Volvo Ocean Race | Fresh news to delight Dutch fans

There are few places where the love of sailing is greater than in The Netherlands. A 24-hour pit-stop in the iconic Dutch port of The Hague is now bringing the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 boats within touching distance of the fans.

Last month, Dutch fans celebrated the entrance of Team Brunel for the 12th edition starting on October 4 this year. They cheered the follow-up revelation that the professional training company Schouten Global are planning their own Dutch campaign in 2017-18.

Tight Tactical Racing The Name Of The Game In Miami | MOCR

Tight tactical racing was the name of the game on the second day of ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami as light breeze tested the patience and nerves of the 580 sailors from 50 nations.

Sailors and their coaches made the most of morning down time for the second consecutive day, as the breeze refused to cooperate early on Biscayne Bay.

The AP flags began to drop around the five sailing venues in Miami between 14:00 and 15:00 local time. Race Committees prepared to fit in one race each during the afternoon session. The local breeze on the bay hit 4 knots by late afternoon, giving the committee hope that racing was possible.

Whilst the sun was out, the breeze came in slowly allowing one race per fleet apart from the RS:X and Nacra 17 fleets that managed to squeeze in two.

XCAT Racing Coming Stateside / Speed on the Water

In 2014, XCAT catamarans will race in U.S. waters for the first time since the series was started six years ago. Photo courtesy/copyright Emanuele Ferraris di Celle

While the Union Internationale Motonautique/World Professional Powerboat Association 2014 XCAT Series kicked off last weekend in Dubai—with the Dubai-based Victory team taking first, second and third place in the season-opener—the big news coming out the weekend was that XCAT racing is coming to the United States. Known for competitive offshore racing, the twin-outboard-engine canopied catamarans will take to the waters off Daytona Beach, Fla., April 11-13 during the annual Daytona Beach Speed Week.  More; XCAT Racing Coming Stateside

Calema celebrates 30 years in windsurfing with the 2014 Calema Midwinters Festival

 

Just over a month away Calema celebrates 30 years in windsurfing with the 2014 Calema Midwinters Festival at Kelly Park in Merritt Island, Florida.  The 2014 Calema Midwinters Festival to be held February 27th - March 2, 2014 will continue its tradition of bringing together World Cup Pros, One-Design Competitors, Olympic Class Competitors, Beginner sailors and all other levels in between.

The Calema Midwinters Festival will have classes for all skill levels and type of equipment – A Fleet // Sport Fleet // and Youth and Juniors classes to choose from along with Masters. Whether you like racing a formula, KONA, long or short board. 

The event once again promises to be an exciting one as it was last year.  We hope to see you on the water.

 More information; http://calema.com/calema-midwinters-2014/

Perfect Series Start for Fazza in XCAT Opener / UIM XCAT World Series Powerboat Racing

25 January 2014, Dubai – Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi cruised to a comfortable victory in the opening round of the 2014 UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series at DIMC – Mina Seyahi today.

 

The Fazza team were entirely untroubled as they started in pole position and maintained their lead throughout the 15-lap race.

The more intriguing battle was, however, taking place in their wake, as Salem Al Adidi and Talib Al Sayed in Victory Team started in second but were eventually overtaken by the Skydive Dubai duo of Sultan Al Dhaheri and Jay Price.

ETNZ BECOME THIRD AMERICA'S CUP SYNDICATE TO JOIN EXTREME SAILING SERIES — SAIL RACING MAGAZINE

It's no great shock to hear that defeated 34th America's Cup finalists Emirates Team New Zealand have joined fellow prospective America's Cup syndicates JP Morgan BAR and  Groupama Team France in the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series.

Emirates Team New Zealand have today been confirmed as the tenth team on the Extreme Sailing Series™ starting blocks for 2014, with legendary America’s Cup skipper Dean Barker. With a further Series team announcement in the coming weeks, a full grid of 11 teams will embark on the eight stop global tour, which starts in Singapore in just over four weeks, with the first starting gun on the 20th February.

Round Ireland Yacht Race / Irish Sailing Association Website

Wicklow Sailing Club, which organises the Round Ireland Yacht Race, has linked up with the Royal Irish Yacht Club to provide full pre-race management facilities in Dún Laoghaire for the larger yachts which are unable to berth in Wicklow Port. Through the introduction of a fully-equipped shore base in Dún Laoghaire, larger boats can now berth and enjoy full pre-race facilities in advance of the Race departure from Wicklow.  

 

 The Round Ireland Yacht Race is now in its 34th year and is Ireland’s premier offshore sailing race attracting entrants from across Europe and as far afield as Russia, the USA and New Zealand. It will depart Wicklow on Sunday 28th June 2014 at 2.00pm

 

Fazza dominate again, while Dubai Duty Free claim first ever XCAT podium finish / UIM XCAT World Series Powerboat Racing

24 January 2014, Dubai – The Dubai Duty Free team of Pål Virik Nilsen and Tom Barry Cotter ventured onto the XCAT podium for the first time at the opening round of the 2014 UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series this afternoon.

 

That’s after the Norwegian-Australian combination, who joined the Series in August last year, claimed third spot in the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run.

It was once again Fazza (Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi) who showed their speed and class in taking top honours, beating Skydive Dubai’s Sultan Al Dhaheri and Jay Price in the final. They had already dispatched of Spirit of Dubai, Victory Team and the new addition to the Series, Yachts, in the earlier rounds.

Skydive Dubai had booked their spot in the final by defeating Team Gibraltar, Qatar Team and eventually Dubai Duty Free.

Quantum Racing triumphant at the US 52 SUPER SERIES in Key West | 52 Super Series

Winning five races from ten for the 52 SUPER SERIES at Quantum Key West Doug DeVos and the Quantum Racing team secured the first title of the new 2014 season.

Starting Friday’s one final race of the series the 2013 season champions needed only a solid top four finish to win overall. 



A steady third behind Azzurra and Rán Racing in the muscular 19-24kts NE’ly
breeze and bouncy, short seas, ensured DeVos’ crew lift the Key West title by
three points ahead of Niklas Zennström’s Rán Racing team.

Grant 'Twiggy' Baker wins Mavericks Invitational big-wave surfing contest | GrindTV.com

Grant “Twiggy” Baker in action during Mavericks Invitational; photo by Grant Ellis/Surfer magazine

 

For 24 of the world’s premier big-wave surfers, Friday was tumultuous and at times harrowing, but a day they would not have traded for anything.

The waves were massive, the drops almost sheer, the wipeouts brutal, and in the end Grant “Twiggy” Baker stood alone as champion of the Body Glove Mavericks Invitational at notorious Mavericks outside of Half Moon Bay, California.

More; Grant 'Twiggy' Baker wins Mavericks Invitational big-wave surfing contest | GrindTV.com

Quantum Racing on the threshold of 2014’s first title

Quantum Racing, with team owner Doug DeVos on the helm, now need only a solid final race in the US 52 SUPER SERIES at Quantum Key West to clinch the first major regatta title of the 2014 season. 




While Quantum Racing composed a strong penultimate day of the five day series, posting a 1,2,1 from the three races sailed in fantastic conditions, their main title rivals Rán Racing and Azzurra had some difficult moments, not least when they both were over the start line early in the last contest. Quantum Racing streaked away to a big early lead whilst their challengers lost a lot of time re-starting. And an incident at the first mark of the second race, when they were first and second certainly unsettled the Italian flagged team who gybed away to the left, into very light winds which dropped them to a costly sixth place.

It's On - Body Glove Mavericks Invitational

The Call is made for Friday, January 24!

Contest organizers for The Body Glove Mavericks Invitational Presented By GoPro®, have confirmed that the world’s premier big wave surf contest will take place this Friday, January 24, 2014 in Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay.

With a massive swell forecast for upwards of 40 feet, the world’s best big-wave surfers will be putting on a death-defying show for the live stream and those in attendance this Friday, January 24th at 8 am Pacific time.

“Changes in the offshore weather prompted a postponement until today for the official announcement,” said contest director Jeff Clark. “There was concern for a south wind and giant swell, which could have posed danger not only for competitors but for all boats out in the water.

Finding new ways to let fans experience the action, Mavericks Invitational organizers are also expanding the Mavericks Viewing Festival. The festival will be held on Friday, with gates opening at 7:30 a.m., on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa in Princeton Harbor, just down the road from Mavericks.

For public safety and environment protection, local authorities will close off all roads to Pillar Point, including access to the beach and bluffs. The festival gives fans a place to gather on the coast and watch the action on jumbo HD screens, enjoy music, food and entertainment, and get exclusive commentary and access to the Awards Ceremony.  Event parking is located at the Half Moon Bay Airport, within walking distance of the Festival.  Proceeds from the parking benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside.

For the first time ever, the event finals will air live on national television through Universal Sports Network. Television coverage begins at 1:30 pm PST. Universal Sports Network is available on the sports tiers of Time Warner Cable, Cox, Verizon FiOS, satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH and numerous regional cable and IPTV operators in markets across the country. Additionally, Mavericks Invitational will be available to all Venison Foist (Ch. 596) and DIRECTV (Ch. 625) customers during this month’s free preview windows.

In addition to broadcast coverage, the entire contest will stream live on universalsports.com and mavericksinvitational.com.

Rán Racing’s consistency is the key as world champions take overall lead | 52 Super Series

A long, three race day on the water for the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet at Quantum Key West, sees a new regatta leader in Niklas Zennström’s Rán Racing. The world champions sailed a consistent day, improving on a fourth in the first race to post a first and a second, earning themselves a slender lead of a single point overall ahead of Azzurra which also composed a seven points aggregate today in the excellent 12-16kts NNW’ly breezes. 



On the regatta rankings both Rán Racing and Azzurra vault ahead of Quantum Racing whose unbeaten record was halted when they hooked a lobster pot in the first race. The back down required to free themselves forced them back to a sixth place finish. They seemed unable to reach the same levels as the first two days of racing as they went on to a third and fourth.

But, just as the racing was often very tight with many place changes in the heat of battle in the shifting breezes which really kept the afterguards on their toes, so also the regatta standings after six races are very tight, only two points separating Doug DeVos’ Quantum Racing team in third from leaders Rán
Racing.

Quantum Racing make it three from three | 52 Super Series

From a race sailed in unusually wet and squally conditions, somewhat atypical of the annual regatta’s reputation for regular breezes and sunshine, the Quantum Racing team managed to keep their unbeaten record intact to increase their overall lead at the top of the US 52 SUPER SERIES at Quantum Key West. 



The five leg windward-leeward contest was peppered with big shifts in the wind
direction which skewed the course at times to render it more of a drag race.
But while it may in the end have required little in the way of tactical
thinking, success came for those who kept their heads, made fewest mistakes –
or at lease dealt with them best – during a dramatic and exciting sprint.

Quantum Racing extended their lead overall regatta lead ahead of Rán Racing
which finished third in this one and only race of the day, whilst the 2013
regatta winners Azzurra had a much better race, finishing second.

OFFICIAL “NO GO” ISSUED FOR QUIKSILVER IN MEMORY OF EDDIE AIKAU

Waimea Bay, Oahu, HAWAII - (Monday, January 20, 2014) -- Organizers of the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave invitational at Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, have officially announced that the event is a “NO GO” for this Wednesday, January 22.

 

"We have taken all the time we can to assess the developments of the next big swell and it does not look favorable for us," said event organizer Glen Moncata. “The size is there, but the quality is not, due to strong, adverse winds. We will continue to wait for the right conditions,”

 

The event has until February 28, 2014 to run, requiring just one day of quality surf with waves face heights of around 40 feet (20-foot open ocean swell). With a very active winter of big waves in play, the waiting game continues.

 

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau was last held on December 8, 2009 – won by California's Greg Long, and has only been held a total of eight times in its 29-year history, adding to the event's mystique and prestige. 

Perfect light winds opening for Quantum Racing in Key West | 52 Super Series

Quantum Racing steered by team owner Doug DeVos won both of the 2014 season’s first races for the US 52 SUPER SERIES at Quantum Key West regatta making the best of the very light  and difficult racing conditions, narrowly holding off the current world champions Rán Racing at each of the finishes. 



Quantum Racing came from behind to win a long, slow first race, easing past long time leaders Rán Racing in the final minutes of the last run. Niklas Zennström’s crew slowed when they lead into lighter airs and DeVos’ team proved able to squeeze through inside them to score a well earned first gun.

In the second contest it looked as if Quantum Racing had given up most of a 100 metres lead when they were forced to gybe away from the bad air of two maxi yachts, dropping into a nasty hole in the wind. They were only just able to stay in front of Rán Racing at the finish.

ORGANIZERS MONITOR WEDNESDAY SWELL FOR QUIKSILVER IN MEMORY OF EDDIE AIKAU

Above: The past week has seen Waimea Bay break on several occasions, with plenty of swell hitting Oahu's North Shore. Yesterday surfers enjoyed a 15-foot warmup session at the Bay with beautiful conditions. Photo: Quiksilver/Bielmann.

Waimea Bay, Oahu, HAWAII - (Monday, January 20, 2014) -- Organizers of the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave invitational at Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, will continue to monitor a giant swell forecast for this Wednesday, January 22, but only give the one-day competition a 50 percent chance of running at this stage. A final decision will be made by 5pm Hawaii time today.

 

"The size will definitely be there - approximately 40-foot wave face heights - but strong, adverse winds out of the WSW are a major limiting factor," said event organizer Glen Moncata, citing recently issued weather and ocean reports.

"Unfortunately it doesn't look like the size will hold into Thursday when winds are expected to be more favorable, but we will continue to monitor the system's development throughout today before making the final call this afternoon."

With a roster of invitees from international locations as far afield as Chile, South Africa, Australia and Europe, this afternoon's call will be the final determination for this week's big wave episode.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a one-day big wave event requiring waves face heights of around 40 feet (20-foot open ocean swell). The event was last held on December 8, 2009, when it was won by California's Greg Long, and has only been held a total of eight times in its 29-year history, adding to the event's mystique and prestige. It has until February 28, 2014, to run this winter if and when the combination of required wave face heights and rideable conditions arise.

Volvo Ocean Race | Why Arrarte and Dolmer just cannot say no to Bekking's call

Pablo Arrarte and Jens Dolmer are joining Team Brunel for the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. Both the Spanish and the Danish sailors have done the race before – and Arrarte has already sailed round the globe with Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking. Why are they coming back to the toughest ocean race in the world?  More; Volvo Ocean Race | Why Arrarte and Dolmer just cannot say no to Bekking's call

Pressure Builds Ahead Of ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami | MOCR

Australia’s Mat Belcher and Will Ryan will look to extend their unbeaten streak in the Men’s 470 when racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami commences on Monday, January 27, 2014. Running through to February 1 over 550 sailors from 50 nations will race at the third of five 2013-2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas in Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida.

Belcher, the 2013 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, made it 18 consecutive wins in a row when he took gold at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne and it was his tenth in a row with Ryan.

Belcher’s run stems from November 2011 and as the victories have continued to flow the Australian has coped well with the weight of expectation, “The pressure has been difficult at times with it accumulating over the years,” said Belcher. “But we are in the business of sport. Our job is to perform under pressure. It is something you just have to manage.”

The pressure will be back on Belcher and Ryan in Miami with a highly competitive and experienced 31-boat fleet.

Opportunities for all as the US 52 SUPER SERIES kicks off at Quantum Key West | 52 Super Series

Unstable, unsettled breezes have marked the final days of practice for the US 52 SUPER SERIES fleet on the azure blue water of Key West. Finding a pattern to the changes in wind pressure and direction has been equally difficult for the six TP52 teams whether they are the reigning champions or the newcomers to the circuit.

With a continued series of small low pressure systems set to roll across the south of the country, the first few days the first 52 SUPER SERIES regatta of the season, Quantum Key West, are likely to see more of the same: winds which are hard to decipher, challenging to predict and varying in strength and direction over each race day.

18th Annual Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge

Hanohano Outrigger Canoe Club, Huki Outrigger, Maui Jim and Ocean Minded would like to invite you to the 18th Annual Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge to be held in Mission Bay, San Diego, Ca. on January 25th, 2014.

The Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge is one of the Longest Running Paddlesport Races in California (OC-1, Surfski, Traditional Paddleboard, Standup Paddleboard and Kayak)  We’ve always had a great mix of top level professional athletes and beginners from ages 7-80.  I’d like to encourage you to visit our Web site for more details: www.hanohano.com/ocean-challenge

Sunset Pro to Kick Off 2014 World Tour in February | SUP Magazine

The Sunset Beach Pro celebrates its fifth anniversary

The Sunset Beach Pro will set a new standard for the World Tour and the sport as a whole in 2014, as it celebrates its fifth anniversary as the prestigious World Championship Tour Opener. With a packed field of the very best international athletes coming up against a wealth of local talent throughout the islands, the first showdown of the year will once again set the standard for high-performance standup paddlesurfing at its very best.

 While Tour standouts such as three-time World Champion and two-time event winner Kai Lenny, Caio Vaz, 2012 World Champion Leco Salazar and Sean Poynter will be on a mission to start the year out on a high, local favorites such as Robin Johnston (who finished second last year at Sunset and has been Top 5 since the Tour’s inception), Ikaika Kalama, Kala Alexander, and Aaron Napoleon will be looking to stand strong at home on Oahu’s fabled North Shore.

Read more; Sunset Pro to Kick Off 2014 World Tour in February | SUP Magazine

Volvo Ocean Race | Sweating it out: How our teams are gearing up for Race time

How many boats have been built? We've officially announced four teams so far - what are they up to? How are we all getting ready to make the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 the best race yet? All the answers – and more – in this state of play.

The Volvo Ocean 65s
The first one-design has been handed over to Dongfeng Race Team and hit the water on December 2. Built by a consortium of European boatyards and assembled by Green Marine in the UK, the Chinese boat is now onboard the Marit Maersk container ship on its way to China. You can even login to www.marinetraffic.com and check that all is well with the red Volvo Ocean 65.

Boat number two has been in the water since September 23 and is sailing hard with Team SCA in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

The third one goes to Team Brunel. It is painted and will hit the water by the end of the next week.

Boat number four is ready and waiting to be painted.

The fifth Volvo Ocean 65 was handed over to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing on Wednesday after being weighed. It has just been moved to the paint shed and will soon be sailing too.

Boat number six is moving to the fit-out stage this Friday at Green Marine and the hull of the seventh boat is leaving Persico in Italy next week.

MOCR | ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami – Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2014

We are just over a week away from the start of US Sailing’s premier racing event. Racing at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami will take place on January 27 through February 1 on Biscayne Bay. This world class regatta is the only North American regatta to be included in the International Sailing Federation’s (ISAF) 2013-14 Sailing World Cup series.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - First Entry in the Non-Stop 1802nm Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014

Online entry for The Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2014 season is now open and Ian Walker's Volvo Ocean 65 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing was quick off the mark to confirm its participation with Azzam (Determination) in the RORC's toughest race of the year - The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Volvo 70 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Photo: Volvo/Ian Roman

 

The 1802nm course, starting on Sunday 10^th August, is the ultimate test of endurance for sailors and has been supported by leading Dutch specialist yacht transport company Sevenstar since 2006. Starting and finishing in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the race takes competitors non-stop around the breathtaking coastline of Britain and Ireland. Memorable landmarks include the most northerly lighthouse - Muckle Flugga, a small rocky island north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

Qatar Marine Sports Federation Signs Agreement With American Cigarette Racing To Build Vip Boat

DOHA (Qatar): Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani confirmed in Doha today that the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) has signed an agreement with Florida-based Cigarette Racing to build a VIP boat to support the Spirit of Qatar Team’s 2014 American racing programme.

The Key to 2014 Success | 52 Super Series

The curtain will rise on what promises to be an exciting 2014 52 SUPER SERIES season on Monday 20^th January when six 52s lines up on the famous race waters of Key West, Florida for the first regatta of the two events which form the US 52 SUPER SERIES.

 

Two European TP52s return to Quantum Key West Racing Week, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda flagged Azzurra and Niklas and Catherine Zennström’s world champions, Rán Racing.

The 2012 overall 52 SUPER SERIES champions Azzurra which narrowly won Key West least season see the return of talismanic Italian strategist Francesco Bruni.  Rán Racing will sail with past 470 world champion Nic Asher as strategist and have Steve Hayles – who took a sabbatical from the Rán 52 programme last year – back in the navigator’s hot seat.

Werneth Promotes Saving Lives With 'Rapid Diver' System

BREVARD COUNTY• COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA — There is a silent killer in Florida that continues to claim victims. Brevard County, like many areas around America, does not have the best technology available to address this killer and is often unprepared to deal with it.  

On average one person dies every week from a sinking vehicle in Florida.  Read more; Werneth Promotes Saving Lives With 'Rapid Diver' System |

Hercules Swell in Europe Unleashes Entries for 2014 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - (January 8, 2014) - One of the most famous storms in modern history has impacted Europe with massive waves, creating spectacular still and video images in the process. Much of the continent experienced out-of-control conditions, causing coastal damage and wreaking havoc from Gibraltar to Scotland, but a few surfers did capitalize on the opportunity to ride the waves the historic swell provided.

 The Facebook page for the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards served as a kind of real-time diary for the waves produced by Hercules over the last few days, starting with analysis of the storm forecast and observations of record-level winds and seas, to a gallery of the first maniacal waves crashing to shore, and finally to the best moments of actual surfing on top of the might of Hercules. The best of those action images are now entries in the 2014 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards presented by Pacifico which acknowledge the greatest rides from around the world throughout the year - as long as they were captured on camera.

The first image to be sent in to the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards of the Hercules swell as it hit the Azores islands out in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. photo: Antonio Araujo.

Huge Winter Storm Expected to Produce More XXL Waves for Europe

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - (January 3, 2014) - An extraordinary winter of massive waves in the North Atlantic may get even more extreme as the huge storm that blasted the Midwest and Northeast heads toward Europe over the weekend.

Dubbed "Winter Storm Hercules" by the media, the intense low-pressure system that dumped up to two feet of snow across New England and caused thousands of flight cancellations nationwide is forecast to continue its fury as it moves out to sea, generating swells in excess of 50 feet as it lashes toward Ireland.

"Since Portugal was hit with giant waves from the 'St. Jude's Storm' in the last week of October, the Atlantic Ocean has experienced what I would consider the most consistent string of radical storms seen in the modern era of big wave surfing," said Bill Sharp, Event Director of the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards presented by Pacifico. "Especially in the last month, it's been one huge swell after another and the parade of big wave images we have seen coming in from Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France is just unprecedented. And now, what may be the biggest swell of all is brewing out there. It's an exciting time for anyone who follows big wave surfing."

Europe has already experienced a string of massive swells in recent weeks, with some of the biggest waves arriving at Belharra Reef, France. Benjamin Sanchis in action. photo: Bastien Bonnarme.