Spithill: We’ve got to develop the fastest 72 on the Bay - America’s Cup

Speaking over the weekend, ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill says his team can’t let up on its development push following the launch of its second AC72.

© Guilain Grenier / ORACLE TEAM USA

“Quite simply, we’ve got to develop the fastest 72 on the Bay and we have to keep this process going,” he said. “I think we’ll be doing this until the last race of the America’s Cup. We’ll be doing everything we can to keep modifying, keep improving, and that’s what’s great about this team. We have a proactive build team and engineering team. You give them a challenge and they grab it with both hands and run with it.”

ORACLE TEAM USA launched its second AC72 one week ago and had it up on foils on its maiden sail. The boat has been in the shed since then as the team serves a Jury penalty that restricts it from sailing an AC72 for five days. The American defender can return the 72 to the water on Wednesday.

Hawaiian Shane Dorian Leads Field of Nominees for Friday's Bilabong XXLBig Wave Awards

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - (April 30, 2013) - Hawaii's Shane Dorian leads the list of finalists in the 2013 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Pacifico taking place this Friday, May 3rd in Southern California. Thanks to several extraordinary rides on an epic swell at Jaws on Maui, Dorian, 40, accrued an unprecedented five nominations in the event - one in every category except wipeout and female performance.

 

Taking place at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, the 13th Annual Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards will once again serve as the Oscars for the big wave surfing world, acknowledging landmark moments in the sport at any break anywhere on the planet as long as it was captured on camera. Nominated waves were challenged in Ireland, Fiji, Portugal, Australia, Hawaii and at the Cortes Bank, 100 miles off the coast of Southern California. All the nominated rides can be viewed on the event website at www.BillabongXXL.com.

Dorian is up for an assortment of awards including Pacifico Paddle, XXL Biggest Wave, Surfline Overall Performance, Pacifico Tube and the Ride of the Year. If he were to sweep, Dorian could potentially walk with prize money totaling $90,000 out of the Billabong XXL's total purse of $122,500. The Kona resident is no stranger to the XXL winner's circle - he has collected champion honors in various categories six times over the last decade, more than any other surfer.

In counterpoint to Dorian's distinguished career is first-time nominee Anastasia Ashley of San Clemente, California. Ashley, up for the Billabong Girls Overall Performance Award, has in recent seasons gained at least as much social media attention for her form as a model on land as for her form on a board in the surf. Ashley may now round out her list of achievements with her XXL finalist status affirming her as one of the hardest-charging big wave specialists of the year.

The top-line honor at Friday's Billabong XXL ceremony is the Ride of the Year Award, which bestows $50,000 upon the winner as voted by an "academy" of over 500 of the world's best big wave surfers, photographers and magazine editors. Nominated along with Dorian is Santa Cruz surfer Shawn Dollar, who conquered a massive open-ocean swell at the Cortes Bank (the legendary seamount 100 miles southwest of Los Angeles, California) and Orange County surfer Greg Long, for an enormous tube at Hawaii's Jaws. The other two R.O.T.Y. finalists are Hawaiians Dave Wassel and Reef McIntosh, who each completed spectacular barrel rides at Cloudbreak, off the Fijian Island of Tavarua.

Friday's awards show is invitation-only and will be attended by 2,000 surf world VIPs, but the entire proceedings will be webcast at www.BillabongXXL.com and televised on the ESPN networks on June 9.

2013 Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle! - June 1, 2013

The 3^rd Annual Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle is back and it will be the biggest and most rewarding event we’ve had! We have leveled the playing field so that everyone has a chance to win the overall prize – a $2,500 Surftech Jamie Mitchell Lahui Kai 12’6 Race Standup Paddle Board! This is the same model board that was used to win the 2012 Paddle Battle, and this year it can be yours!

The racing this year will be based on a point system. For one fee of $40.00 / CRC 20,000, competitors can participate in as many races, or as few races, as they would like. The more races you compete in, the more chances you have to win points. At the end of the day, the competitor with the most points wins the SUP!

To win will take strategy, not pure strength, skill, or a fast board. Some may choose to compete in every race, or pick just one race that they are best at. The choices and strategies are endless and will require training and forethought to have the best possible chance of winning the most points.

Thanks to our generous and loyal sponsors, we are also giving prizes to the top 3 winners in every category this year! Not only will you win Camelbaks, Smith Sunglasses, Rip Curl Watches, Lola’s Gift Certificates, Chums, Beyond Coastal Sunscreen and Pura Vida Ride gear, but you will also earn points towards winning the Grand Prize Surftech Lahui Kai.

Register Here;

BREAKING: Defending Champion John John Florence Withdraws from Billabong Rio Pro

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Monday, April 29, 2013) – John John Florence (HAW), 20, has officially withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro, the upcoming third stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).

John John Florence (HAW), 20, defending event champion, has withdrawn from the Billabong Rio Pro.

The defending event champion was sidelined during the opening stop of the year with an ankle injury sustained on the Gold Coast. Florence was unable to compete at the second stop on tour at Bells Beach and has opted out of the Billabong Rio Pro in hopes of healing 100% before rejoining the elite ranks.

“I am going to take my time and wait for my ankle to heal 100% before competing,” Florence said. “I am looking forward to being healthy and ready for Fiji and the rest of the year.”

The ASP wish John John a continued speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the water soon.

The ASP Top 34 will next do battle at the Billabong Rio Pro from May 8 – 19, 2013.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Venture Cup Roars into Life in London Today

Tuesday 23 Apr 2013 : UK The greatest powerboats in the world, superyachts, Canary Wharf, a challenge that starts at London's iconic Tower Bridge and ends at the opening of the new Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo, navy special forces and super-teams battling it out with regular amateur teams, a Swedish scientist investigating human endurance and the azure waters of the Riviera. This isn't the plot of the new bond film but the outline of a brand new world-class event which will begin in London in the summer of 2014.

The Venture Cup - the World's longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race today announced plans to start its race in the heart of London on the Thames.

The event, which was unveiled today beside City Hall in London will officially start in summer 2014 but for those that can't wait a shorter 'test-race' will be run this coming June, entitled the Venture Cup Prologue. As well as the test race which will start between the iconic arches of London's Tower Bridge there will also be a fan event village created at Canary Wharf's event site Wood Wharf which will celebrate all things nautical from June 5th to 8th 2013.

America’s Cup - Artemis Racing continues modifying Boat 1

During the America’s Cup World Series Naples teams weren’t allowed to sail their AC72 yachts, per the 34th America’s Cup Protocol.

Artemis Racing took the opportunity to put Boat 1 back in the shed for a few more modifications. The team removed the center cockpit that had been mounted off the aft crossbeam, and added a pit cockpit to each hull.

Mark Carpenter, the head of platform maintenance, said the work is, “Ongoing, really, it never ends.”

Source; America's Cup

Team STIHL Wins 9th Annual Biloxi Smokin’ The Sound

Biloxi, MS (April 28, 2013) – The 2013 Super Boat International season kicked off with the 9th Annual Smokin’ The Sound race event in Biloxi, Miss.

Powerboats covering six different classes reached speeds in excess of 140 mph as they circled a 7-mile course in Biloxi Bay. Fans packed beaches, parking garages and casino balconies all along Beach Blvd. as they watched the powerboats battle on one of the narrowest courses on the SBI circuit.

Even the threat of an oncoming thunderstorm couldn’t dampen spirits as the boats plowed through two separate races Sunday. Team STIHL, led by driver J.R. Noble and throttleman Grant Bruggemann, put on the show of the day, leading both races in flag-to-flag fashion, dominating the Superboat class in a 38-foot Skater.

The 100 Mile Paddle-NYC on JULY 20-21, 2013

The 100 Mile Paddle-NYC on JULY 20-21, 2013. This is the ultimate paddle race for teams and elite paddlers. This two day adventure paddle will test your skills, strength and endurance.

Starting 75 miles north of NYC and following the Hudson River to a breathtaking loop around Manhattan this is the best paddle experience you'll have all year.

Feel the sense of accomplishment, have a great time, a...nd discover a camaraderie with your fellow paddlers all while supporting a great cause.

This event is open to SUP, Prone and Outriggers.

100 Mile Paddle is not affiliated with Surfers' Environmental Alliance.

Visit the 100 Mile Paddle Site

 

2013 Powerboat GP Championship revs up for round one of the Championship

 

Over 40 team prepare to blast off at Lancashire Grand Prix

The 2013 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship kicks off next weekend (4/5 May) as the racers head to the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club at Carr Mill Dam, St Helens for the first round of the competition.
 
Over 40 teams are expected at the Powerboat GP Lancashire Grand Prix for the opening round and will battle for all important points in six different powerboat racing classes.

News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Gollito Powers To Victory In The Double Elimination

Austria sprung into life on the second day of the PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf as a moodier scene replaced Fridays stunning sunshine and 25-30 knots for wind made for epic freestyle conditions

Shaka Time ©Carter/PWA World Tour

News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Gollito Powers To Victory In The Double Elimination

World's Best Take ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères Titles

The medals were decided across the ten Olympic events as ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères brought the 2012-13 World Cup series to a close.

A jubilant Shaw celebrates ©Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI

An up and down breeze that never truly filled in at any point ensured for close knit racing on the final day in the south of France.

Although Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) brought an 18 point 49erFX lead into the final day there was no room for complacency as three double point Medal Races could have brought dramatic changes.

Keeping out of trouble they posted a steady 5-4-5 to take their second ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta win of the 2012-13 season. "We're happy that we've won our first World Cup event in Europe," said Maloney, who with Meech won the inaugural 49erFX event at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. "It was quite stressful out there with it being so light and shifty and the lead changed all the time."

There is room for optimism with the girls, however they know the road to Rio will take time, "It's just beginning," said Meech. "Most of the girls are quite new to the boat so there's a long way to go and it's going to keep getting harder."

Kailis' King of the Point Presented By the City of Stirling

Epic waves greeted competitors on the final day of the Kailis' King of the Point presented by the City of Stirling at Trigg Beach today.

Jake Paterson © Surfing WA/Woolacott

With light winds and a bump in the swell overnight, clean sets rolled through Trigg Point all morning. The action in the water was red hot as contestants battled it out for a spot in the finals and to ultimately be crowned 'King of the Point' to go home five thousand dollars richer.

 

Rusty team-rider Jay Davies (Yallingup) and Margaret River's Dave Delroy-Carr put on a stellar show against their counterparts in the semi-finals but were unable to match the power and style of former ASP World Tour competitor Jake Paterson (Yallingup) and multiple Margaret River Classic winner Tom Innes (Dunsborough), who battled it out in the man-on-man final in front of a building crowd.

 

Despite a south westerly change creating some unwanted lump and bump on the waves, Yallingup surfer Jake Paterson powered through the afternoon conditions to prove he is still a dominant force in competitive surfing.

Volvo Ocean Race | Driving the future – a race against time

The latest episode of Building the Future presents a race against time – and the elements – for Rick Deppe and his crew, as they attempt to get the hull and deck of boat number 1 to England in time for assembly at Green Marine.

Hull number one of the new Volvo Ocean 65 being transported from

Bergamo, Italy to Hamble, England.

More; Volvo Ocean Race | Driving the future – a race against time

Tiago Pires Pulls Knee Ligament After Barrel Run Through Portugal

ERICEIRA, Portugal (Monday, April 29, 2013) – Tiago Pires (PRT), 33, is Portugal’s first qualifier on the elite ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) and “The Portuguese Tiger” has more than an ample following of passionate Europeans backing him amongst the world’s elite.

In his sixth year as a member of the elite ASP Top 34, Pires has had a slow start to 2013, posting a 25th on the Gold Coast and a 13th at Bells Beach in the opening two events. The powerful natural-footer then traveled home to recharge following the Australian leg and scored incredible surf during the Portuguese springtime.

“The last few days at home have been absolutely crazy, with good surf pretty much everywhere. From Ericeira to Peniche and a bit of Carcavelos(where the prime is going to be after the WCT in Peniche) in the mix!”

However, the good luck wouldn’t last as Pires would suffer a dry-docking injury to his knee, jeopardizing his attendance at the upcoming Billabong Rio Pro.

“I’ve pulled a ligament in my left knee while surfing this past Saturday. Usually they predict four-to-six weeks with these type of injuries but I’m working hard everyday to recover for Rio. I’m doing two sessions of physiotherapy a day hoping that I can be close to 100% before the event.”

The ASP will continue to update on Tiago’s situation as information becomes available.

For more on TIAGO PIRES, check out his ASP WCT PROFILE

The ASP Top 34 will next do battle at the Billabong Rio Pro from May 8 – 19, 2013.

ACEA CEO Stephen Barclay looks back over the nine America’s Cup WorldSeries events

What a finale! Naples delivered huge crowds (again), great weather and exciting competition. Proof, if any was needed, that this in-shore racing in fast boats with the world’s best sailors is what the fans want.

As I have written before, it is also what the sailors want because the best excel when they are pitted against the best. To illustrate the point, there have been 6 different winners of the 9 fleet racing competitions and 4 different winners of 8 match racing competitions.

I believe a couple of comments from Roman Hagara and Ben Ainslie after racing on Super Sunday put the level of competition into context.

To Roman’s comment: “I feel I’m finally ready to race now,” Ben replied: “Yeah, I thought it didn’t look too hard on TV but needed an event to get up to speed.”

The 2013 Super Boat Season Has Officially Started!

The season is officially underway here in Biloxi, MS. Teams are setup in the dry pits with boat testing scheduled throughout the day. If you’re in the Biloxi area, come on over and take a look at these beautiful boats for yourself. The dry pits are across from the beach, next door to The Biloxi Grand Hotel and Casino on Highway 90. Races start at 11:00 and 1:00 on Sunday.

See the complete schedule of events.

May 4 - 5: Standup for the Cure and Junior Pro & Youth SUP Fiesta | SUPMagazine

Summertime is just around the corner and May 4 – 5 are two days to block out for SUP fun! Saturday, May 4th, is the 2nd Annual Standup For the Cure event, followed by Sunday May 5th’s Inaugural Performance Paddling Junior Pro & Youth SUP Fiesta presented by Ocean Minded.

May 4 - 5: Standup for the Cure and Junior Pro & Youth SUP Fiesta | SUP Magazine

The Surf Doctors' First Aid Kit

The Surf Doctors' First Aid Kit: Life has its surprises and The Surf Doctors' First Aid Kit has been prepared to keep travelers away from hospitals and continuing on their surf holidays.

All signals go for ORACLE TEAM USA 17

Patience is a virtue for ORACLE TEAM USA. After launching its new AC72 on Tuesday, the team finally got the green light to commence sailing trials.

As wing sail trimmer Dirk de Ridder says, “We foiled pretty much on the first downwind run we did, which was hard to avoid.”

Watch the video 

Breeze Kicks In For Final Series Start At ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères

The mistral at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères kicked in on the third day of racing in the South of France as the final series got underway, pitting the top sailors against one another.

France's Audrey Ogereau and Matthieu Vandame ©Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI

After two days of tricky breeze a fresh 17-20 knot easterly breeze was welcomed by the sailors as racing ramped up.

Making the most of the conditions in the Nacra 17 was Sweden's Tim Shuwalow and Hanna Klinga who moved into pole position whilst France's Audrey Ogereau and Matthieu Vandame were in fine form taking two bullets to progress up the leader board.

Carrying forward a non discardable fifth place from the qualification series the Swedes notched up a third, second and an eighth, discarding the latter, to open up a three point advantage over Switzerland's Matias Buhler and Nathalie Brugger (SUI).

America's Cup - AC Uncut at ORACLE TEAM USA launch

ORACLE TEAM USA enjoyed a sun-kissed day yesterday for the launch of its second AC72 wing sail catamaran. Team members said the sleek speedster is a refinement of Boat 1, which was launched last September and then re-launched in February.

“We’ve learned a lot from foiling Boat 1,” said team skipper Jimmy Spithill. “We’ve made some changes to our foils, to our aero packages on this boat, and then there are a lot of refinements in the systems and how the guys sail the boat. There’s so much that’s gone into Boat 2, and there’ll be so much that goes into it in the future.”

The sun-splashed day meant that the wind would kick in at some point. Just as the team was hoping to go for a shakedown sail after the launching ceremony, the seabreeze piped up to 20 knots and the team thought better of going for a sail. There are too many refinements to risk damage.
“This boat is a little bit different from the last one,” said design director Dirk Kramers.

“We’ve changed a few things around in trying to improve the aerodynamic features and there are still a few things to come, which we’ll see in the next few months. But this is just one step along the way.
“It’s really about how you put the whole package together,” Kramers continued.

“Sometimes one area becomes a bit more import than another, but in the big picture you have to make sure you have no weaknesses. You have to make sure you do everything well, or well enough.”

Surf Industry's 24th Annual Waterman's Weekend Honorees Announced

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) will honor industry leader Fernando Aguerre as Waterman of the Year, Grammy-nominated musicians and surfers Brandon Boyd and Incubus as Environmentalists of the Year, and former world champ and surf industry legend Peter "PT" Townend with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of the association's annual Waterman's Weekend environmental fundraiser. Jon Rose, founder of Waves for Water, will also receive a Special Achievement Award for his ongoing environmental and disaster relief work, specifically with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts this past year.

The 24th Annual Waterman's Weekend will be held August 9-10, 2013, at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif. The weekend begins Friday, August 9, at the Monarch Beach Golf Links with the Waterman's Classic Golf Tournament, and culminates on Saturday, August 10, with the Waterman's Ball and Auction.

"Waterman's Weekend is not only a time to raise awareness and funds for environmental causes, but it is also a time to recognize those who have committed themselves to the progression of the sport of surfing," said Paul Naude, chairman of the Waterman's Weekend Event Committee and president of the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors. "I am blown away by the accomplishments, sacrifices, and passion of each of our honorees. Fernando, Brandon and Incubus, PT, and Jon all truly inspire our industry

Celebrities & Professional Watermen Paddle To Save Gaviota Coast

Celebrities and professional watermen are coming together to paddle 20 miles along the Gaviota Coast on Saturday, May 25th to support the Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter's Save Gaviota campaign.

Hosted jointly by Surfrider Foundation's Santa Barbara Chapter and the Eco-Warrior Foundation, the Paddle For Gaviota has attracted big names including waterman and ECO-Warrior James Pribram, surfer/paddler Chadd Konig, actor/host/surfer and environmental and animal activist David Chokachi, long-distance paddler and 2012 SUP paddler of the year nominee Mike Vaughan, actor/director/writer/surfer Ross Thomas, Bark SUP team paddler Morgan Hoesterey... and others are expected to be added to this already impressive list of activists.

This core group of paddlers will be joining forces to demonstrate their passion for preserving the last 20 miles of rural coastline in Southern California, while raising funds and awareness for the local Santa Barbara Chapter. Donations for the 2013 Paddle For Gaviota can be made via Crowdrise.com by visiting: http://www.crowdrise.com/2013PaddleForGaviota/fundraiser/surfriderfoundation

ORACLE TEAM USA launches second AC72

ORACLE TEAM USA officially launched the team’s second AC72 today, April 23, from the team base at Pier 80 in San Francisco. Helmsman Jimmy Spithill led the team and audience in a toast after Oracle Chief Marketing Officer Judy Sim broke a bottle of champagne across the bowsprit. The boat was then lowered into the San Francisco Bay before docking out for the first time.

“It’s an awesome day. We’re all very, very excited to get it out on the water,” said Spithill. “We hope to develop the fastest AC72 that will hit the Bay. There’s been a lot of energy, a lot of hours, put into this boat from the entire team. Now, it’s up to the sailors, along with the support of the rest of the team, to get out there and really try to get the most out of this boat.”

Spithill recognized the months of work put into the design and build of the boat in preparation for the launch. “We have the best, most committed shore team, build team, design team, and the entire team is behind us, supporting us,” he said. “They’re the first to arrive, the last to leave, work 7 days a week, just to provide us with a reliable, race-winning boat, ready to go.”

ESA Crowns Southeast Surfing Champions | SUP Magazine

The Eastern Surfing Association held its 2013 Southeast Regional Surfing Championships at the New Smyrna Beach Inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida this past weekend, showcasing the best amateur surfing and paddle surfing in the region

ESA Crowns Southeast Surfing Champions | SUP Magazine

ISA RETURNS TO PANAMA FOR THE 2013 REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES

World’s Best Men and Women Surfers to Gather in Santa Catalina to Compete for Gold During a 500th Anniversary Celebration

La Jolla, California, April 22, 2013- The International Surfing Association (ISA) is excited to announce the ISA will be returning for the fourth year in a row to Panama for the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games from May 4 to the 12th.

With the full support of Panama’s President, Ricardo Martinelli, and the Ministry of Tourism headed by Salo Shamah, Panama last hosted the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Playa Venao in 2012, ISA World Surfing Games in Playa Venao in 2011, and the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Santa Catalina in 2010. The government is fully supporting the 2013 World Championship as well.

Twenty-five Nations are expected to send delegations, who will gather at the world-class reef break in Santa Catalina, Panama, to compete for the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and individual Gold Medals.

Operation Surf 2013: Active Duty and Veteran Servicemen Get Chance to Surf in Santa Cruz

On April 14th, Operation Surf commenced in Santa Cruz. Ten active duty and veteran servicemen were brought out from Brooke Army Medical Hospital, and the Center for the Intrepid in Texas. They spent 4 days in the water, learning to surf with the likes of Richard Schmidt, Flea, Barney, Davis Paskowitz to name a few.

This healing event is put on through a collaborative effort by Operation Comfort, Amazing Surf Adventures, and Richard Schmidt Surf School. As part of their on going rehabilitation, Operation Surf helps our wounded heroes face their challenges, and overcome perceived obstacles. The transformation in these guys from day 1 to day 4 is amazing, and the smiles are infectious.

Twice a year this event happens in Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo. The communities turn out in force to host the soldiers, donating meals, lodging, and transportation, as well as their valuable time volunteering. The results are some very happy men and women who have so bravely sacrificed for their country.

Source; Surfline

Wave-riding legend Robby Naish turns 50!

Robby Naish is windsurfing royalty. A pioneer of kiteboarding and world record setter, his name is internationally renowned and he is the first person to have gained long-lasting fame in the sport.
Naish, who began surfing and sailing in his early years and then started windsurfing at the age of 11, won his first windsurfing world title in the Bahamas to become the youngest world title-­‐holder in the history of the sport at age 13.

He successfully defended his crown the following year in Sardinia, Italy and made it a hat trick of world titles when he triumphed again in Cancun, Mexico in 1978, and again in Florida in 1979. For the following decade, he dominated windsurfing competitions worldwide, travelling extensively and competing in more than 20 countries each year on the professional tour.

An excellent slalom and course racer, his Hawaiian upbringing from the age of five has provided him with a special affinity and talent for wave riding. He made a clean sweep of all four titles in the inaugural Pro World Tour in 1983 -­ clinching the overall, the wave riding, the slalom and course racing championships -­ and repeated the feat in 1984. Over his windsurfing career, Robby earned himself a total of 24 world championship titles and over 150 event victories.

Super Boat Teams Ready For Biloxi Offshore Race

Biloxi, MS (April 22, 2013) – The 2013 Super Boat International offshore racing season is finally here and there is no better place to kick it off than in Biloxi, Mississippi. Race teams and fans are ready for the 9 th annual “Smokin’ The Sound” race event, April 26th – 28th, which is shaping up to be a spectacular weekend. Biloxi and the entire Gulf Coast area rolls out the red carpet for Super Boat, race teams and, most importantly, the fans of powerboat racing.

SBI is excited to return to the waters off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where fans have been witness to exciting races in years past. This year, fans should expect to see some of the most recognized and professional offshore teams competing in offshore racing. Racers and teams come to compete from all around the United States with many coming from overseas. Super Boat International is proud to be the most recognized professional offshore racing organization around the world.

“We are looking forward to going to Biloxi and starting our 1st race of the season. The local organizing committee has really worked hard to put this event together, along with the commitment of Woody Bailey, who has been incredible during the process. We are looking forward to having an exciting race,” comments John Carbonell, President of SBI.

Just to the west of Grand Casino on Beach Blvd, fans can find the dry pits, where the boats are staged during the weekend. This is where the boats will start to arrive on Friday and the teams begin setting up their boats for testing. The newly combined “Superboat Class”, boasting power of twin 700’s or greater, should be very exciting to watch. Many of the other classes provide some of the best, deck-to-deck competition.

Teams and sponsors work in the off-season preparing their race boats to participate in the eight National Super Boat International races taking place across the country. The official points standings will go back and forth during the year, ultimately determining the National winner in each class. However, most teams will make sure their equipment is ready for the final Super Boat event of the year, the World Championships in November in Key West Florida.

Over the years, racing in Biloxi and the Gulf Coast shores have provided some of the most exciting racing to date. The sea conditions are always a variable, one day the seas can be flat and calm and, on race day, they can build up to be quite treacherous. Whatever the weather brings, one thing is for sure… fans can expect some very fast exciting racing.

Source; SBI International

SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro Confirmed as ASP PRIME for 2013

PRAIA DE SANTA BARBARA, Sao Miguel/Azores Islands (Monday, April 22, 2013) - The pristine Azorean coastline will once again host some of the World’s best surfing talent at the upcoming SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro, from September 3-8, 2013. The event returns to its Prime status and integrates an important Portuguese leg of events.

Following the successful completion of last year’s event in pumping surf at the iconic Praia de Santa Bárbara, ASP has awarded the coveted Prime event status to the Azores. The event will see the World’s Top 100 surfers battle it out for a richer prize-purse of $250,000 and incredibly valuable ranking points towards qualification for the World Championship Tour.

“It is great news to confirm the SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro is going to have a Prime rating this season” comments Rob Gunning, ASP Europe’s Tour Manager. “This event has established itself over the years on our ASP Europe calendar and this year we are proud to welcome once again the world’s best surfers to the beautiful islands of the Azores.”

“The Prime rankings points will be crucial as surfers vie for a position on the rankings ladder leading into the second half of the season where we always see the pressure build and fantastic battles take place in the water” continues Gunning. “I thank the Azores Tourism board for their commitment to professional surfing and to see the SATA Airlines Azores Pro once again as one of the top events worldwide of the ASP.”

Fernando Zegers claims the Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile Trials 2013

Fernando Zegers claims the Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile Trials 2013: Zegers conquered the first ticket to the main event of the Chilean big wave surfing contest, after winning the Trials, in 18-20 foot wave conditions.

Vendee Globe - IMOCA chooses the boat for the future

The Skippers and Members of IMOCA met in Paris on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April 2013 at the IMOCA Annual General Meeting to decide the future direction of their class, and in particular to discuss two major subjects: the design of the future boat and the programme for the years to come.

 

The technical committee of the class has been working for two years reviewing the different possible architectural designs of the new boat, to comply with several constraints: to reduce the costs, to increase reliability and to allow the boats to stay competitive. The majority decision reached was an integrated solution, with a one-design mast and keel. The other elements of the boat must conform to the rules of stability, speed, length and construction materials. The boats will remain at 60 feet in length, with a bowsprit of 1.8 metres and the one-design keel must meet the specifications that were previously agreed, with particular note to the rule applying to a single piece of forged steel (Inox) for the keel blade.

This new rule comes into immediate effect for all new boats while the current boats can continue to sail under the 2012 rules, or can decide to comply to the new regulations.

Team Morton Water take weekend honours at Powerboat P1 Superstock in Stuart

first place in the opening heat and a second place in the final heat gave them 69 heat points, just three ahead of the AO Coolers team who fought hard for the win.

Championship leader Tom Morton said: “What a great weekend! We worked really hard today to make up for where we placed in the second heat yesterday. We’re heading home very happy to North Carolina tonight and very proud to be the championship leaders. We’ve got to get some practice in before the next race in Daytona as the conditions are going to be so different to this weekend.”

Second place in today’s first heat went to Team ProBoat who were followed over the line by the P1 Marine Foundation boat with UK pilots James Norvill and Christian Young who will be disappointed not to finish in the top three this weekend after a very consistent US racing debut.

The second heat was won by AO Coolers, followed by Morton Water and Pier 57.

“I would never have believed it in a million years,” said an emotional Daniel Racz. “We came with no major expectations so to be heading home with two wins out of four heats is a very special feeling.
This shows that new teams can run at the front because the series has such parity.”

The next round of the P1 SuperStock Championship in the USA sees the teams take to the challenging offshore waters off Daytona Beach on 14 – 16 June but before that the UK P1 SuperStock Championship kicks off in Hull where US racers Andy Biddle and Tracy Blumenstein will be making their UK debut.

OVERALL STANDINGS
1 Morton Water 20
2 AO Coolers 17
3 Pier 57 15
4 Team ProBoat 14
5 P1 Marine Foundation 13
6 CL-Alpha.com 12
7 Livorsi 11

Source; USA Superstock

Red Bull Sailing: America´s Cup World Series detour – a complete success

HS Racing completed a successful four-day premiere at the America´s Cup World Series 2013, crossing the line in eighth place in Naples, Italy, after a penalty at the very finish on the super final on Sunday. It may have ended their chances of a top result but did not spoil a successful debut in the series. Luna Rossa Swordfish clinched overall victory after a fleet racing finale win. HS Racing’s double Olympic champions Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher are now off to China on Friday for their third stop on the Extreme Sailing Series (Quingdao May 2-5) to defend their overall lead in the multihull series (eight races).

PHOTO: Olaf Pignataro

“It was a lot of fun today and even though we were blocked at the start by Ben Ainslie, we managed to catch up very well. Our tactics were very good,” said Hagara after the Super Sunday races and his team’s solid performance. They were penalized, however, twice at the final buoy to lose valuable ground. “We had to let Team New Zealand through. We allegedly maneuvred too close to them and we obstructed them,” said tactician Steinacher, shaking his head.

ORACLE TEAM USA - New AC72 is ready to take flight

On Sunday in San Francisco, ORACLE TEAM USA rolled the team’s new AC72 racing yacht out of the shed to complete tests in advance of this week’s launch.

“While we have been racing at the America’s Cup World Series in Naples, Italy, the shore and build teams have been putting the finishing touches on our second AC72 here in San Francisco,” said general manager Grant Simmer. “At the completion of the regatta, we were able to push the new boat out of the shed today and successfully complete a round of load testing. It’s a tribute to quality work and dedication of the shore and build teams, together with the input and efforts from the sailing, design and performance teams, to complete the boat on schedule. We’re looking forward to the launch this week.”

Tests commenced shortly after the America’s Cup World Series regatta concluded in Naples, Italy, where ORACLE TEAM USA won the match race and captured the overall ACWS 2012-13 season championship for a second straight year.

“A big day for Oracle Team USA,” said skipper Jimmy Spithill. “Tom Slingsby and team won the match racing, and finished second in the fleet racing, meaning OTUSA wins a second consecutive ACWS championship – still the only team to hold the trophy since its inception in 2011. At the same time in San Francisco, the team rolled out our second AC72 and stepped the wing. A huge effort by the designers and shore/build teams. Great to see the depth and talent across the team in action.”

Source; ORACLE TEAM USA

Defending champions on the back foot as P1 SuperStock season gets underway

The 2013 P1 SuperStock season in the United States got off to an exciting start on Saturday in Stuart, Florida as defending champions Andy Biddle and Tracy Blumenstein in their ProBoat sponsored Panther ran into technical problems in the opening heat.

The pair would later be penalised for jumping the start in the second heat leaving them with a lot of ground to make up over their rivals.

High winds and rough water prevented most classes at the Stuart Sailfish Regatta from taking to the water yesterday and it was left to Powerboat P1’s versatile SuperStock boats to keep the crowd entertained with some dramatic racing.

In the opening heat a gearbox problem slowed Team Proboat’s attempt to win the first race of the new season but Biddle and Bluenstein battled their way back through the field to finish in a credible fourth place. The race was won by father and son pairing of Tom and Jason Morton. Jason raced at two events last season as a substitute driver but this year the pair have bought a P1 Panther and look likely to be competitive all season. “It felt great to win the first race of the season. Jason won the last race of last season so to win here today means we have a good thing going right now,” said a delighted Tom.

Luna Rossa, ORACLE TEAM USA winners at America’s Cup World Series Naples

Led by helmsman Francesco Bruni, Luna Rossa Swordfish today won the overall championship of the America’s Cup World Series Naples.

Bruni posted a thrilling win in the fleet racing finale, coming from behind on the final run in a race that saw the lead change hands three times.

The win was cathartic for the emotional Italian helmsman. Earlier in the day Luna Rossa Swordfish lost the match racing championship to ORACLE TEAM USA SLINGSBY. Bruni was critical of his performance in the loss after leading the match early on.

“This win was the only way to forget our mistake in the match racing,” said Bruni, who will be the tactician aboard Luna Rossa Challenge’s AC72 in the upcoming Louis Vuitton Cup, America’s Cup Challenger Series (July 4-Aug. 30).

“The fleet race win really means a lot to me. We had an opportunity for the double win, but just missed out. I can’t thank my crew enough, Paul Campbell-James, Max Sirena, Xabi Fernandez and Manuel Modena. They did a great job today.”

2013 ISA World Surfing Games- Santa Catalina, Panama Official Promo

The 2013 ISA World Surfing Games will take place in Santa Catalina, Panama from May 4-12. Stay tuned for all the action and live webcast on www.isasurf.org

P1 Superstock: India Awaits SuperStock Champions As Powerboat P1 Goes Global General News

International marine motorsports platform takes shape as P1 fleet heads East to new markets

P1 Superstock: India Awaits SuperStock Champions As Powerboat P1 Goes Global General News

ORACLE TEAM USA, Luna Rossa Challenge capture championships - America’s Cup World Series

ORACLE TEAM USA SLINGSBY (Tom Slingsby) won the America’s Cup World Series Naples match racing championship over Luna Rossa Swordfish (Francesco Bruni) in a thrilling come-from-behind performance.

In the fleet racing championship it was Bruni’s turn to stage the comeback, passing ORACLE TEAM USA SLINGSBY on the final downwind leg for a 33-second victory.

Bruni’s victory means that for the second consecutive year Luna Rossa Challenge has won the overall championship of America’s Cup World Series Naples.

Slingsby, however, delivered the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series overall championship for ORACLE TEAM USA.
Full report to come.

America’s Cup World Series Naples Super Sunday Preview

The final day of America’s Cup World Series Naples will also wrap the 2012-13 racing season for the global tour. The match racing and fleet racing championships will help determine the overall season champs for the second season of racing.

A large crowd is expected to take in the day’s action, which will be graced with sunny weather and winds similar to the past three days, 8 to 12 knots from the south/southwest.

The day kicks off at 11:00 with the Red Bull Air Show. The pilot is German Air Race Pilot Matthias Dolderer and the show will last around 15 minutes. Tens of thousands of people took in last evening’s show from the America’s Cup World Series Village stretching along the waterfront.

Volvo Ocean Race Legend Magnus Olsson dies, aged 64

The world of sailing is in mourning following the death of Sweden's Magnus Olsson at the age of 64. Olsson was one of the most loved and admired figures to grace the sport, with an immense track record in the race.

Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race

Olsson competed in the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race in six editions from 1985-86 to 2008-09, tasting victory with EF Language in 1997-98. He was named a Volvo Ocean Race Legends Ambassador in recognition of his enormous contribution to the event in 2011.

One of the most popular and recognisable sailors in the world, he maintained links with the round-the-world race to the end, and was working as a coach with the all-female Team SCA in Lanzarote when he suffered a stroke. He was surrounded by his family as he died on Saturday.

Offshore-style powerboat racing is coming to Lake Hopatcong Sunday May 12

Boat speeds on Lake Hopatcong are limited after Memorial Day, so it’s a good thing the inaugural Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix, May 10-12, will beat the holiday deadline.

With twin-engine racers hitting straightaways at 135 mph and cornering at 95 mph, the competitors in the Offshore Powerboat Association’s first race event of the year are used to exceeding limits.

“It’s all about adrenalin,” said Jay Muller, a Lake Hopatcong resident and the OPA’s top-ranked racer, who was instrumental in bringing the race circuit back to New Jersey’s largest lake.

Muller and up to 40 other racers will compete in six categories for a purse of about $25,000 on an “arena-style” 2.8-mile course that will be fully viewable from many locations on the lakeshore. The Brick-based OPA is using the Lake Forest Yacht Club as a staging area.
Read More; http://www.oparacing.org/2013_powerboat_racing_coming_to_lake_hopatcong.html

SilverHook Powerboats Preparing for Biloxi Grand Prix

Watch the team preparing and testing for the Biloxi Grand Prix.
SIlverHook is a completely unique boat, designed from experience, engineered to be the fastest, most efficient, ultimate mono-hull of all time.


Live stream videos at Ustream

Slingsby ready to deliver America’s Cup World Series championship for ORACLE TEAM USA

Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand won today’s fisticuffs on the Bay of Naples, but it was ORACLE TEAM USA’s Tom Slingsby who is on the verge of securing the season-long battle for the 2012-2013 America’s Cup World Series Championship in Jimmy Spithill’s No. 4 boat.

Spithill led ORACLE TEAM USA to the inaugural America’s Cup World Series season championship last year, and opened a 44-point lead through the first two regattas in the second season of racing.

He couldn’t attend this week’s regatta because the team is about to launch its second AC72 in preparation for the upcoming 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco (Sept. 7-21) so in stepped Slingsby, the Laser class Gold medalist at last summer’s Olympics.

Slingsby has shown a steady hand in his first America’s Cup World Series regatta, leading the team into tomorrow’s match racing championship and also eyeing a chance to win the fleet racing championship. But regardless of how he finishes tomorrow, ORACLE TEAM USA is in a strong position for the overall season championship (barring an unforeseen circumstance).

Emirates Team New Zealand becomes third overall leader on third day - America’s Cup World Series

1600 – In some of the most challenging conditions seen yet at America’s Cup World Series Naples, Emirates Team New Zealand showed the fleet jet-like speed in winning both fleet races while tomorrow’s match racing championship will see two first-time skippers square off for the title.
Full report to come.

1440 – Tomorrow’s match racing championship will see ORACLE TEAM USA (Tom Slingsby) racing Luna Rossa Swordfish (Francesco Bruni). The two winners defeated their in-house rivals by approximately 20 seconds each. Slingsby and Bruni are first-time helmsmen racing the AC45s, but have been solid on the race course.

1350 – After an herculean repair effort that took the better part of 18 hours, Luna Rossa Swordfish (Francesco Bruni) passed its stress test and was re-launched about 15 minutes ago, in time for this afternoon’s semi final round of the match racing championship at America’s Cup World Series Naples. The crew will sail the second semi final match, against teammates Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper). The first match sees ORACLE TEAM USA (Tom Slingsby) racing J.P. Morgan BAR (Ben Ainslie). Match 1 is scheduled to begin at 14:05 and Match 2 at 14:22. Reports from the race course show the wind blowing at 13 knots from a southerly quadrant.

1220 – The weather forecast for the day once again calls for south/south-southwesterly winds of 8-12 knots for a large portion of today’s racing. Later in the day the wind could gust in the mid-20s, which might make the second fleet race a wild affair.

New Video, Mecca, is set to Host San Diego’s Top Surf Talent

ENCINITAS, California  - San Diego has played host to a hotbed of surfing talent for decades. From icons Taylor Knox and Rob Machado to up and comers like Jake Marshall, SD has been able to lay claim to both some of the best surfers and best waves that the Golden State has to offer. A new video, Mecca, is about to surface, showcasing some of SD’s finest, who are also standout representatives of ASP North America.

Mecca is set to premier at La Paloma Theatre on May 1 and is starring Hunter Lysaught, Jake Marshall, JD Lewis, Luke Rife, Austin Ware, Eric McHenry, Darrell Goodrum and Derrick Disney.

Source; ASP North America

Red Bull Sailing: HS Racing Improves in Naples - America’s Cup World Series

Newcomers HS Racing shrugged off a material disadvantage to improve on the second day of the America’s Cup World Series 2013 off the coast of Naples, Italy, finishing sixth and eighth on the day’s races.

Roman Hagara’s team kept pace with the top teams at the start and rounded the buoy in top position both times. But they ran out of speed in the downwind leg, struggling with their year-old gennaker.

HS partner team ORACLE TEAM USA Slingsby are ahead after two days, with Energy Team (FRA) in second place.

“We are very satisfied with the second day. We had very good starts and outstanding communication on the boat,” said skipper Roman Hagara. “Even our maneuvres were superior. We felt really good out there.” But a material disadvantage cost them considerable speed and spoiled a potential surprise.

“Our gennaker is a year old,” said tactician Hans-Peter Steinacher. “We never expected the loss of speed would be that big. Even if we round the buoy ahead of Emirates Team NZL and Ben Ainslie Racing, we still have a speed disadvantage on the long course. The wardrobe just doesn’t fit.”

In their match race quarter-final HS Racing had to settle for a place behind ORACLE TEAM USA. “We worked our way back despite a penalty at the start but in the downwind leg we just lacked speed. It was still huge fun,” Hagara said.

With two more days of racing left, ORACLE TEAM USA Slingsby leads the standings, ahead of Energy Team and Emirates Team New Zealand. Local favorites and America´s Cup Challenger Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing are fifth and seventh.

Saturday will see the match race semi-finals and two more fleet races with local start time at 1405. All races are live on www.redbull.com

Source; ORACLE TEAM USA

“Race at the first ever Ocean Racing World Championships!” - Australian Ocean Racing selection

This is the first year the world will see a Surf Ski (Ocean Racing) World Championships, which will be held at Vila do Conde, Portugal 12-14 July 2013.

Australian Canoeing Board Member Robbie Stewart anticipates the event with great excitement.
“this is an historic occasion. It will be the Mandela Cup and Bledislow Cup of paddling”

Selection for the Australian team will take place on the 18th or 19th May, depending on wind, at the Paddle New South Wales Open Water Surf Ski Final 2013 between Station Beach and Fishermans Beach.

Up to five Open Women and five Open Men may be selected for the World Championship event, as well as three in each of the Under 23 and Junior Men’s and Women’s classes.

Stewart says that the World Championship event will allow Australia to again prove our dominance in the sporting world, as we have an exceptionally strong field to select from.

“giving Australia a chance to confirm what we always knew - that Australia is the BEST Ocean/Open Water Surf Ski Country in the world!”

Source: canoe.org.au
http://www.canoe.org.au/?Page=25988

Volvo Ocean Race - Gruelling, cruel but glorious – the end to ourround-the-race tour

Race route expert Gonzalo Infante completes his guide to the 2014-15 course with this breeze across the Atlantic and around Europe to the finish in Gothenburg. Watch out, because the last miles could easily be the hardest as tiredness and terrible conditions combine.

Newport – Lisbon: 2,800 nm
Gonzalo Infante:
The transatlantic leg is a highly symbolic one. The sailing can be rough and emotions are high as the fleet goes back to Europe, home of the race.

It's a spring crossing, the fastest feasible time to sail across the Atlantic. The winter in the North Atlantic is a bit of a drama. Spring is more feasible but you have got to be careful when trying to find a good way below the northern storm track.

So you're in for a bit of rough weather sailing, riding low pressures to go fast. At some point you have to dive south to head towards Portugal. That's another tricky connection to the Portuguese trades. They take you all the way to the Portuguese coast before a gorgeous leg finish in the Tagus River.

Steady sailing, jarring collision mark second day of racing atAmerica’s Cup World Series Naples

Strong performances by ORACLE TEAM USA SLINGSBY and Energy Team along with a jarring collision between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge were the hallmarks of Day 2 at America’s Cup World Series Naples.

 

Helmsman Tom Slingsby led ORACLE TEAM USA into the top spot in the standings with finishes of 1-2 in today’s two fleet races. Slingsby, filling in for team skipper Jimmy Spithill, also won his first competitive match race, a 34-second victory over HS Racing led by co-skippers Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher.

“It was an ideal day for us, we’re really happy,” said Slingsby, the 27-year-old Australian who won the Gold medal in the Laser class at last year’s Olympic Regatta.

“The wind was a bit steadier today so you just had to worry about getting a good start, boathandling and positioning,” Slingsby continued. “You didn’t have to read into watching the wind and everything it did. It was a beautiful seabreeze with small shifts and made things a bit easier.”

Slingsby’s performance impressed even the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, David Thorne, who was guest racer aboard ORACLE TEAM USA.

Day 1 Highlights - America's Cup World Series, Naples 2013

Ben Ainslie's J.P. Morgan BAR team is leading the standings following two fleet races in Naples. Ainslie won the second race after finishing in third place in race one and leads Emirates Team New Zealand by one point on the leaderboard. Chris Draper's Luna Rossa Piranha is in third place.

 

Check www.americascup.com for more on today's race report.

Volvo Ocean Race - Strong winds, high waves, freezing cold and albatrosses – Part II of our round the world tour

Race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante is taking us on a virtual tour through the route for the 2014-15 edition. In part II, we tackle the South China Sea and the Southern Ocean before making it round Cape Horn and heading up towards the United States.

Amory Ross/PUMA Ocean Racing/Vol

Gonzalo Infante:This north-south leg can take you much further north than expected to start with! It will also have the flavour of a homecoming for all the Kiwi sailors involved in the race.

Let’s pray for the South China Sea conditions to be better than last time. This time around the One Design boats will be able to take on tougher conditions, but the crew will get seasick anyway. Anyone willing to try the new class should not pick that leg!

The Luzon Strait can be very windy. The course to take will depend on the strength of the trade winds. If they are well established in Luzon, you can head directly to the Solomon Islands in the south east. If they are not, you will have to go to the east, even sometimes to the north. Last time PUMA and Groupama went pretty close to Japan – that was one extreme option! It’s the proof that in offshore racing, the quickest way isn’t always the most logical or the shortest one.

Volvo Ocean Race - Around the world in one interview – Part I

This is your chance to (virtually) sail the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 before anyone else! Race meteorologist and all-round route expert Gonzalo Infante is taking us step by step through the 39,895 nautical miles of the new course in an interview that will run over the next three days. Enjoy!

 

Alicante – Recife: 3,421 nm

Gonzalo Infante:
It will be a familiar start for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet as they head out of the Mediterranean into the Atlantic. The difference this time is that the leg finishes in Recife in the north east of Brazil.

It all begins with some unpredictable coastal sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. The autumn weather in the Levante area, from Valencia to Murcia, is an extreme season. Why? Because the air is cold and the Mediterranean Sea is still warm, which enhances the chances of low formations. These are very favourable conditions for storm development. They create a lot of short and choppy waves too, which are very hard on the boats and the sailors.

The Alboran Sea, from Palos to Gibraltar, is the perfect wind channel with high mountains on the Spanish and the Moroccan sides. On top of this is a permanent oceanographic feature with a lot of current due to the exchanges between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. From Alicante to Palos, the big gains or losses are about playing the coastal effects. A lot of strategy will be involved and will depend on the direction of the wind too – in autumn, it usually blows from the east but in case of westerly winds it will be an upwind Mediterranean exit.

Olympic hero Ben Ainslie takes early lead at America’s Cup World SeriesNaples

A competitive fleet of nine AC45 catamarans skippered by some of the world’s best sailors combined with unsettled wind conditions to produce an exciting opening day at the America’s Cup World Series Naples.

Ben Ainslie’s J.P. Morgan BAR crew hold the early lead in the series. They scored 21 points after placing 3-1 in the two fleet races and lead Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand crew by 1 point. The Kiwis finished 1-4.

J.P. Morgan BAR also scored a come-from-behind win in its quarterfinal race of the match racing championship in testing conditions that kept all 45 of the sailors piqued trying to decipher the tricky wind conditions.

Lost and Found - South African Surfer is Rescued

On Tuesday night, news broke that a South African surfer, Brett Archibald, 50, had fallen overboard the Nagu Laut boat while en route to the Mentawais on a surf trip. After a frantic search-and-rescue effort from the Nagu Laut and numerous other boats, Archibald was found alive 27 hours after going missing.

More; Lost and Found

Midday Update – America’s Cup World Series, race day one

1200 – When following today’s match races at AC World Series Naples, keep in mind that one of the helmsmen is a 23-year-old Swede sailing in his first America’s Cup World Series regatta.

Ekberg is touted as Sweden’s most promising sailor in the 49er class and will skipper Sweden’s entry in the upcoming Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (Sept. 1-4). But he’s never raced against the caliber of competition offered at an AC World Series and today he squares off against one of the more experienced crews in the fleet, Chris Draper and Luna Rossa Piranha.

“It’s the best possible way for us to prepare for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup,” says Ekberg. “Getting used to the boats has been a challenge. It will be exciting to see if we can manage the boat as well as the others. There are some great sailors out here. It might be a good thing I don’t know too much about all of them!”

Three match races are scheduled before the first two fleet races of the seven-race series. For Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, the racing offers a welcome respite from the past five months of testing on the team’s AC72s. But Barker is also aware of the team’s long-term goal.

World's best big wave riders descend on Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile

The Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile presented by Subaru will commence this Spring with the world’s top big wave riders competing for a $20,000 prize purse during a contest window spanning April 15- June 15, 2013. The first stop on the 2013 Big Wave World Tour, the Quiksilver Ceremonial is one of the world’s most anticipated big wave events, with hopes that this year’s competition will see massive surf and perfect tubes behind Punta de Lobos’ famous “morros.”

 

"The big swells in the Northern Hemisphere stop with the end of Winter. Fortunately at the same time, they are just getting started in the Southern Hemisphere as their Winter begins,” said Gary Linden, Big Wave World Tour Director and Contest Director. “The Quiksilver Ceremonial opens its waiting period just as the South Pacific begins to work its magic and the surfers focus on a new set of weather patterns. The endless Winter - a big wave surfer's dream!"