The World Paddle Association announces the Salt Life Cup 2014

 

Salt Life Apparel, in association with the World Paddle Association, proudly announces the formation of the Salt Life Cup 2014. The Salt Life Cup is a season-long accumulation of points earned at all WPA National races beginning with the Carolina Cup WPA National race on April 26 and culminating at the WPA Championships on October 25 where the top Elite Men's and Women's points leaders will receive bonus money and be crowned Salt Life Cup National race Champions.

 

Each of the WPA National races will award double points to the Elite competitors and quadruple points at the WPA Championship. Elite competitors must compete at the WPA Championships on October 25 to qualify for the Salt Life Cup bonus money that is in addition to the prize money offered at the WPA Championships. The Salt Life Cup bonus money will be awarded as follows to top point earners:

Men- $5,000

Women- $3,000

In addition to the bonus money for the top points leaders, Salt Life will award a $500 gift card to the top placing Open race competitors in the Men's 12'6, and 14' overall; and the Women's 12'6 overall winner.

WPA partner PaddleGuru will be managing the points throughout the year along providing points for rankings to all WPA competitors at all WPA only sanctioned races along with the Salt Life Cup. All competitors will need to be current WPA members by July 1, 2014 to have points earned retro-active from races prior toJuly 1, 2014. Anyone that has not joined or renewed their membership by July 1, 2014 will not receive any points earned prior to July 1, 2014.

2014 Salt Life Cup bonus points races (subject to change)

Click here to view the Salt Life Cup race schedule 

ISAF | World Sailing | Medals Decided On Final Day Of ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca

Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) celebrate their hard work

©Martinez Studio

The medals across ten Olympic events were decided on the final day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca - Trofeo Princesa Sofia.

A light morning northerly breeze picked up as the day went on ensuring a full complement of Medal Races across the ten Olympic events were completed.

Men's 470

The Men's 470 lead went to and fro all week but Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) held their nerve to add a gold medal to their two silvers from the 2013-2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.

Fantela and Marenic played second fiddle to Lucas Calabrese and Juan de la Fuente (ARG) at ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao and to Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. A disappointing fourth at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami followed before they took their first gold of the series in Mallorca.

Holding a seven point lead going into the Medal Race the Croatians had breathing space as a sixth place sealed the deal. On their victory Fantela said, "In two words, really happy. We worked quite hard this winter, we've been to all of the World Cups and we really like that we won. For us this is the hardest race since we started and winning this means a lot to us."

Fantela added, "Winning here is really special. All week we sailed really good and to end the regatta with such an interesting Medal Race was really fun and we are really happy with our performance."

An OCS for Lucas Calabrese and Juan de la Fuente saw the Argentineans drop out of the top three. Sweden's Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Bergstrom were the benefactors of the Argentineans demise and having won the Medal Race they slipped into second.

ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) finished fifth in the Medal Race and whilst they end tied on 72 points with the Swedes they take bronze by nature of count back.

Familiar Faces To Resume Sailing World Cup Battles In Mallorca / ISAF / World Sailing

Davidovich fighs hard at Sailing World Cup Qingdao ©ISAF

Over 850 sailors will be ready to fight hard for 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca honours when racing commences on 31 March through to 5 April.

Fifty nations will be represented across one Paralympic and ten Olympic events at the fourth of five World Cup Regattas of the 2013-2014 series.

Numerous medallists and competitors will resume the battles that started at Qingdao, China in October 2013 progressed through to Melbourne, Australia in December 2013 and heated up in the Miami, USA just weeks ago.

As preparations for the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships step up, sailors will be using Mallorca and the final regatta of the World Cup series in Hyeres, France to hone in on their fitness and skills.

Venture Cup Seeking Entries / Speed on the Water

With a confirmed field of 22 offshore V-bottom raceboats, the multi-leg Venture Cup offshore endurance race, which will run June 7-14 with a starting point in London, England, and an endpoint of Monte Carlo, Monaco, is still looking for more competitors. According to Richard Carlton, the director of the 2,400-mile event who also will be a competitor once it kicks off, the organizers have been working with Peters & May to make round-trip trans-Atlantic raceboat shipping relative affordable for teams in the United States.  More; Venture Cup Seeking Entries

Reynolds and Liljedahl Return to Form at the Fifth BACARDI® Miami Sailing Week

MIAMI, FLA. (March 3, 2014) – The opening race of the 87th BACARDI Cup was sailed today on Biscayne Bay after several postponements due to light air, and in this highly competitive and aggressive fleet of 54 boats it was no surprise when seven teams were disqualified under the black flag rule. 

Today’s winners - Mark Reynolds and Magnus Liljedahl (Photo Credit BMSW/Cory Silken)

The wake-up call may be for anyone who did not anticipate San Diego’s Mark Reynolds and local sailor Magnus Liljedahl to return to their old ways.  The duo, who shared both Olympic Gold and a Star World Championship win in 2000, had not sailed together in 10 years.  Already the skipper and crew with the most Bacardi Cup wins to their credit (seven for Reynolds and five for Liljedahl; which include three they won together in 2002, 1998 and 1997), the win of the day’s lone race would seem to indicate they are on their way to setting another Bacardi Cup record.

Team Aqua Snatch Victory In Virgin Gorda / RC Forty Four

Peninsula Petroleum had led the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup since day one, for the final day all they needed to do was stick with the same format; consistency and staying out of trouble. But the day didn’t go to plan for the Gibraltar based team, allowing Chris Bake’s Team Aqua to snatch victory on the final race of the event.

 

Racing was again inside Virgin Gorda's North Sound. As the fleet got underway Peninsula Petroleum were given a red flag penalty off the startline of the day’s opening race, putting them to the back of the fleet. Vasco Vascotto calling the shots for John Bassadone got the team back in touch with the fleet by the second beat. But a port-starboard incident with Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge, saw the Russian team head back into the dock with a gaping hole in the side of their RC44 and retire from racing.

Selection Events Released for 2015 US Pan American Games Team

Portsmouth, R.I. ( February 14, 2014)  - The US Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) has released the list of selection events for the 2015 United States Pan American Games Team, which will compete at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. 

Pending approval by the US Olympic Committee (USOC), the top eligible team at the following events will qualify for the Pan American Games if the US has qualified as a country in the class.    

• RS:X Men: 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami (January 24-31, 2015)
• RS:X Women: 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami  (January 24-31, 2015)
• Sunfish: 2015 Sunfish Mid-Winters (Melbourne, Fla., March 20-22, 2015)
• Laser: 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami  (January 24-31, 2015)
• Laser Radial: 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami  (January 24-31, 2015)
• Hobie 16: 2014 North Americans (Lewes, Del., September 22-26, 2014)
• Lightning: 2015 Winter Championships (St. Petersburg, Fla., March 12-15, 2015)
• Snipe: Pan American Games Trials (San Diego, Calif., October 11-13, 2014)
• 49er FX: 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami  (January 24-31, 2015)
• J24: Pan American Games Trials (Marion, Mass. August 15-17, 2014)*

*If the United States does not qualify for a J24 berth at the 2014 J24 North American Championships, then the Trials will be held in Tampa, FL February 27-March 1, 2015.

Updates will be posted here:   http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/Games/PAG.htm 

Getting to the end game - RC Forty Four

The penultimate day of racing at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup didn’t see a change at the top of the overall leaderboard, Team Aqua were the most consistent performer of the day, moving them up from fourth to second, putting them in touch with leaders Peninsula Petroleum. Four races produced four different winners, in what was another stunning day of Caribbean racing for the RC44 fleet.

Racing got underway to the south of Neckar Island in 14 knots. Katusha emerged as the leader at the windward mark, an early gybe by Synergy down the first run paid, giving Valentin Zavadnikov’s Russian team the lead. A double tack by Synergy to make the top mark put Katusha back at the top, only for Synergy’s tactician Ed Baird to again call for the early gybe - a move that gave Synergy the first win of the day.

Bouvet and Mion End Belcher Win Streak | MOCR

MIAMI, Fla. (February 1, 2014) – The Miami weather saved the best for last on a special Medal Race Saturday edition of the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami. Medals were decided in 10 Olympic events on Biscayne Bay under sunny skies and enough wind for good racing. This year’s regatta offered a little bit of everything, including success from former champions, major upsets, and a glimpse into the future of Olympic level one-design sailing.

Uncooperative wind this week limited the number of series races for most of the events. This created even more significance for the medal round race(s), as many sailors and their crews were in contention Saturday. The Medal Race series included the top ten ranked sailors in each fleet competing in one race with double points applied. The 49er and 49erFX conduct a series of three short races worth single points each.  Read More; Bouvet and Mion End Belcher Win Streak | MOCR

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.

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.

Crown Prince puts royal seal on Cold Hawaii World Cup

The world’s best wave windsurfers are gearing up for the 2013 KIA Cold Hawaii PWA World Cup in Klitmøller, Denmark, from September 16-22 and the spotlight will be even brighter with HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attending as the new patron of the event. The Crown Prince, a former Danish Navy Seal, accomplished sailor and iron man triathlete, will try his hand at windsurfing on Sunday, September 15, before the pros take over.

The new format of a 32-man field will be as strong as ever with 2012 champion, Thomas Traversa, from France, defending his title. The man he beat in the final, Philip Köster, windsurfing’s wunderkind, will start as favourite though, especially if the wind is up. Köster, the 19-year-old double world champion, started the defence of his crown by winning in Tenerife in August. He showed his all-round skills in beating arch-rival Viktor Fernandez Lopez, the 2010 world champion, in the final with an astonishing stalled double forward and super smooth taka. With the first round in July lost in an unusually windless and waveless Pozo, Gran Canaria, the heat is on in Cold Hawaii to make every move count.

Emirates Team New Zealand eyes ‘September Showdown’ as Luna Rossa bows out / America’s Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand and Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge are familiar foes in the America’s Cup arena.

The two teams were finalists in the previous Louis Vuitton Cup in 2007 and also squared off for the 30th America’s Cup Match in 2000. Each time the Kiwis came out on top, as they did again today when they won the 30th anniversary Louis Vuitton Cup 7-1.

“I’d like to acknowledge Luna Rossa,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “We’ve had an amazing relationship with those guys over the last year and a half. Without them we wouldn’t be here. They’ve improved dramatically and have pushed us to keep improving.”

Sunday preview: Luna Rossa’s last stand / America’s Cup

Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge has a long, proud history in the America’s Cup arena, but skipper Max Sirena’s crew needs to win both of today’s scheduled races if they want to compete another day in the 30th anniversary Louis Vuitton Cup.

Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 6-1 and needs just one more victory to wrap it up. The Luna Rossa crew has improved measurably since the start of racing last month, but unfortunately for them so has the Kiwi crew.

“We’re racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. That’s everything we dreamed to achieve,” said Luna Rossa helmsman Chris Draper. “I sail with 10 great guys every day, and these boats are insane to sail. So no, it’s not hard to get up in the morning.

“We all want to be winning; we wouldn’t be racing these boats if we didn’t come from a background of winning. It’s hard, but we’ll keep pushing to last minute and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved,” Draper said.

Race 8 is scheduled to start at 1310 and Race 9, if necessary, at 1410. The forecast is predicting lighter breezes than yesterday, when the day’s second race was postponed because of winds in excess of the 22.2-knot limit.

In the U.S. the racing will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network on tape delay at 1900 ET/1600 PT. Internationally it will be shown on the America’s Cup YouTube channel beginning at 1300 PT, subject to territorial restrictions. You can also follow the action on the official America’s Cup app or Virtual Eye.

ISAF | World Sailing | Super Sonic Slalom Returns As The Elite Of The Racing World Head To Alcati

PWA Slalom Men & Women World Cup - Alacati, Turkey

From 19-24 August both the men's and women's slalom fleets shall be returning to action for more warp speed racing as they head to the stunning turquoise waters of Alacati, Turkey. The men will be recommencing battle for the first time since competing in Costa Brava - in June - whilst the women will be fighting it out for the final time this season.

 

Alacati is located on the Cesme peninsula, just a thirty minute drive from the bustling city of Izmir. Primarily known for its stunning natural stone villas, chic boutiques and its traditional cafes and fantastic restaurants, Alacati has started to experience a change in cliental, in recent years, as thousands of windsurfers, from all around the globe, flock to the stunning shores of Alacati to take advantage of the beautiful turquoise waters and clockwork like Meltemi winds, which blow consistently between the months of May to October. Combine this with the gorgeous local scenery and cosmopolitan vibe and you can quickly understand why Alacati is continuing to enhance its reputation as a windsurfing Mecca. More; News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Super Sonic Slalom Returns As The Elite Of The Racing World Head To Alcati

Hamburg to go live this weekend and Chicago to set new standards at Stand Up Paddle Surfing in Hawaii – StandUpPaddleSurf.net

Make sure to tune in live and for daily highlights this weekend to www.watermanleague.com for the Camp David World Cup of Stand Up Paddling, Stop 5 on the 2013 Stand Up World Series. Watch as Kai Lenny (Naish) and Annabel Anderson (Starboard) headline an all star line up for this final stop on the European Trilogy of events in Hamburg, Germany.

 The action will start this Saturday morning at 10am Central European time with the World Series Sprint Racing for women. Make sure to catch the Morning Show live from Hamburg on Friday afternoon, as we present the event, meet the athletes and get a glimpse of World Class Stand Up paddling in the City.  More; Hamburg to go live this weekend and Chicago to set new standards at Stand Up Paddle Surfing in Hawaii – StandUpPaddleSurf.net

Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa ready for 30th anniversary Louis Vuitton Cup Final / America’s Cup

The 30th anniversary Louis Vuitton Cup Final begins Saturday with Emirates Team New Zealand taking on Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge. The two teams also met in the previous Louis Vuitton Cup Final, in Valencia, Spain, in 2007, and Emirates Team New Zealand came out on top.

The two finalists know each other well beyond the racecourse. Luna Rossa purchased a first-generation design package from Emirates Team New Zealand to jump start its program after entering the 2013 America’s Cup late. Then the teams spent time testing and trialing in New Zealand.

“Our boat is a first generation and the boats aesthetically look similar, but there are quite a few differences,” said Luna Rossa helmsman Chris Draper. “If we had the opportunity to redesign things then there are things we would’ve designed differently, which I imagine are the things they’ve done differently with their second boat. At the same time, there’s not another design package we would’ve chosen to share.”

ISAF | World Sailing | Big Winds And Powerful Waves Provide A Pulsating Finale

With just the top five sailors in both the men's and women's fleets remaining, the fifth day of the PWA Tenerife World Cup saw a scintillating conclusion of the double eliminations.

Winner Philip Köster ©Carter / pwaworldtour.com

 

The event came to a fitting end as a big, powerful south swell and winds of 25-35 knots graced El Medano, which resulted in some of the best jumping and wave riding of the entire competition. In the end Philip Köster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) successfully defended his single elimination victory after a big battle against Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / North / MFC), whilst Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) dug deep to claim her first event victory since July 2011, by defeating her sister Iballa Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) in the super final. More; News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Big Winds And Powerful Waves Provide A Pulsating Finale

ISAF | World Sailing | An Epic Day As Howling Winds And Big Waves Hit Shores Of EI Medano

The fourth day of the PWA Tenerife World Cup saw the best conditions of the week thus far as winds of 35-42 and big waves bombarded the shores of El Medano.

Jamaer tweaked out push loop ©Carter / pwaworldtour.com

 

 The action, which followed for the entirety of the day, was nothing short of epic, as the most radical sailors in the world launched themselves into the biggest gravity defying stunts on the planet. After an enthralling eight hours of competition we are now down to the final five sailors in both the men's and women's double eliminations, which will be concluded Wednesday.   More; News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : An Epic Day As Howling Winds And Big Waves Hit Shores Of EI Medano

ISAF | World Sailing | Tenerife Goes Off As Philip Koster And Daida Ruano Moreno Come Out On Top

The third day of the PWA Tenerife World Cup saw the much anticipated conclusion of the single elimination's. With winds gusting to 40 knots and some of the best waves of the contest so far.

 

The elite of the wave sailing world put on an amazing display, which eventually saw Philip Köster (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) and Daida Ruano Moreno (Starboard / Severne) claim the opening victories of the week. News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Tenerife Goes Off As Philip Koster And Daida Ruano Moreno Come Out On Top