. Making the most of the fast running conditions of the second day, and avoiding serious damage, Ichi Ban prevailed, erasing the disappointment of 2016 when a five-hour becalming in the Derwent dashed their hopes of victory.

Dec 28: Jim Cooney and LDV Comanche secured the line honours victory at the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race after a protested incident between the two 100-footers, Wild Oats XI and LDV Comanche, shortly after the start, was determined in favour of Comanche:

Rolex World of Yachting video above published Dec 28, 2017:  Jim Cooney and LDV Comanche secured the line honours victory at the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart in a record time of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds, bettering by 4 hours 15 minutes, 56 seconds the previous benchmark set in 2016. Cooney and his crew were rewarded for their success in the southern hemisphere’s pre-eminent offshore race with the J.H. Illingworth Trophy and a Rolex timepiece. After a phenomenal contest over the full 628nm of the Rolex Sydney Hobart concluded yesterday in the Derwent River, the line honours title for first to finish was eventually decided today in the protest room. An incident between of the two 100-footers, Wild Oats XI and LDV Comanche, shortly after the start, was determined in favour of Comanche.
Dec 27, 2017: Wild Oats XI claims line honours in battle on Derwent | Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 but a protest By LDV Comanche is pending.

LIVE Tracker - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 - Race Start

Rolex World of Yachting video above published Dec 26, 2017: "The 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart has started. 102 yachts, including 27 international entries, are participating in the 628nm bluewater classic, which marks its 73rd edition this year. The race got underway in a light easterly breeze, under a grey leaden sky. Black Jack, one of four 100-footers, led the fleet out of the harbour, witnessed by thousands of well-wishers on both land and water. Once outside the Sydney Harbour heads, the fleet turned south into the Tasman Sea and headed down the New South Wales coast towards the eastern fringe of Bass Strait. Organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in collaboration with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the race has been sponsored by Rolex since 2002. Success in this offshore contest demands total commitment, perfect preparation and precise crew work. The rewards for the crew that overcomes all others are a true symbol of achievement."

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 Preview Video:

Rolex World of Yachting video above published Nov 20, 2017: The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a true test of human and machine. Organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in collaboration with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, this 628 nautical mile offshore race requires meticulous preparation, honed skills and resolute determination just to finish. Securing the Tattersall’s Cup and coveted Rolex timepiece awarded to the overall winner requires all those values and more.

Hobart Weather – The Navigators’ Take: Club Marine TV video published Dec 23, 2017: "A few days out from the start of the big race south to Hobart and the weather modelling is suggesting a relatively benign track, with a high over Tasmania blocking the normal pattern of southerly fronts, while still promising some strong downwind running. Taking a rare opportunity provided by some of the world’s best ocean racing navigators being in the same place as the forecast was announced, we asked them what they made of the projections and how they would tackle the predicted conditions aboard their respective boats."

The 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race marks the 73rd edition of this time-honoured tradition. Over 100 yachts, including 30 overseas entries, are expected to cross the start line at 13:00 AEDT on 26 December 2017 (Dec 25th at 9pm EST in U.S.). Everything is in place for another exceptional chapter in the history of this classic race.
Tweets by Shirleysail Tweets by rshyr

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Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 Video – The Spirit of Yachting

Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 Video – The Spirit of Yachting

Rolex World of Yachting video published Sep 18, 2017: This episode of the Rolex Spirit of Yachting film series features the action and highlights of the 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race. On 6 August, a record fleet of 362 yachts gathered off Cowes, the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom for the world’s largest offshore race. Of the 2,700 sailors taking part in the 603-nautical-mile offshore adventure, overall victory went to French yachtsman Didier Gaudoux. It was a dream made reality for the seasoned yachtsman who had set his sights on a Rolex Fastnet trophy and the accompanying Rolex timepiece as far back as the late 1970s. The 47th edition affirmed its status as one of the most demanding offshore races, a veritable benchmark on the international yachting calendar for almost a century.

See also:

• JohnTheCrowd.com: Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 Video, August 6 Start, LIVE Twitter Feed 

• JohnTheCrowd.com: Fastnet 2017: MOD 70 Concise 10 and IRC Zero & VO65 Start (video)

Until 2019...#rolexfastnetrace
📸 Carlo Borlenghi © pic.twitter.com/WR1qawRb8y

— RORC (@RORCRacing) August 14, 2017

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Transpac Yacht Race 2017: A Look Back at a Special Race (video)

Transpac 2017 - Looking Back at a Special Race

Video above published Jul 17, 2017: Sailors describe their epic journey across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii and why this race is so special. This is what the Transpacific Yacht Race is all about!

The finish of the 2017 Transpac

Video above published Jul 16, 2017: Transpac Racers reflect on their incredible journey across the Pacific. Video by Chris Love Productions

See also:

• Transpac Results: 2017 Transpac Honolulu Race on Yacht Scoring

• Transpac 2017 | .transpacyc.com

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Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017 Highlights Video

Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017 Highlights:

Video above published Jun 29, 2017: The 2017 Giraglia Rolex Cup required patience, strength and skill to overcome the fickle weather that dominated the 65th edition. Some 210 yachts took part in the main event – the 241-nm offshore race from Saint-Tropez, France to Genoa, Italy via the northern tip of Corsica. Overall victory went to Freccia Rossa, a TP52 owned by Vadim Yakimenko, and line honours for fastest finish to Dieter Schön’s Maxi 72 from Germany, who were rewarded with Rolex timepieces, a tribute to excellence and superior performance. The event was marked by the respect for tradition and love of sailing that are hallmarks of the Giraglia Rolex Cup.

See also: JohnTheCrowd.com | Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017, June 9-17, Video & LIVE Twitter Feed

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Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017, June 9-17, Video & LIVE Twitter Feed

Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017 – 17 June – Offshore race review

Video above published Jun 17, 2017: Patience, mental fortitude and an unrelenting desire to surmount the challenges posed by fickle weather conditions defined the racing at the 2017 Giraglia Rolex Cup. 209 yachts from over 20 countries took part in the 65th running of the famous 241-nm offshore race from Saint-Tropez, France to Genoa, Italy. After a fascinating duel with fellow Maxi 72 Caol Ila R, line honours was claimed by Dieter Schön’s German yacht Momo. Overall victory on handicap went to the Russian TP52 Freccia Rossa.

Giraglia Rolex Cup 2017 – Preview

Video above published May 16, 2017: The 65th edition of the Giraglia Rolex Cup takes place from 09 – 17 June 2017. Organized by the Yacht Club Italiano, with the support of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, this internationally renowned event attracts around 3000 sailors. A reference point in the Mediterranean yachting season, the Giraglia Rolex Cup offers both offshore and inshore racing serving up the perfect blend of camaraderie and competition.

Jochen Schümann on the Giraglia Rolex Cup

Video above published Jun 6, 2017: German skipper and Olympic gold medallist Jochen Schümann talks about the Giraglia Rolex Cup, one of yachting’s premier competitions. Forged from friendship, this 243-nautical-mile offshore race through the Mediterranean brings together fleet of more than 200 yachts, sailing from Saint-Tropez to Genoa, Italy, via the iconic Giraglia rock off the tip of Corsica. Schümann, who won line honours in 2014 and a specially engraved Rolex timepiece, describes how special this race is to him and to the yachting community worldwide.

Renowned for its prevailing Corinthian spirit and proud traditions, the Giraglia Rolex Cup is three events in one, comprising overnight races from Marseilles and Sanremo to Saint-Tropez; an inshore series in Saint-Tropez; and the famous offshore race ‘La Giraglia’, which runs 241 nautical miles from Saint-Tropez to Genoa via the islet that gives the event its name. The 65th edition starts on Friday, 9 June 2017.

Official Regatta Website: http://www.yachtclubitaliano.it/it/regate/tutte-le-regate/giraglia-rolex-cup

The Giraglia Rolex Cup, which celebrates its 65th edition in 2017, includes one of the most renowned offshore races in the Mediterranean. Following races from Marseille and Sanremo the fleet will gather in the chic harbour of Saint-Tropez for three days of inshore competition before embarking on a 241-nautical mile offshore race to Genoa, Italy via the Giraglia, a rocky outcrop off the northern tip of Corsica.
Tweets about Giraglia Rolex Cup

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Next Transat bakerly in 2020, 2016 Sailing Video

The Transat bakerly

Video above published Apr 10, 2017.

The Race | The Transat bakerly | thetransat.com: "The Transat – single-handed ocean racing at its best. Up to 3,500 miles of open water from southwest England (Plymouth) to New York City. A challenge dominated by the progression of low pressure systems sweeping across the north Atlantic that produce the headwinds that define this classic race."

As one race finishes the next is confirmed | News | The Transat bakerly: As The Transat bakerly 2016 came to an end with the last finisher crossing the line off New York - the race owner and organiser, OC Sport Pen Duick, confirmed that it will be in the calendar for 2020 ...

Vincent RIOU ( PRB) / FR--Transat bakerly 2016

Video above published on May 7, 2016

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2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race Wrap Up Video, Maserati Multi70 Video

2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race - Wrap Up Video:

Video above published Feb 27, 2017: The 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 started in magnificent conditions with the largest ever offshore fleet assembled in the Caribbean enjoying sparkling conditions. Close to 900 sailors from 30 different nations competed in the 9th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's classic offshore race. Olympic medallists, America's Cup winners and round the world sailors competed alongside passionate corinthians on the same 600 mile race course around 11 Caribbean islands, starting and finishing in Antigua. The 2017 edition will be remembered for highly competitive racing throughout the fleet, with American yachts winning the major prizes. The race was affected by unusual weather conditions, with a low pressure system sending the wind direction spinning through 360º of the compass.

Maserati Multi70 - 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race Start

Maserati Multi70 - 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race Start | AutoMotoTV

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Rolex Middle Sea Race 2016, Elite Yachting in a Stunning Setting (video)

Rolex Middle Sea Race – Elite Yachting in a Stunning Setting:

The start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race in Valletta’s Grand Harbour in Malta is marked by the firing of cannons from the bastions of the city. This 608-nautical-mile offshore race follows one of the most scenic courses in the world, passing through the Strait of Messina, around Stromboli’s volcanic shores, and on to the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as Pantelleria before returning to Malta for a spectacular finish. The race through this stunning backdrop in often changeable conditions is considered a true challenge for skippers and crews. Video above published Oct 14, 2016. 

• Official website: rolexmiddlesearace.com
• Position tracker: http://rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#pt
• Results here.

22 Oct 2016: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2016 Start - The race starts in Malta's spectacular Grand Harbour. A series of starts which may be watched from any of Valletta's fortifications. See also IMA | 2016 Race Calendar: Rolex Middle Sea Race, Malta, 22 October

29 Oct 2016: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2016 Prize Giving - The historic Mediterranean Conference Centre & Hall situated in Valletta, is the venue for the Prize Giving Ceremony. Rolex Middle Sea Race is organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club - http://www.rmyc.org/.

Tweets by RolexMiddleSea

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2016 Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup Highlights, Sailing Video

Highlights from the 2016 Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup:

France victorious in the 2016 Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup. Video shown at the prize giving includes interviews with winners and race officials, plus footage from the final race on day 7.

The reason why the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup stands as a pinnacle event within the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s sizeable calendar was made abundantly evident during its 13th running in late July. Video published August 1, 2016

The club’s biennial flagship event for three boat teams with Corinthian crews is a supreme test, held on the navigationally complex waters of the Solent and the Channel, and featuring a range of race courses – windward-leewards, round the cans, an overnight offshore race and a race around the Isle of Wight, that on this occasion took place in sun and a 20-25 knot southwesterly. It is also something of a rarity in modern grand prix yachting – an event that lasts a whole week. And to win requires a team effort: All three boats in each team must pull their weight. 

Worthy winner on this occasion was France Blue comprising Eric de Turkheim’s A13, Teasing Machine, the Prietz family’s Ker 39, GOA and yacht designer Daniel Andrieu on his Sun Fast 3200, Cifraline 4. This marked the 10th anniversary of when Commodores’ Cup legend Géry Trenteseaux last led a French team to victory. 

TEAMS:
TEAM FRANCE: (3)
FRANCE BLUE:
Teasing Machine, A13, Eric De Turckheim/Laurent Pages
GOA, Ker 39, Gilles & Samuel Prietz/Samuel Prietz
Cifraline, Sunfast 3200, Daniel Andrieu

FRANCE WHITE:
Lann Ael 2, JND 39, Didier Gaudoux
Pen Koent, First 40.7, Emmanuel Le Men
Foggy Dew, JPK1010, Noel Racine

FRANCE RED:
Stamina, JND 39, Andrew Hurst/Joe Lacey
Timeline, JPK 1080, Marc Alpérovitch
Realax, A35, Jean-Yves Le Goff/ Alexandre Korniloff

TEAM GBR: (2)
GBR RED:
La Réponse, First 40, Andrew McIrvine
Alice, Mumm 36, Simon Henning
Bengal Magic, J/35, James Chalmers

GBR BLUE:
INO, HH42, James Neville
Cobra, King 40, Michael Blair
Sunrise, JPK 1080, Tom Kneen

TEAM ISRAEL: (1)
Carlton, Tel Aviv, JPK 10.10, David Frank
Daniel, Herzliya, JND 35, Peter Morton
Dan, Israel Ker 40, Andy Williams

TEAM FLANDERS NORTH SEA: (1)
Elke, First 40, Frans Rodenburg (NED)
Dunkerque - Les Dunes de Flandre, Archambault A35, Philippe Bourgeois (FRA)
Moana, First 47.7, François Goubau (BEL)

CELTIC TEAM: (1)
Shaitan, JPK 10.80, Jock Wishart
Aurora, Corby 37, Rod Stuart & Bill Ram
Space Oddity, JPK 10.10, Marc Noël

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Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016, Offshore Race Wrap Up, Sailing Video

Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016 – Offshore Race Wrap Up:

The 2016 Giraglia Rolex Cup offshore race organized by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Société de Saint-Tropez, set off from Saint-Tropez on 15 June. 268 yachts participated in 64th edition. The race was characterized by a range of weather conditions that eventually favoured the slower yachts. While the 100 foot Magic Carpet Cubed secured line honours, it was the 36 foot French yacht Tip owned by Gilles Pages that prevailed in the battle for overall victory on corrected time. Published June 19, 2016

Lindsay Owen-Jones 100-ft Maxi Magic Carpet Cubed (GBR) claimed line honours at the 2016 Giraglia Rolex Cup. Crossing the finish line in Genoa at 15:02:56 CEST Thursday, Magic Carpet Cubed completed the offshore race from Saint-Tropez, France in 26 hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds.

The 2016 Giraglia Rolex Cup will be archived as one of the most challenging. Starting light with a tactically demanding middle, it ended with a flourish; at times an alarming one. For many yachts the final leg from the Giraglia to Genoa will last long in the memory, as a bruising south-westerly wind built rapidly to 30 plus knots and whipped up the seas. Lasting from late on Thursday night to Friday morning, this wind added serious gasoline to the efforts of the slower yachts to overhaul the fastest in the race for the corrected time, and overall, win. When Gilles Pages and the French crew of Tip crossed the finish in the early hours of Friday morning they moved to the top of the podium. On Saturday morning Tip was confirmed as the worthy winner of the 64th Giraglia Rolex Cup.

2016 GIRAGLIA ROLEX CUP PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Giraglia Rolex Cup Offshore Race (Saint-Tropez - Giraglia - Genoa)
IRC Overall:
1. Tip (FRA), Gilles Pages (winner Rolex Challenge Trophy & Rolex Submariner)
2. Give Me Five 5 (FRA), Adrien Follin
3. Epsilon (FRA), Jean Rameil

ORC Class:
1.Scricca (ITA), Leonardo Servi (winner Trofeo Challenge Nucci Novi)

Line honours: Magic Carpet Cubed (GBR) (26 hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds) (winner Rolex Trophy, Réné Levainville Trophy & Rolex Yacht-Master)
Current course record: Esimit Europa 2 (SLO): 14 hours, 56 minutes and 16 seconds in 2012
Giraglia Rolex Cup Inshore Series (Saint-Tropez):
IRC 0 Wallyno Benoit de Froidmont
IRC A Team Vision Future Jean Jacques Chaubard
IRC B Easy Jean Marie Vidal
ORC 0 Southern Star Luigi Cimolai
ORC A Samantaga Philippe Moortgat

ORC B Aria di Burrasca Franco Salmoiraghi

More information:

• JohnTheCrowd.com | Sailing News: Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016, Offshore Race Start, 15 June 2016 (video)
• On twitter: #giragliarolexcup2016

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Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016, Offshore Race Start, 15 June 2016 (video)

Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016 – Offshore Race Start – 15th June 2016:

On 15th June, 268 crews participating in the 2016 Giraglia Rolex Cup offshore race organized by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Société de Saint-Tropez, set off from the start line in front of Saint-Tropez. This year marks the 64th edition of the historic race to Genoa, via the Giraglia rock located off the northern tip of Corsica. Professionally and Corinthian crewed yachts from 30 feet to 100 feet and from 18 nations are taking part. Published June 15, 2016

Three events in one

The Giraglia Rolex Cup is three events in one, comprising overnight races from Marseilles and Sanremo to Saint-Tropez; an inshore series in Saint-Tropez; and the famous offshore race ‘La Giraglia’, which runs 241 nautical miles from Saint-Tropez to Genoa via the islet that gives the event its name.

The offshore race of the 64th Giraglia Rolex Cup got underway today at midday, with 268 yachts departing from Saint-Tropez for Genoa, via the Giraglia rock. Following three days of blissful warmth and generally clear skies, the Cote d’Azur went feral with a rain storm blanketing the bay of Saint Tropez just before the first gun. For the 2,500 or so competitors the ambient spirit may have been dampened, but these are sailors used to putting up with some hardship to pursue their passion. Poor weather is just one of those things to be expected and dealt with.

Predictions for the race have been varied reflecting a confusing forecast for the first 24 hours and initial stages. Routing programmes suggest the bigger yachts could arrive at the Giraglia anytime between the early hours of tomorrow morning and midday. Genoa could be reached between midday Thursday and midnight.

FRAGMENTED FORECAST

The leaden grey clouds seemed to suck life out of the wind at the start, and one might be forgiven for thinking this is going to be a long slow race. Perhaps, said George Korel, Principal Race Officer of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, who explained the overall situation once outside the bay of Saint-Tropez: “Today, the Mistral is likely to stay the dominant factor between Corsica and the Continent. If the fastest boats can get into these winds the front runners could be quick to the Giraglia. And, while the smaller boats might find themselves in a relatively calm zone to start, on Thursday night/Friday morning the wind is forecast to get stronger at Cap Corse. It looks hopeful that it will be windy in the Gulf of Genoa too, which could mean the yachts will arrive much faster in Genoa than in recent years. I hope so!”

FRONT RUNNERS LOOK AHEAD

From the start, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ Magic Carpet Cubed visibly declared her size and power taking a firm lead on the short upwind leg to a mark off Saint-Tropez. Rounding the buoy, she hoisted her massive gennaker and proceeded to stretch her advantage over the chasing pack, which included the Maxi 72 Jethou owned by Sir Peter Ogden.

Both Owen-Jones and Ogden are perennial competitors at the Giraglia Rolex Cup. “Doing this race is always a huge pleasure,” says Owen-Jones. “We spent a long time trying to win it overall, and to do so last year means a lot less pressure this time. We can enjoy it so much more, especially rounding the Giraglia which is a magical moment in the race.” Ogden is in accord with his compatriot’s view of the race: “I just love it. Rounding the rock is a mystical experience that I just never want to miss.” By 14.30 Magic Carpet Cubed and Jethou had confirmed their status as front-runners having passed the next mark of the course just off La Taillat. Heading to the Giraglia at about 10 knots they had successfully passed through the first of the wind transitions.

NO EASY ANSWER TO FIRST LONG LEG

At this point, remainder of the fleet was strung out in a line between La Rabiou at the eastern end of the bay of Saint-Tropez and La Taillat to the south, with the prospect of a long afternoon and evening ahead as they work across the transition into stronger breeze offshore.

Once heading east to the Giraglia the yachts face their first big tactical decision of the race according to Giancarlo Ghislanzoni, a Yacht Club Italiano member and experienced campaigner of Chestress 3: “The rhumb (direct) line to the Giraglia looks pretty straight, almost 90 degrees to the east. But in most editions, sooner or later along that line, there is an area of light wind. So, very rarely is sailing the rhumb line a winning strategy. The big question is whether to sail to the north or south.” Ahead of the start the decision was not yet made: “Generally on this segment the wind is from the west. This year looks different with apparently mostly headwinds for us!”

SIZE OF OVERALL WINNER IN THE BALANCE

The overall winner of the Giraglia Rolex Cup is decided on corrected time. The wind conditions on the course always play a part in determining the eventual outcome. This is part of the fascination for sailors like Ghislanzoni: “You constantly fight to get the best performance from your boat throughout the race, but just like life there are external elements that you have to deal with. The wind is just as much that as your competitors.” This year it is too early to tell whether the front, middle or back of the fleet will be favoured. Tomorrow the picture will be clearer. [source: Rolex pressroom]

Links:

• Giraglia Rolex Cup | Yacht Club Italiano
• Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez | Language English
• Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016 - Saint-Tropez Tourisme
• JohnTheCrowd | Sailing News: Giraglia Rolex Cup 2016 Preview, June 10-18, Sailing Video

#giragliarolexcup2016 Tweets


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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2015, Spirit of Yachting Video

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2015 – Film - The Spirit of Yachting:

The Rolex Spirit of Yachting film series presents the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2015 — the action, highlights and memorable moments. The 25-minute documentary goes behind the scenes of this leading offshore race, one of the toughest tests of seamanship in the sport, bringing to life the adventure lived by the yachtsmen and yachtswoman courageous enough to make the 628-mile journey from Sydney to Hobart. After an intense battle, Australian skipper Paul Clitheroe and his crew aboard Balance won the Tattersall’s Cup and an engraved Rolex Yacht-Master watch. Discover more on http://on.rolex.com/1TtPNV0 Published on May 6, 2016

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RORC Caribbean 600 starts Monday, Feb 22, Antigua, Sailing Videos

The RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 22nd February 2016. The RORC Caribbean 600 is an exciting 600-mile offshore race that takes competitors around some of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean--


2015 RORC Caribbean 600 - Highlights of the first leg - Video highlights from Day One of the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600, with incredible arial footage of the high performance yachts in spectacular ocean racing conditions. (Published Feb 24, 2015)


Above is a short sailing video showing Phaedo³ at the start of the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600, from Ocean Images on Vimeo

Preview Video of the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600: The RORC Caribbean 600 has one of the most spectacular line ups of high performance boats racing anywhere in the world. Interviews with participating crews and practice action prior to the race start last year. (Published Feb 23, 2015)

Thousands of spectators will gather at Shirley Heights to watch the impressive 66-boat fleet begin the 8th RORC Caribbean 600. Hundreds of thousands more will watch the race unfold via video, photographs, race reports and blogs from the boats. All of the competing yachts will be fitted with YB Trackers.

THE RORC CARIBBEAN 600
RORC Caribbean 600 minisite: http://caribbean600.rorc.org
The RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 22nd February 2016
The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth's  

Past Results:
RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY - IRC OVERALL (Best best corrected time under IRC)
2015 - Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA)
2014 - George Sakellaris, RP72, Shockwave (USA)
2013 - Ron O'Hanley, Privateer, Cookson 50 (USA)
2012 - Niklas Zennström's JV72, Rán (GBR)
2011 - George David, Rambler 100, JK 100 (USA)
2010 - Karl C L Kwok, Beau Geste, Farr 80 (HKG)
2009 - Adrian Lee, Lee Overlay Partners, Cookson 50 (IRL)

2016 RORC Caribbean 600 news:
Long Haul Arrivals and Weather Jabber | News 2016 | News: "Jim Clark & Kristy Hinze Clark's American Maxi Comanche arrived in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua on Saturday afternoon, 20th February. Having taken line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the 100ft Canting keel Maxi left Sydney by ship on 6th January bound for Charleston, USA, 9,272 nautical miles via The Panama Canal. Comanche then sailed 1,500 nautical miles in less than four days from Charleston to Antigua. Eric De Turckheim's French A13, Teasing Machine won its class in the Rolex Sydney Hobart but miraculously arrived in Antigua 24 hours before Comanche ..."

Featuring the most magnificent collection of racing yachts ever seen in the Caribbean, an incredibly varied fleet will be racing under the IRC, CSA and MOCRA rating systems, as well as Class40s racing under class rules. Comanche, Phaedo3 and Concise 10 will be gunning for course records but the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy will be won by the yacht with the best corrected time under IRC.
Monohull Record: 2011 George David, Rambler 100 - 40 hours 20 mins 02 secs.
Multihull Record: 2015 Lloyd Thornburg & Brian Thompson, MOD70 Phaedo3 - 33 hours, 35 mins 30 secs.

Official website: caribbean600.rorc.org/

2016 Fleet Tracking | Tracking - Players | Race Information

Twitter feed: #rorcrc600 OR @RORCRacing
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THE RORC:
Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral's Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas such as the RORC Easter Challenge and IRC National Championships in the Solent

The RORC works with other yacht clubs to promote their offshore races and provides marketing and organisational support. The RORC Caribbean 600 based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success and last year the RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the new RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada in November 2014
The RORC is based in St James' Place, London and Cowes, Isle of Wight
In co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, RORC is responsible for IRC, the principal international handicap system for yacht racing worldwide.The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France

The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement. For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com and www.rorc.org

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