December 14, 2011
Canadian fleets off to a strong start in week two!
The 'Doctor' took a break for today as the day began overcast with an offshore breeze. After a gentle start to the day the breeze slowly built topping out in the low twenties. Race one across the majority of courses was in a building breeze, starting in and about 10 knots and finishing up in the mid-teens. Race two was mid-teens to the low twenties depending on the course area you found yourself on. The off-shore breeze is the talk of the boat yard as most have become expectant of the doctors arrival, and presenting a new option early in the racing for everyone. There were big scores put up by numerous players across a number of the fleets, creating some interesting early dramas.
December 12, 2011
Sailing as a TV Sport – The Downside of Ainslie’s Rule 69
The demand from the IOC is that Olympic sports improve their ratings. ISAF has responded with medal races and here at Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, with a stadium course. But television steps onto the field of play… Yesterday, in the name of more exciting television, the ISAF contracted Sunset & Vine TV boat twice powered down the run, following the Finn class race leader Pieter Jan Postma and putting significant wash on Ben Ainslie.
December 12, 2011
The Stars are Sailing in Perth! Medal Race Day
The Medal Race day provided entertainment for the fans crowding the grandstands and Bather's Beach board walk. Although far from windy there was enough breeze to provide solid racing for all with the wind ranging from 7-13 knots. Each of the four fleets had intriguing story lines and tight battles throughout the top 10. Full results of these races and more can be found at www.perth2011.com. Nine different countries secured medals today out of the 12 medals available, with the Netherlands and GBR being the only countries to score more than one medal on the day.
December 9, 2011
Sailing Film Premier – The O Canada Project
An invitation to watch The O CANADA Project Sunday December 11 at 7pm on CBC’s Documentary Channel. Rogers 325, Cogeco 170, Bell TV 336, Shaw Direct 513, Shaw 124, and Videotron 151. The O CANADA Project tells the story of New Zealand boat builder Alan West rebuilding the former Spirit of Canada boat, skippered by Canadian Derek Hatfield in the 2006 Vendee Globe singlehanded race.
September 21, 2011
2011 CORK Fall Regatta and Great Lakes Championships Results
After a full weekend of racing, the 2011 Cork Fall Regatta and Great Lakes Championships has come to a close. After a total of five races in the Laser fleet, local sailor and Canadian national team sailor, Robert Davis from the Kingston Yacht Club is the new Great Lakes Champion ahead of fellow Queen’s engineering students, Evert McLaughlin and Matthew Ryder (Toronto, Ontario). The overall winner and Great Lakes Champion of the Laser Radial class is Malcolm Lamphere (Lake Forest Illinois).
September 21, 2011
Antigua Sailing Week announces Sunsail as Gold Sponsor for 2012
Antigua Sailing Week is delighted to announce Sunsail as Gold Sponsor for its 2012 event. With its continuing focus on and commitment to supporting sailing at every level and with the recent launch of the new Sunsail Racing product range, Sunsail is a perfect fit with Antigua Sailing Week. Simon Conder, Head of Marketing for Sunsail said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Antigua Sailing Week and to become a Gold Sponsor for this premier yachting event.
September 20, 2011
New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup – Canadians triumphant
In a reversal of fortunes from the inaugural event two years ago, the Terry McLaughlin-led team from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club persevered today to win the 2011 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex, sailed in Swan 42s. The New York Yacht Club team finished second, with the Annapolis Yacht Club team, third. The final race days’ light and shifty conditions gave all 22 teams the opportunity to shift positions on the leaderboard, but in the end most just solidified what they had already earned.
September 14, 2011
First Today is First Today, Beneteau 36.7 North American Championships
All eyes were on the skippers and crews of Zingara and First Today as they prepared for the final day of the Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championships held at the National Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada. The two yachts were tied at 24 points each after three days and nine races and, with years of fierce competition between them, it had all the makings for a long drawn battle to the death. But within one minute of the first of two scheduled races on the last day of the regatta it was all but over. Richard Reid owner/ skipper of Zingara summed it up by saying that they were looking for a good lane at the boat end of the line but got caught with their pants down and were forced to go the right side of the course which was the wrong way to go.
September 14, 2011
Olson 25 Canadian Nationals
The Barrie Yacht Club (on Lake Simcoe's Kempenfelt Bay) recently hosted the 2011 Olson 25 Canadian National Championship Regatta on September 10/11, 2011. The 2011 event featured a very competitive seven-boat fleet that sailed six races in total over two days. Starting early on Saturday morning and running through until Sunday evening, Olson 25 skippers and crew enjoyed a full slate of racing and conditions that resulted in very close competition in challenging and sometimes shifty conditions.
September 14, 2011
Sail-World.com plans 3.5 million newsletters in Olympic Coverage 2012
The 2012 London Olympic Sailing Regatta in Weymouth is now just 10 months away (29th July -11th August 2012). Sail-World.com with large audiences around the world will have its largest ever Olympic media team and it will break new ground with a record 3.5 million event newsletters. Parent company TetraMedia Publisher Rob Kothe said today ‘During the Qingdao Olympics the Sail-World team was sending out 80,000 newsletters each day providing the most detailed coverage of the Olympic sailing regatta of any media organisation in the world.
September 14, 2011
2011 J/105 Canadian Championship wrap-up
The 2011 J/105 Canadian Championship, the premier racing event of the J/105 Fleet 4 season was awarded to Dave Shaver's Retern, also winner of the 2007 edition. This year's Championship war flag was well earned in one of the closest events for the season. Second place went to Jamaica Me Crazy, last year's winner whilst third place went to Hey Jude. The three day event was the perfect test for J/105 sailing out of Toronto, with variable wind conditions from moderate (Friday and Sunday) to high waves Saturday, current and oscillating wind directions, testing sailing and strategy of all the top crews.
September 7, 2011
You May Have to Take It With You
It’s an old joke; you can’t take it with you but when it comes to gasoline and your boat, there is a concern that some people already have to take it with them – to their dinghy, their fishing boat, their summer place, wherever you need fuel on the water, but where no one is selling it. The media is currently buzzing about most provinces experiencing gasoline prices at the city and highway pumps in the $1.35 to $1.40 range and speculation is that this may rise as the summer progresses.
September 6, 2011
The Canada’s Cup trophy returns to the Royal Canadian Yacht Club
The hotly contested Canada’s Cup match race sailing competition concluded today with Team Vincere of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club of Toronto, Canada, winning by an overall score of five wins and three losses over Team Heritage of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club of Holland, Michigan. The Canada’s Cup trophy returns to the Royal Canadian Yacht Club awaiting a future challenge from US sailors. Teams headed out to the race course knowing the contest would be decided on the last and final day. Team Vincere had a slim one race lead going into the final day with an overall score of three wins and two losses.
September 2, 2011
Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship winner Corey Sertl
Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (RIWKC) – Corey Sertl, from Rochester, NY moved ahead of both Anna Tunnicliffe and Sally Barkow to win. Corey's daughter Katja Sertl, in her second ever RIWKC, placed eighth and another local sailor, Kiki Werner was fifth. Top international boat went to the Dutch team, skippered by Marieke Poulie in 10th place, and top Canadian team was Sharon Ferris. This bi-annual event, sponsored by Rolex from it's inception,
September 2, 2011
2011 Canada’s Cup Competition – Day 1
The first day of the highly anticipated Canada’s Cup international match race sailing competition was delayed due to lack of wind. Team Heritage of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club is defending the cup against Team Vincere, representing the Royal Canadian Yacht Club of Toronto, Canada. Heritage defeated Team Convexity of the Chicago Match Race Center last weekend in the Defender’s series by a final result of five wins and one loss. At approximately 10:00am, the two competitors, race committee, race support boats, and approximately fifteen spectator boats left Holland harbor,
September 2, 2011
2011 Mobility Cup
A Quebec quartet continued its dominance in the Gold Fleet competition of the 2011 Mobility Cup Thursday, though the top spot changed hands. Marc Villeneuve jumped ahead of previous leader Pierre Richard on the strength two first-place finishes at the event hosted by The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club and the Burlington Sailing & Boating Club. Both sail for the Association Quebecoise de Voile Adaptee.
September 1, 2011
Alan Leibel of National Yacht Club Wins Int’l 2.4mR NA Championships
With fairly consistent easterly winds ranging from 4 to 12 kts, the International 2.4mR North American Championships finished today at The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Hamilton, Ontario. Oscillating shifts kept the sailors busy especially in the third race when the wind produced 12 kt gusts. The second race brought out the black flag by CRO Anne Sanderson and the fleet fell quickly into line.
September 1, 2011
Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship – Tied at the top
Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championships – Anna Tunnicliffe moved into first to tie up the lead with Sally Barkow. Corey Sertl remained in second and Carol Cronin moved into fourth. Racing on Lake Ontario didn't start until after noon, when the wind came in and settled. After that the race committee pulled off three good races. The conditions ranged from light and variable to wavy with good breeze.
September 1, 2011
Mobility Cup 2011 day 2 racing
Genevieve Wickham of Sailability/Royal Perth Yacht Club of Perth, Australia won two of three races Wednesday to consolidate her lead in the Access Liberty Fleet on the second day of the 2011 Mobility Cup. She has now won five of seven races after sailing under overcast skies and in gentle seas featuring north-easterly winds gusting up to 10 knots on Hamilton Harbour.
August 30, 2011
Canada’s largest regatta for sailors with physical disabilities begins
The 2011 edition of the Mobility Cup began today with clinics for the sailors and the Opening Ceremonies. Hosted by The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club and the Burlington Sailing & Boating Club this year marks the 21st anniversary edition of the event. With more than 60 disabled athletes from five countries including Australia, the Netherlands, the U.K., U.S.A and Canada vying for a variety of trophies, this year is expected to be one of good racing on Hamilton harbor and great socializing on the patio of the RHYC.
August 29, 2011
True North Yachts Partners with Sailtime GTA
As the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show gets underway this is an opportune time to announce the creation of an evolving strategic alliance between True North Yachts and Sailtime GTA. The tremendous work done by the current owners of the Sailtime base has created a vital and exciting fractional sailing presence in the local marine community that defines Sailtime as the premier choice for those looking to take advantage of a flexible and cost efficient way of enjoying the sailing lifestyle. The inherent synergy between the two entities will enhance this success and create new opportunities for both businesses As the #1 Hunter dealer worldwide,
August 29, 2011
Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championships on hold
Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championships were all set to go with 36 teams from three countries, but the remainder of measurement, launching, and the practice race have all been cancelled due to the high winds and huge waves created on the North Shore of Lake Ontario with a north wind from Hurricane Irene. Chris Dorsey and his committee said that they had not seen breakers in the Genesee River in 30 years like they have today.
August 24, 2011
CORK OCR – Day 4, August 23rd, 2011
Yesterday the windsurfer, RS:X and kiteboarder fleets finished their 3 day event in the CORK OCR Regatta. In the Windsurfer Gold fleet, Keith Whiston took gold, with Nick Cox following in second, and Bob Shuttleworth in third. The Windsurfer Silver fleet saw Giancarlo Brotto in first and Diane Houston in second. The RS:X fleet finished with David Hayes in first, Dominique Vallee in second and Caroline Emmanu de Alcala in third. Lastly, the youth Bic293 had a great regatta with Fannie de Alcala taking gold, Gabriel Verrier Paquette in second and Artem Lavrynenko in third. Congratulations to all!
August 23, 2011
An Olympic Nightmare Unfolds – It’s Not Just A Classes’ Debate
It’s not only the classes, it’s the courses too! The International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) recent decision to change up the classes and events for the upcoming 2016 Olympics has brought a wave of controversy across sailors everywhere. It's not just a classes’ debate, it’s a courses debate too! When they concluded their annual meeting in Athens, Greece in November, the Council voted in favour of the Events Committee's provisional events slate for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.
August 22, 2011
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – Challenges of upwind sailing
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race second race in leg one, which started in Madeira and will finish in Rio De Janeiro, is currently underway. Today brings with it a change from downwind sailing to upwind beating as the fleet continues to head south towards the finish line at the foot of Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain. For the majority of the teams it appears that they have made it through the Doldrums relatively painlessly as spinnakers are now swapped for Yankee headsails.
August 22, 2011
Detroit Cup victory taken by Aussies
The Detroit Cup 2011, which is an ISAF Grade 2 event, has witnessed an impressive display of determination, patience, and skill beyond his nineteen years by Australian Jordan Reese and his team of Henry Kernot and Harry Thurston who have won the title in an exciting five match final at the Bayview Yacht Club. The team defeated Kiwi Laurie Jury in an exciting Final that went to all five matches in the first-to-three point series. Reese started the day early, defeating Brad Funk to earn their place in the Semi-Finals,
August 17, 2011
The sun shone on Chester
The final day of racing at the Chester Race Week was blessed with sunny skies, warm temperatures and fair winds. Around the Chester Yacht Club the refrain 'for yacht racing, it doesn’t get any better than this'. Andreas Josenhans generously gave of his time and significant yacht racing experience by running seminars each morning for the racers. He provided much valuable information on how to get more out of the boats, talked about the race courses, and answered questions on the rules of yacht racing.
August 17, 2011
Government of Canada Supports 2011 CORK OCR and International Regatta
KINGSTON, ON, Aug. 17, 2011 /CNW/ – The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today confirmed the Government of Canada's contribution to the Canadian Yachting Association in support of the 2011 CORK OCR and International Regatta, being held from August 14 to 24. "The Government of Canada is pleased to support this international event in the historic city of Kingston," said Minister of State Gosal. "The organizers and volunteers are giving our sailors the opportunity to compete against the best in the world, as they prepare for London 2012."
August 9, 2011
CPS and CYA Partnership for PCOC Courses
Scarborough, ON (August 8, 2011) – Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) and Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) announce a new partnership to grant CYA, in conjunction with the Provincial Associations and its qualified affiliated instructors, permission to offer the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) classroom education using the CPS Boating Basics Transport Canada approved manual and related materials. The agreement was signed in Kingston on June 8, 2011. Combined, these two national organizations provide a comprehensive portfolio of practical and classroom courses for pleasure craft operators on sailing, boat safety and handling, seamanship,
August 9, 2011
2011 Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) Sailing Regatta
The 2011 MLA Sailing Regatta was hosted by Beaumaris Yacht Club (BYC) on Lake Muskoka on Sunday July 31st, where over 60 sailors participated in the day, racing in 36 sailboats. A strong audience of race coaches, instructors, parents and other observers watched the racing action. Race day began with a noon Skippers meeting, followed by 3 races for 7 classes of sailboats. New this year was the Laser Pico class, a relatively new youth boat for kids ages 10-13 who have mastered the Pram or Opti and are getting ready for the transition to the Club 420.
August 9, 2011
Chester Race Week launches with a bang!
The largest keel boat regatta in Canada, hosted by the Chester Yacht Club, hits the starting line at noon on Wednesday, August 10th. The official opening ceremonies will commence in front of the Club at 9:00 am. The chair of Chester Race Week, Dr. John Curry will officiate. Gerald Keddy MP for South Shore-St. Margaret’s will bring greetings from the federal government as will dignitaries from local governments. As the club burgee is hoisted to the yardarm by the commodore Don McAlpine, the very loud starting cannon will declare CRW 2011 launched. Dr. Curry stated 'with a fleet of over 132 yachts already pre-registered this regatta may well be one of the largest ever.
August 9, 2011
Nine teams compete for coveted York/Stolz Cup Match Race held at RCYC
Nine teams complete for coveted York/Stolz Cup Match Race held at RCYC August 6-7 on the waters of Toronto Harbour. Held in Sonars, these nine teams from Canada and the US completed a full round robin of 36 races on Saturday August 6th. Event organizer David Jarvis, provided excellent racing, equipment, and hospitality with Chris Cook rounding out the team as the Principal Race Officer. Moving into Sunday Peter Wickwire lead the group with a flawless 8 wins, followed by Steve Lowry, and then a three way tie for third with Terry McLaughlin, Magnus Sandberg,
August 9, 2011
Two Canadians Enter Buddy Melges Challenge
With the 2012 London Olympic games right around the corner, the Third Annual Buddy Melges Challenge has taken on even greater importance. Hosted by Sail Sheboygan, one of four US Sailing Centers, the Challenge is expected to draw teams from around the world to the shores of Lake Michigan, August 22nd through the 27th. The Buddy Melges Challenge is one of just four ISAF Grade 1 women’s match racing events in the country. Contested using the new Olympic-designated Elliott 6m boats, most of the international field of competitors will use this regatta as a springboard to potential Olympic success.
August 9, 2011
Miss Supertest in Spotlight Again with Commemorative Stamps
The national unveiling of two stamps Monday, commemorating the three-peat Harmsworth Trophy win by Miss Supertest III, capped off a very successful celebratory weekend in Picton. The Canadian hydroplane Miss Supertest III captured her third Harmsworth Trophy just kilometres away from the 50th anniversary show site of Loch Sloy Holdings (the former Camp Picton) which donated a hangar for the event. Dignitaries in attendance included MP Prince Edward Hastings Daryl Kramp, MPP Prince Edward-Hastings Leona Dombrowsky, Prince Edward County Mayor Peter Mertens and members of county council.
July 26, 2011
Ontario Sailors Do Well At Laser North American Championship
Brant Beach, NJ was home to the 2011 Laser and Laser Radial North American Championships, July 12th -15th, and also home for several Canadian athletes during this event. Ontario was well represented, having 15 athletes competing in the Laser class and 11 athletes competing in the Laser Radial class. The venue consisted of extremely shallow waters with several weedy patches patches for the athletes to avoid across the race course. Day 1 consisted of three races for both the fleets and included moderate breeze from the West, South West with fairly large shifts and immobile patches of pressure spread across the course.
July 20, 2011
Chicago-Mackinac Race—100 Knots and Off the Clock
The Chicago Yacht Club's 103rd Race to Mackinac, presented by Veuve Clicquot—Hearing that it’s windy and rainy is one thing. Hearing that water is vaporizing all around you is a completely different tale of horror. Tim Prophit, owner and co-skipper of Fast Tango, an North American 40 out of the Bayview Yacht Club, and his crew have seen the other side. In fact, their descriptions of the 'strobing' lightning and 'white water everywhere' are on an entirely different level than anything that racing sailors in North America have seen in many, many decades.
July 18, 2011
Coast Guard releases names of crewmembers involved in vessel capsizing
Having completed notifications of the next of kin, as well as debriefing immediate family members regarding the details of the search, the Coast Guard is officially releasing the names of those boaters who died and those who were rescued this morning in Lake Michigan. Deceased are: Suzanne Bickel, age 41; and Mark Morley, 51, both of Saginaw, Mich. Rescued were: Christopher Cummings, age 16; John Dent, 50; Stan Dent, 51; Peter Morley, 47; Stewart Morley, 15; and Lee Purcell, 46.
July 12, 2011
Announcing Yacht Brokerage Universities
YachtWorld.com, the world’s largest Internet yacht brokerage portal and a division of Dominion Enterprises, is partnering with the Yacht Broker Association of America to co-present two more Yacht Brokerage Universities (YBU): Mississauga, Ontario on August 4 and Seabrook, TX on August 11. Canadian Yachting and Boating Ontario are also providing industry support for the Yacht Brokerage University in Ontario.
July 11, 2011
Excitement is building for the 2011 Lake Ontario Challenge
Preparations for the 2011 Lake Ontario 300 are well underway as boats continue to register for this challenging and exciting race. Last year the fleet was hit with severe storms early on forcing many to retire. Most of these boats are returning this year to complete the course and 'deal with unfinished business'. The race begins on Saturday July 16th and the participants will race in a range of categories including, single handed, double handed and fully crewed divisions. Boats competing vary from fast, sleek 40 foot sleds to more traditional racer-cruisers and multi-hulls.