Kai Lenny, Annabel Anderson win 2013 Battle of the Paddle | SUP Magazine

Kai Lenny has won two World Tour surf Titles and a World Series race title. But a Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle title, basically the surf race world championship, is the one win that had eluded him. That all changed today when the 20-year-old Maui native became the newest champion in the event’s illustrious six-year history.

“This one is definitely one of the sweetest ones ever, just because this race is so gnarly,” said Lenny, who with this win arguably became the most decorated paddler in the sport’s history (all before being able to drink legally). “I kind of got shaken up in the qualifier and in this race I just wanted to stick to my guns. I knew I’d never forgive myself if I lost that lead I built up.”

On a beautiful day in Dana Point, Calif., with a three-foot swell, Lenny didn’t beat Connor Baxter and Danny Ching because he caught a great wave or slipped into first by missing a carnage-inducing set. He won the old-fashioned way: by grinding out a hard-fought win in the flats, out-paddling both Ching and Baxter, who’ve won the last two years respectively. More; Kai Lenny, Annabel Anderson win 2013 Battle of the Paddle | SUP Magazine

Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau | Surfline

Using a combination of archival footage, family photos, first-person accounts, and re-enacted scenes, Hawaiian: the legend of Eddie Aikau provides a thorough account of the life of one of Hawaii's greatest watermen. As each person in the film gives his or her recollections of Eddie, a clearer picture of humility and courage emerges. The great tragedy of his disappearance at sea looms over the film, adding poignancy to the triumphs and setbacks that Eddie faced. And taken together, the events of his life line up like stars in the Pacific night sky, marking a course of development from great surfer to ageless Hawaiian legend. But perhaps the film's greatest achievement is its deft presentation of the corrosive effects of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, and the ensuing denigration of traditional Hawaiian ways of life.

Three Scholars -- Jonathan Osario, Nainoa Thompson, and Isaiah Walker -- give many examples of the injustices done throughout the 20th century in Hawaii: The coup d'état set up by American businessmen in 1893; The systematic crushing of the Hawaiian language in schools; And pervasive stereotypes of native Hawaiians as stupid and lazy.

New non-stop challenge for Gazprom Swan 60 Class in Nord Stream Race 2013

For 2013 the Gazprom Swan 60 Class took on a new challenge of racing the full length of the Baltic Sea in the second edition of the Nord Stream Race.  The non-stop 800 nautical mile offshore race is organised by the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg (SPBYC) and the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) and this year celebrated the completion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which now allows gas to flow the full length of the Baltic Sea.   

Five Swan 60 yachts entered the second edition of the offshore race, which this year started in Flensburg, Germany and concluded in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Swan 60 teams competing were Team Russia, Team Germany, Team Europe and newcomers Team Great Britain and Team Turkey.  Crews crossed the waters of Germany, Poland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden and Finland before finally coming to the finish in Saint-Petersburg, Russia after five days of non-stop racing.

Clearwater Super Boat National - Florida Championship Unofficial Results

Rolex Big Boat Series - Battle on the Bay: Winners, Including HPR National Champion, Determined

 

Just as the America’s Cup finals did for two weeks before it, the Rolex Big Boat Series—St. Francis Yacht Club’s signature regatta—took over San Francisco Bay for four days of spirited racing this week (Thursday through Sunday, September 25-28), giving 107 teams in 10 classes the chance to enjoy stadium sailing at its finest.  In fact, for 49 years the annual event has captured for its competitors the thrill of sailing in a famous venue with even more famous winds; thus, there is always plenty of fast action for spectators to enjoy from multiple vantage points around the Bay, including St. Francis Yacht Club’s own race deck, which serves as one end of the finish line in each day’s final race.

For today’s traditional “Bay Tour” finale—the single long race that wraps up each class’s series and determines final winners—the fleet’s final push to the finish was tame in comparison to previous days when boat speeds were jacked up by brisk breezes and a strong flood tide, but the end result was all that mattered. Six class winners were awarded St. Francis Yacht Club Perpetual Trophies along with Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner timepieces, while new title holders were named in the 2013 HPR National Championship, the J/120 North American Championship and the IRC West Coast Championship. 

Volvo Ocean Race | The start of something special

To see Team SCA's new Volvo Ocean 65 actually sailing feels like a real landmark moment. This is not only the debut of a stunning new racing boat, but the beginning of a new one-design class and a whole new era – or to put it another way, the start of something truly special.

Rick Tomlinson/Team SCA

 

The new Volvo Ocean 65s are here to stay. They have been designed and built to withstand everything the oceans can throw at them over the next two editions of sailing's toughest challenge, in 2014-15 and 2017-18.

Friday's sail was nothing like a speed run or a race, more like a test of all systems and hardware, but it doesn’t matter – it’s a rare feeling to see a new boat going to sea.

Al Adaa’am 96’s Sheikh Hassan And Steve Curtis Head For Clearwater Super Boat Showdown - QMSF

 

CLEARWATER (USA): Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis will take to the waters for the last time competitively before the Key West World Championships in November, when they take part in this weekend’s 5th Annual Bright House Clearwater Super Boat National Championships, round eight of Super Boat International (SBI), in Florida.

A minor technical issue prevented the racing team from the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) from entering their new turbine racer, Al Adaa’am 96, in Sarasota in late summer, but the eagerly awaited first appearance in New York at the start of September did not disappoint and the Mystic boat, powered by Whispering Turbine engines, crushed the opposition and lapped the rest of the field in a one-sided debut.

Miss GEICO Strategy For Beating Qatar Turbine Cat: ‘Out-Turn Them’

With the Miss Mary Mac turbine-powered 48-foot Marine Technology, Inc., officially out for Super Boat International National Championships this coming weekend in Clearwater, Fla., the battle of the fastest boats in the SBI field likely will be between the piston-powered Miss GEICO catamaran and Al Adaa'am 96, the new turbine-powered 50-foot Mystic cat. The 50-footer made its debut at the recent SBI event in New York City.

With its twin 1,800-hp T-53 turbine engines, the Qatar-backed Mystic driven by Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and throttled by Steve Curtis comes into Clearwater with a 300-hp edge over the 44-foot GEICO cat with twin 1,650-hp turbocharged Mercury Racing engines. But the GEICO team's throttleman Scott Begovich and driver Marc Granet believe they can neutralize that advantage in the turns.  Read more; Miss GEICO Strategy For Beating Qatar Turbine Cat: ‘Out-Turn Them’

Round 2 Called Back ON at Quiksilver Pro France : ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals

SEIGNOSSE Le Penon, France (Friday, September 27, 2013) – Event officials have decided to call competition back ON this morning at the back-up location of Seignosse Le Penon. Waves in the 3Ft (1 metre) range are breaking on the sandbank offering clean long walls with multiple turn and air sections.

Event No.8 out of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro France plays a vital role in both the World Title race and requalification campaign of the elite ASP Top 34.

“The contest director, surfer’s representative and ASP Head Judge got together and decided to put competition ON,” Renato Hickel, ASP Tour Manager stated. “Everybody’s opinion is that there are enough waves to finish the second round today. The tide is still pushing in until 10:45am and both rights and lefts are breaking on two separate peaks surfers can choose from. Today’s schedule is Round 2 heats 6 to 12 and then the King of the Groms.”

Up first this morning will be C.J Hobgood (USA) against Alejo Muniz (BRA).

The Quiksilver Pro France is scheduled from September 26 – October 6 and will be webcast LIVE via http://quiksilverlive.com/profrance/2013


REMAINING QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 2 MATCHUPS:
Heat 6: C.J Hobgood (USA) vs Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 7: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 8: Nat Young (USA) vs Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 9: Kai Otton (AUS) vs Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 10: John John Florence (HAW) vs Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 11: Sebastien Zietz (HAW) vs Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs Travis Logie (ZAF)

Candice Appleby: "Why I'm Not Racing The Battle Of The Paddle This Year" | SUPracer.com

Boss Man’s note: Candice Appleby is a four-time winner of the toughest event in SUP racing: The Battle of the Paddle Elite Race. She has one of the most recognisable names in our sport and is always in contention at Dana Point (Candice has competed in every single BOP and her worst ever result is second…).

So needless to say a lot of fans were going to be watching Candice closely this weekend to see if she could regain her BOP crown. However, for reasons Candice explains below, that won’t be happening: The four-time champ has withdrawn from the 2013 Battle of the Paddle due to injury. Here’s the full story in Candice’s own words…

I’ve been in a bit (well, a lot…) of denial about the lack of progress of my injury. I had surgery in April and once the bandages came off and I got the “Okay” from my surgeon to get back in the water, I threw myself back into competition and training. More; Candice Appleby: "Why I'm Not Racing The Battle Of The Paddle This Year" | SUPracer.com

What is The World Championships of Paddleboarding? | SUP Races

SAN DIEGO, California - With the 6th annual California Battle of the Paddle quickly approaching (only a few days away), competing athletes and the entire stand up paddleboard community in general are buzzing with excitement.  

There is no doubt that the Battle of the Paddle (B.O.P) has become one of the largest gatherings for SUP racing in the world and that winning the title of this renowned event carries a lot of clout.  However, have you ever stopped to ask yourself which of all the SUP races/events is truly considered the "World Championships of Stand Up Paddle"? More; What is The World Championships of Paddleboarding? | SUP Races

Volvo Ocean Race | Volvo Ocean 65 hits the water at start of new era

The Volvo Ocean Race offered a glimpse of the future on Monday when the first of the radical new Volvo Ocean 65 racing yachts being built for the next two editions left the Green Marine boatyard in the UK and hit the water for the first time.

Rick Tomlinson/Team SCA

"It's a very proud moment," said Connell Daino, project manager at Green Marine. "This represents a lot of hard work by a lot of people but really it's just a beginning. We have a long way to go."

 

Radical, high-performance, tough and purpose built to deliver the best multimedia material possible – the new Volvo Ocean 65s mark the first use of a one-design boat in the 40-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Rolex Big Boat Series - Strong Beginnings

San Francisco, Calif. (September 26, 2013) –The four-day Rolex Big Boat Series kicked off with two races today in light to moderate breezes and a strong flood tide that kept 107 sailing teams in 10 classes working hard to outwit each other. The annual regatta, in its 49th running, has long been the benchmark for spectator-friendly racing on San Francisco Bay, and today there was plenty of action to catch on courses emanating from four strategically placed starting areas, including one directly in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club’s observation deck, which takes in grand views of the Golden Gate Bridge just to its west and Alcatraz Island to its east. In addition, the race deck serves as one end of the finish line for all classes in their final race of each day, making for downwind conclusions that are colorful and oftentimes dramatic in the Bay’s typically breezy conditions.

The two largest monohulls here—Isao Mita’s (Kanagawa, Japan) TP 52 Beecom and Jim Swartz’s (Park City, Utah) TP52 Vesper, a defending champion here—battled one-on-one today in IRC A. Vesper gave Beecom a caning in race one, handicapping out with more than a six-minute lead after nearly two hours of racing, and then another victory played out for Vesper in race two.

2013 Hennessey's-WPA World Paddle Championship Results! - World Paddle Association - WPA

Hennessey’s and the World Paddle Association crown 2013 Stand Up Paddle World Champions Fernando Stalla and Kristin Thomas.  Fernando now holds back to back World Championship Titles also winning in 2012. Participants competed in both Elite and Open divisions on Saturday, September 21^st at Lake Las Vegas in Nevada. Competitors paddled surrounded by majestic scenery at Lake Las Vegas with the air temperatures in the high 90’s and very challenging wind conditions just in time for the start of the Pro Slalom Race.

2013 Stand Up Paddle World Champions Fernando Stalla
Photo by Sean Douglas, Hobie 2013

Fernando Stalla paddled on a 14’ custom Rogue followed by Leou On Eric who finished 2nd and 3^rd place was our very own Byron Kurt. Kristin Thomas paddles on a 12’6” SUPLove and was followed by Betsy Risner who finished 2^nd and 3^rd place was claimed by Ruth Vesler.

Thomas Maximus landed a first place overall finish in the Pro Long Course paddling on a custom Riviera unlimited and also competed strong in the Pro SUP Slalom Race. Scott Diederich was the winner of the Open Race paddling on a 14’. Robin Jacobsen was the 1^st female across the line paddling an open stock board.

Kai Lenny wins the Overall World Series Title at Huntington Beach

Kai Lenny makes it two out of two wins in Surf City USA

After winning both the Surfing World Tour event and the World Series Sprints of the Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam, Kai Lenny (Naish) once again turned it on to take second place behind Australia’s Jake Jensen in the long distance, giving him the well deserved overall title for the event.

In the long distance, Kai led off the start, and then once again went head to head with Connor Baxter (Starboard) through the first half of the course. Things started to get switched up on the leg through the surf, as Connor got the edge on the first lap, Kai on the second, but then the Top 6 bunched up and battled for the lead throughout the remaining laps of the course to make it one of the most exciting, fiercely competitive and dramatic races yet on the Stand Up World Series.

5th Annual Clearwater Bright House Super Boat National Championship Event Is Here | Super Boat International

Clearwater, Fl. (September 20, 2013) – Super Boat International teams have raced all season and are now ready for the final race in the National Points race competition. Teams will compete Sunday, September 29, in the 5th Annual Clearwater Bright House Super Boat Championship event. This is the 7th race of the offshore race season and, with a very tight points race, the National Champion will be crowned Sunday afternoon.

“There has been some great racing all season and, when we come to Clearwater, everyone is ready to put on a great show,” comments Super Boat International President, John Carbonell. “Frank Chivas, Brian Aungst, and the entire Clearwater team along with their media partners really do a great job of promoting the race. The proof is seeing 5,000 spectator boats lining our course and fans all along the beaches. Getting good support is necessary so we can put on a great race and have a good showing for our fans. I know our teams are ready to race, so it will be a fun-filled exciting weekend,” comments Carbonell.

Rolex Big Boat Series - The Next Big Sailing Show

 

San Francisco, Calif. (September 25, 2013) – The America’s Cup may have just concluded, but with the four-day Rolex Big Boat Series scheduled to start tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 26), high-intensity sailing on San Francisco Bay will pick up right where the giant AC catamarans left off. Nurtured by host St. Francis Yacht Club for almost five decades, the annual Rolex Big Boat Series is in its 49th running. It has evolved into one of the West Coast’s premier regattas and is its own brand of "stadium sailing." With 107 teams registered to compete, the event will host over 600 competitors sailing in IRC and HPR handicap divisions as well as five one-design classes (Melges 24, J/105s, J/120s, J/70s and Express 37s) and--what everyone craves more of now--a performance multihull class.

"Our priority as the very first regatta to succeed the 34th America’s Cup here on San Francisco Bay has been to include as many classes and championships as possible while improving on the event’s multiple race courses to benefit the competition and the spectator experience," said Regatta Chair Norman Davant, adding that the four-day Rolex Big Boat Series will serve as the HPR National Championship, J/120 North American Championship, IRC West Coast Championship and the Melges 24 Pre-World competition. "Sailors have been anxious to get their racing real estate back, and we intend to give them an epic racing experience."

Ellison: ‘This regatta has changed sailing forever’ / America’s Cup

ORACLE TEAM USA founder Larry Ellison jumped aboard his sleek and swift AC72 moments after the crew had crossed the finish line of Race 19 of the 34th America’s Cup, a winner-take-all race.
“I wanted to let them know they’d just won the America’s Cup,” said Ellison. “And that’s what I told them; that’s what I said.”

The victory brought to a close the America’s Cup in San Francisco. The event ended on a high note with the captivating match between ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand, one that took 19 races in 19 days to complete.

Emirates Team New Zealand jumped out to an 8-1 lead and needed just one win to wrest the Cup back down under, but couldn’t complete the mission. Instead, the Kiwis were foiled for eight consecutive races, made to sit and watch ORACLE TEAM USA slowly and steadily claw back and win eight consecutive races.

ORACLE TEAM USA stages massive comeback to win 34th America’s Cup / America’s Cup

ORACLE TEAM USA won the 34th America’s Cup in a winner-take-all 19th race, defeating challenger Emirates Team New Zealand by 44 seconds in today’s clincher. Led by 35-year-old skipper Jimmy Spithill, ORACLE TEAM USA won by the score of 9-8.

This is the second America’s Cup win for ORACLE TEAM USA and Spithill, which won the 162-year-old trophy in Valencia, Spain, in February 2010. Then 30 years of age, Spithill became the youngest to ever skipper a Cup winning team.

In the past week ORACLE TEAM USA has steadily improved its boatspeed to the point where it could hydrofoil upwind at 30-32 knots, incredible performance never seen before in the America’s Cup.

ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand in winner-take-all race forthe 34th America’s Cup

After staging an improbable comeback from 7 points behind and with no margin for error, ORACLE TEAM USA has forced a winner-take-all race tomorrow for the 34th America’s Cup after sweeping both races today.
 

 

ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 17 by 27 seconds and Race 18 by 54 seconds and now stands even with Emirates Team New Zealand on the scoreboard with 8 points each. Only twice before in the 162-year history of the America’s Cup has there been a winner-take-all final race, in 1920 and 1983. In 1920 the defender won and in ’83 the challenger won.
 

The Kiwis have been on match point since last Wednesday, Sept. 18, but now face the possibility of watching the defender stage perhaps the most historic comeback in sport. Already ORACLE TEAM USA has won 10 races, but has 8 points because of a penalty imposed by the International Jury.

Turbine Cat Battle Shaping Up for SBI Nationals

If the current plans of both teams hold, the turbine-powered 50-foot Mystic catamaran Al Adaa'am 96 will square off against the turbine-powered 48-foot Marine Technology, Inc., Miss Mary Mac cat at the Super Boat International National Championships next weekend in Clearwater, Fla. Barring unforeseen changes, it will be the first time during this offshore racing season there has been turbine-to-turbine competition.  More; Turbine Cat Battle Shaping Up for SBI Nationals

ORACLE TEAM USA takes another step towards defending / America’s Cup

ORACLE TEAM USA’s improbable comeback is alive and well in the 34th America’s Cup. Skipper Jimmy Spithill led the defender to another wire-to-wire victory in Race 16 and now needs just three more victories to successfully defend the America’s Cup.

Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand finished 33 seconds in arrears, but still leads on the scoreboard 8-6 (the series is tied 8-8 in victories, but the defender was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury). The Kiwis need one victory to win the America’s Cup. A maximum of three races remains in the series, scheduled tomorrow and Wednesday.

“We’ve got a huge wave of momentum. The boat’s just going fantastic,” said Spithill. “That was a tough start, we had starboard entry and it was a tough time.”

World’s Best Surfers Prepare for High-Performance Showdown at Hurley Pro at Trestles : ASP World Tour

LOWER TRESTLES, California/USA (Monday, September 8, 2013) – The world’s best surfers are converging on the high-performance mecca of Lower Trestles this week for the upcoming Hurley Pro at Trestles, running from September 15 – 21, 2013.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, current ASP WCT No. 4, will be one to watch at the upcoming

Hurley Pro at Trestles.

Event No. 7 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Hurley Pro at Trestles is an annual highlight on the ASP Dream Tour with the cobblestone lefts and rights of Lower Trestles providing the ideal canvas for barrier-breaking performances from the world’s best surfers.

Why The Entire Sporting World Is Watching A Stand Up Paddler Racing This Week... | SUPracer.com

Forget Dave Kalama. Forget Connor Baxter. Forget Danny Ching, Kai Lenny or even Jamie Mitchell. There’s one Stand Up Paddler who’s a much bigger celebrity in the ocean, one who, this week at least, will have the eyes of pretty much the entire sporting world tracking his every start, finish and buoy turn.

Don’t complain about your next SUP race board purchase: Team Oracle’s carbon fiber boat

is worth around $10 million.

They’ll be watching perhaps the most famous Stand Up Paddler in the world…
I am of course talking about Jimmy Spithill.

The America’s Cup, arguably the biggest water-based spectacle in the world, is happening for the 34th time this week in San Francisco and Jimmy is skipper (aka head honcho) for the Cup defenders, Oracle Team USA.

He’s also a mad keen SUP racer.  More; Why The Entire Sporting World Is Watching A Stand Up Paddler Racing This Week... | SUPracer.com

Supconnect Shares Q&A on Ultimate SUP Showdown | SUP Races

WAIKIKI, Hawaii - Recently Supconnect was personally introduced to the man behind a new Super SUP Event called the Ultimate SUP Showdown.  It took place on Waikiki August 20th, 2013 as part of the Duke’s Ocean Festival.

An all star group of stand up paddle surfers and racers were invited to participate in the inaugural Ultimate SUP Showdown.

His name is Boyd Jeffery and he not only has some new vision for the stand up paddle competition scene, but has already made much of it a reality. Enjoy reading the Questions and Answers below and discover some bright and exciting ideas that all stand up paddle racers and surfers will want to know about!  More; Shares M&A on Ultimate SUP Showdown | SUP Races

ISAF | World Sailing | Rodion Luka Stamps Authority At Audi SB20 World Championships

Ninety, SB20's took to the race course this morning to compete in the sixth edition of the SB20 World Championships, sponsored in 2013 by Audi.

Busy at the mark ©Katie Jackson

 

 The event is organised by COYCH in Hyères, France. With winds building to over 30 knots, just one of the three scheduled races was completed before the fleet returned ashore.

The race committee recalled the class twice before getting the first race underway in winds of approximately 22 knots. As the fleet headed to the windward mark for the first time, the wind pressure increased to 27 knots. More; ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Rodion Luka Stamps Authority At Audi SB20 World Championships

Clipper Race - Second Stage Of Clipper Race Off To Flying Start

The 12 yachts competing in the world’s longest ocean race have started their 5,000 mile Atlantic Ocean crossing to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, off the French  coast today. 

Henri Lloyd under skipper Eric Holden crossed the line first ahead of GREAT Britain, followed by Derry~Londonderry~Doire, on a close-hauled start.

But it was Derry~Londonderry~Doire that was first round the windward mark followed by Henri Lloyd and PSP Logistics; GREAT Britain opted to take a penalty 720 degree turn after touching the mark.

Weekend recap: crazy, compelling racing thrills fans / America’s Cup

The first weekend of the 34th America’s Cup is a wrap. Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand has scored three victories and Defender ORACLE TEAM USA one, but the score stands at 3-0 due to the penalty imposed on the defender by the International Jury. That’s the easy part of the weekend to recap.

Approximately 80,000 fans took in some of the action on Saturday and Sunday at the two official America’s Cup venues, and tens of thousands of others lined the shores of San Francisco Bay. But it’s hard to put into words the compelling craziness of this match. For those who’ve watched a ton of match racing through the years, this match is unlike any before it. That’s partly due to the AC72, the flying machine that rips around the racecourse at 50 miles per hour. The sailors have become matter of fact about the physical nature of the boats – “This is what the boys have spent the past three years training for,” said Kiwi skipper Dean Barker – but don’t underestimate the thrashing the sailors are taking.

The 52 SUPER SERIES Showdown, A Game of Two Halves? | 52 Super Series

The official practice race today for the finale of the 52 SUPER SERIES, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia’s Audi Settimana del Bocche, might well have been a foretaste of the first few days of racing.

When the breeze piped up from 17kts to more than 25kts early this afternoon prudence prevailed and most of the nine boat fleet headed back to the haven of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda rather than risk any more breakages.

As it was, this afternoon the usually chic and immaculate YCCS Piazza was quickly festooned with ripped, sodden gennakers being hastily repaired as the wind whistled through the rigging of the race fleet of 52’s and Soto 40’s. Among the sail casualties there was one blown vang system needing attention and the bowsprit of the French Paprec Recyclage requires minor overnight surgery after their brand new bobstay broke.

Clipper Race - Race 2 Starts Today

Race 2 of the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race gets underway today from Brest, France.

The second race to Rio de Janeiro will see the crews of the world’s longest yacht race complete their first ocean crossing on the way to the iconic Brazilian city, crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The departure ceremony begins at 1030 local time (0830 UTC) with racing getting underway at 1330 local time (1130 UTC) today, Monday 9 September.

“The Doldrums is the area where Race 2 is likely to be decided. The teams will have to ensure they maintain concentration and keep the boat moving," explains Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Founder and Chairman of the Clipper Race.

“Between the flat calms and the squalls, the lack of wind will be frustrating at times but how they perform at this stage of the race will be worth watching as it could make a big difference to the final positions.”

You can keep up to date with tomorrow’s events by following the race’s official twitter feed: @ClipperRace.

The twelve-strong fleet is expected in Rio de Janeiro between 1-5 October where they will be berthed until the start of Race 3 on 11 October.
If you are interested in taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, click here for further information.

Sheikh Hassan And Steve Curtis Cruise To Stunning Win In New York Super Boat Grand Prix

NEW YORK (USA): Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis gave their new turbine racer, Al Adaa’am 96, a stunning debut in Sunday’s 23rd Annual New York Super Boat Grand Prix, round seven of Super Boat International (SBI), on the Hudson River.

 

 

The powerful turbine-powered 50’ Mystic boat, which is also badged as Spirit of Qatar 96, was the class of the entire field and the Qatar Team duo cruised to a convincing overall victory.

Ali Al-Neama teamed up with throttleman Billy Moore for the first time in Spirit of Qatar 20 and reached the finish in second position in the Superboat class, which is developing into a fascinating contest between Team WHM Motorsports and Team Stihl. Team Stihl won the race on this occasion to set up a fascinating showdown at the final round of the series.

After testing was permitted on the Hudson on Saturday, teams lined up for the 23rd Annual New York Super Boat Grand Prix at 11.00hrs local time to avoid a clash with a 9/11 memorial scheduled for 1pm.

With the stunning backdrop of Manhattan Island, the field was split into two groups with the three Superboat entrants, an entry in Superboat Unlimited and Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis in Al Adaa’am 96 in group one. Four Superboat Extreme, one Vee and one Production 3 entry lined up for the second start on the four-mile course. Spirit of Qatar 20 lined up alongside Superboat category leader Team WHM Motorsports and rival Team Stihl.

Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis cruised into the lead down the first straight, as Team Stihl led the Superboat class from Spirit of Qatar 20 and Team WHM Motorsports.

Sheikh Hassan continued to pull away from the rest of the field as the 21-lap race progressed and Team Stihl maintained the advantage in the Superboat class from Spirit of Qatar 20, once Team WHM Motorsport withdrew with mechanical issues.

The next round of Superboat International (SBI) takes place at Clearwater Florida on September 27-29.

Defender, Challenger thrilling thousands with close-quarter racing on the Bay / America’s Cup

Tens of thousands of race fans flocked to the shores of San Francisco Bay for the second day in a row and were treated to some of the most compelling America’s Cup racing in the 162-year history of the event.

A crowd of some 45,000 people took in yesterday’s racing from the America’s Cup Park, at Piers 27/29, and America’s Cup Village, at Marina Green. Thousands more lined other vantage points around the bay, and many of them returned today to see even more thrilling action, all spurred on by the wild AC72, the flying, foiling machine that can sail at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Defender ORACLE TEAM USA and challenger Emirates Team New Zealand split the two races. The Kiwis won the first by 28 seconds, overcoming a penalty and passing the defender in an exhausting tacking duel on the upwind leg. ORACLE TEAM USA rebounded to win the second race by a scant 8 seconds.

Surfing photos hailed at the 2013 Red Bull Illume

Surfing photos hailed at the 2013 Red Bull Illume: Zakary Noyle, Morgan Massen and Chris Burkard won the Sequence, Lifestyle and Spirit categories, between 28,257 shots submitted by 6,417 photographers.

Photo; Zakary Noyle

Tomas Hermes Wins ASP Prime SATA Airlines Azores Pro : ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals

Praia de Santa Bárbara, Sao Miguel/Azores Islands (Saturday, September 7, 2013) – Tomas Hermes (BRA) 26, has won the ASP Prime SATA Airlines Azores Pro in 3-4Ft waves at the primary location of Santa Barbara beach on Sao Miguel Island. The Brazilian defeated Adam Melling (AUS) 28, in a wave starved 30mn final he led from start to finish.

Hermes, who has been the giant killer in this event, eliminated Miguel Pupo (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Mitch Crews (AUS) before finally taking the edge over Melling in the final heat of the event. A complete surfer with polished power turns and an incredible ease in the air, Hermes netted his first ever major win on the ASP circuit and bumps up to the 34th spot on the World Rankings.

Five Of The Greatest Rivalries At The Battle Of The Paddle | SUPracer.com

There are certain names that are synonymous with the Battle of the Paddle. Names such as Danny Ching, Candice Appleby, Jamie Mitchell, Travis Grant and Connor Baxter. These fine athletes have dominated the BOP and pushed the sport to new levels, while at the same time creating strong rivalries among themselves.

Annabel Anderson stole the “Battle Queen” crown from Candice Appleby at Dana Point

twelve months ago (© Rainbow Sandals)

Rivalries are what make sport so enthralling. Federer vs Nadal. Slater vs Irons. England vs Australia. It gives individuals added motivation to perform while giving fans something extra to get excited about and cheer for. And now thankfully we have a few genuine rivalries in SUP racing as well.

So as part of our 24/7 coverage of the 2013 Battle of the Paddle in partnership with Starboard, today we’re looking at some of those rivalries up close…  More; Five Of The Greatest Rivalries At The Battle Of The Paddle | SUPracer.com

Clipper Race - Invest Africa Wins Race 1 From England To France

Invest Africa has won Race 1 of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race by five miles after race organisers had to shorten the course because of prevailing conditions.

GREAT Britain beat Qingdao by just 0.07 miles to come in second and third place respectively.

 

In addition, two teams received time penalties for infringing the Dover Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). This resulted in Mission Performance and Old Pulteney slipping from potential podium places in second and third respectively to the bottom of the table.

Invest Africa Skipper Rich Gould said: “It is a really great way to start the race by winning Race 1. We took a gamble yesterday morning by tacking away from the fleet and it paid off. Everyone really concentrated on getting the spinnaker up and trimming all the time and it got us ahead of the rest of the fleet.

ISAF | World Sailing | Impressive Finale To Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

The 2013 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concluded today in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. A dramatic final day ensued with three yachts making impressive recoveries to seal championship titles.

VELSHEDA's bow reflections ©Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

 

 Two windward/leeward races concluded the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship with a coastal race through the Maddalena archipelago organized for the remaining classes.

Today's winners were: Rán 2 (GBR) in the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship with a bullet and a second; Velsheda (GBR) in J-Class; Morning Glory (GER) in Maxi Racing; Nefertiti (GBR) in Maxi Racing/Cruising; Nilaya (GBR) in Supermaxi; and, Open Season (GBR) in Wally.

2013 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup winners are: Rán 2 in the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship; Velsheda in J-Class; Aegir (GBR) in Maxi; Altair in Maxi Racing/Cruising; Nilaya in Supermaxi and J-One (GBR) in Wally.

Sheikh Hassan Set To Race New Turbine Boat Al Adaa’am 96 For First Time In New York - QMSF

NEW YORK (USA): His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis will give their new turbine racer, Al Adaa’am 96, its eagerly awaited racing debut at this weekend’s 23^rd Annual New York Super Boat Grand Prix, round seven of Super Boat International (SBI).

 

The president of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) and his British throttleman gave the stunning new turbine-engined Mystic boat a shakedown on Lake Stanford in Florida last week before the team headed north to prepare for this weekend’s race in New York.

Emirates Team New Zealand gets leg up on ORACLE TEAM USA / America’s Cup

The 34th America’s Cup opened on San Francisco Bay today with close racing, a pair of lead changes in one race and crew work as solid as the redwood trees that are a feature of northern California. At the end of the day, challenger Emirates Team New Zealand returned to its base with a 2-0 lead over defender ORACLE TEAM USA.

Kiwi skipper Dean Barker led his crew to victories of 36 and 52 seconds in winds blowing between 15 and 20 knots. Afterwards, he stressed the evenness of the two AC72s.

“It’s still way too early to draw conclusions, but I think we saw two boats that are incredibly even in performance,” said Barker, the 10-year skipper of his team. “There’s certainly not a lot in either direction in the conditions we saw today. I’m sure we’ll learn more as we get different conditions as the series goes on. But as we expected, there’s not a huge amount between the two yachts.”

Video - Inside the America's Cup: No Second Place - Ep 6

In episode 6, Defending the Cup, the main event looms and we check in with the two combatants - Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA - to see how they are coming together. One team has a massive desire to bring the cup back to New Zealand. The other wants nothing more than to defend the cup and keep it in San Francisco Bay.

Bragging rights are at stake, but the racers will need to keep emotions in check. At the starting line, these boats are going to circle each other and fight for the best jump before screaming in at 40 knots. But, the fastest boat doesn't always win. There has to be controlled aggression, skill, and even a little luck. We wrap it up with analysis from both sides on the biggest threats to a successful defense by ORACLE TEAM USA and what it will take for New Zealand to win - because there is no love lost, and there is No Second Place.

NO SECOND PLACE, a Red Bull Media House six-episode production in conjunction with the America's Cup, offers a fascinating and dramatic perspective at the world of sailing with a behind-the-scenes look at the teams competing at the 34th America´s Cup, September 7-21, 2013 in San Francisco. This documentary-style production goes inside the teams, boat designs, training regimens, rules, the speed of the sport, strategy and teamwork, among other elements.

New Fountain Raceboat To Debut At SBI New York City Event

When the Superboat Vee class gets the green flag on the Hudson River tomorrow for the Super Boat International New York City Grand Prix, the field will include a new Fountain raceboat, Absolutely Not, owned and driven by Mark Gibbons. Powered by a class-specified Mercury Racing 525 EFI, the stepped hull 30-footer is the first raceboat out the Washington, N.C., boat builder since Watch Your Back, another Superboat Vee-class 30-footer built for Michael "Doc" Jansen that once dominated its competition on the offshore racecourse.

Fountain's first new raceboat in several years will compete tomorrow at the SBI New York City Grand Prix. "She came out better than I ever dreamed," said Gibbons, who lives in Long Island, N.Y., in a press release from the company. "We are super-pleased with how she did in the testing. I'm looking forward to racing her in the New York Super Boat Grand Prix—this is our home race."  More; New Fountain Raceboat To Debut At SBI New York City Event

Victory Team claim maiden Speed Cat Run victory in Arona « UIM XCAT World Series Powerboat Racing

The relatively new pairing of Salem Al Adidi and Talib Al Sayed enjoyed the view from the top spot of the podium for the first time ever at the fifth round of the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series today.

The relatively new pairing of Salem Al Adidi and Talib Al Sayed produced a succession of impressive performances to claim the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run. The team defeated the Italian combination of Matteo Nicolini and Tomaso Polli in Six in the first round before getting the better of Consul Brokers in the semifinal.

They were then faced with the daunting task of taking on Series leaders and firm favourites, Fazza in the final. Al Adidi and Al Sayed held their nerve to stave off the toughest of challenges from their teammates to claim their inaugural win.

O’Neill Coldwater Classic Confirmed as ASP North America Specialty Event for 2013 | ASP North America

SANTA CRUZ, California/USA Thursday, September 5, 2013 – ­ For three days in November, Santa Cruz¹s famed Steamer Lane will play host to the 2013 O’Neill Coldwater Classic Invitational with an all-new format. For the past three decades, The Lane has hosted various incarnations of the Coldwater Classic. This Year’s event will be like none before; a men’s specialty event sanctioned by Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America for unsponsored professional surfers, it will boast a unique winner take all grand prize. That grand prize is a yearlong sponsorship from O’Neill Wetsuits and $50,000 in travel incentives and contest fees.

“O’Neill is extremely excited to be supporting athletes who may be considered underdogs. Helping surfers who’ve paid their dues, chase the dream of qualifying is good for our sport,” said O’Neill Wetsuits’ Director of Marketing Brian Kilpatrick.

Wai Kekoa - Water Warrior Beach Festival In 1 Week | SUP Races

CAMP PENDLETON, California - The Wai Kekoa Water Warrior Beach Festival is set for September 14th and Registration Is Now Open! 

The Hard Corps Race Series inaugural water competition event features a surf expression session, stand up paddle races, outrigger canoe and surfski race, open water swim and a 3K beach run. The Water Warrior Beach Festival boasts a "fun zone" with stand-up paddleboards (SUP) available, water slides and other beach activities. Come join the fun if you think you have what it takes!  More; Wai Kekoa - Water Warrior Beach Festival In 1 Week | SUP Races

Volvo Ocean Race | Roaring Forties, chapter 40: Girls are back

The final part of our 40th birthday tour through the Volvo Ocean Race story celebrates the return of the girls, as Team SCA prepare to launch the first all-female campaign in over a decade.

Rick Tomlinson/Team SCA

The next edition of the race will feature an all-female team for the first time since 2001-02. Backed up by the eponymous global hygiene and forest products company, Team SCA have everything in place to compete at the highest level.

“This is the first time in ten years that we have had an all-female team in this race, and it is probably the first time in the race’s history that there has been a team that is being put together in the same way as an all-male team,” commented crewmember Annie Lush.

Video - ORACLE TEAM USA - Battle on the Water

Skipper Jimmy Spithill and grinder Jono Macbeth eye the start of the 34th America's Cup.

 

ORACLE TEAM USA Begins Defense of America’s Cup

Years of preparation culminate tomorrow when ORACLE TEAM USA begins its defense of the 34th America’s Cup. The team will face Emirates Team New Zealand on Saturday, September 7, on San Francisco Bay in the first two races of the Finals. Race 1 begins at 1:15 pm PT, with race 2 following at 2:15 pm PT.

“We’ve got one thing to focus on, and that’s the racing,” said skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill. “To win this trophy, it is one of the hardest things you’ll do in your life. But, it is so rewarding. When you coordinate such a big team together and it all works, it’s hard to put words to it.”

Jobson: On to the 34th America’s Cup Defense / America’s Cup

Wake up sailors!  We are going to see a sailing event that I think will be an unbelievable spectacle. Beginning Saturday, September 7 this battle, between Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA, is going to be emotional, hard-fought, fast and exhausting.

As always with the America’s Cup, the stakes are high. The winner chooses the next venue, boats, format and date. The actual Deed of Gift was envisioned to be a challenger driven event, however the defender ends up making the rules  You can be sure both New Zealand and the USA have future challenges in their hip pocket that will be pulled out just after their boat crosses the finish line when, and if, they win. The future of the 35th America’s Cup is certainly an open question. But, right now, we will see a lot of sailing before anyone can talk about the future.

Quantum Racing look to seal the deal | 52 Super Series

Quantum Racing look to seal the deal, home favourites Azzurra want to finish on a high note.

Home favourites Azzurra will welcome the return of Francesco Bruni to their crew line up as they seek to halt Quantum Racing’s unbroken run of 52 SUPER SERIES trophy regatta wins at the season finale off Porto Cervo, Sardinia, the Audi Settimana delle Bocche (The Week of the Straits).

It will be a big week for the Azzurra team.

The 2012 52 SUPER SERIES champions will be centre stage in the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s celebrations of 30 years since the first Azzurra crew went to compete at the America’s Cup. The crew which is lead by skipper Guillermo Parada (ARG) on the Roemmers family TP52 are keen to finish the 2013 52 SUPER SERIES with a trophy regatta victory.

Fazza back on top in Official Practice at XCAT European Grand Prix « UIM XCAT World Series Powerboat Racing

Current leaders in the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series, Fazza, proved their eyes are firmly set on the top of the podium as the fifth round of action got underway in Arona this morning.

Taking to the water for Official Practice, the duo of Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri recorded the fastest lap of the morning, completing the 3.5 nautical mile lap in 2.29,62.

The Victory Team stable once again produced the top three quickest times, as they aim to reproduce their clean sweep of the podium from Stresa last weekend.