On Saturday 14 May, sailing yacht Groupama 4, the first Volvo 70 built in France, was launched at 1400 GMT, opposite Groupama Sailing Team’s base in Lorient. Groupama’s representatives, the sailors, the members of the shore team and an enthusiastic crowd attended this important stage of the project led by skipper Franck Cammas.
With San Francisco receiving extra attention from sailing fans courtesy of the America’s Cup, it comes as no surprise that the Bay will be bustling with additional activity this fall when the 2011 Rolex Big Boat Series gets underway. Scheduled for September 8-11 and hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, the event is in its 47th year and shows no signs of slowing down.
The second edition of the Nespresso Cup came to a conclusion in Portofino with Andrea Recordati’s sailing yacht INDIO delivering a near emphatic victory in the Overall Division to lift the stylish Nespresso Cup Trophy, whilst Philippe Ligier’s Wally yacht Ryokan 2 snatched victory from S/Y INTI in the Performance Division in the very final race.
The battle lines have been drawn for the final day of racing for the Nespresso Cup tomorrow after today’s penultimate day produced only one race in the light conditions of Portofino. Andrea Recordati’s sailing yacht INDIO scored another victory to claim three wins from the three races so far in the Overall Division, and strengthen their position at the top of the Nespresso Cup overall leaderboard ahead of Y3K and S/Y Magic Carpet2.
The opening day of the Nespresso Cup in Portofino, produced some close racing and magnificent battles in both divisions. “Racing today was good weather-wise,” said Nespresso Cup Race Ambassador Francesco de Angelis. “Sunny with a good breeze and we saw an interesting second race because there were some wind shifts which made it a bit more difficult.” In the Overall Division it was Indio (30.50m) that came out on top, winning both races despite the best efforts of Magic Carpet2 and Y3K to break their winning form
Fipa Group introduces their latest Maiora 27 motoryacht series, measuring 26.55 in LOA with a fibreglass hull and superstructure. This stylish new yacht has a four cabin layout and is powered by twin MTU 16V 2000 M94 engines, reaching a maximum speed of 28 knots.
For U.S. sailors in northern latitudes, the yacht club commissioning ceremonies taking place over the next few weekends are just the latest signal that the 2011 sailing season is about to kick into high gear. And while it may be too early to place odds on which outstanding male and female sailor will ultimately be recognized as US SAILING’s 2011 Rolex Yachtsman or Yachtswoman of the Year, it has been announced that 32nd presentation of the awards will take place at St. Francis Yacht Club (San Francisco, Calif.) in February, 2012.
The Wally contenders for the 2011 Nespresso Cup have arrived in the exquisite Italian harbour of Portofino as preparations get underway to contest for ‘The Ultimate Cup’. The Wally crews have been out training today ahead of the official racing that starts tomorrow. “Our hopes are, of course, to win but we are not the only ones who are hoping,” said Claus-Peter Offen, owner of Y3K who finished 2nd overall last year. “There are a few boats who have the same hopes! The level of the boats and the crews is very high and very competitive and it’s going to be an exciting weekend.”
The crew of Club Swan 42 sailing yacht Arethusa came away from the 2011 Antigua Sailing Week as the champions of the Swan Caribbean Challenge following their impressive win in Class 3. The Club Swan 42 was entered by Phillip Lotz, of the USA and also gained the title of Best American Yacht. Yacht Arethusa won the class by a fair margin; the Club Swan 42 registered three race wins across the five days of racing and not once faltered out of the top three.
Riviera is now putting the finishing touches on its newest model, the 53 Enclosed Flybridge motor yacht, as it nears completion for its world release at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May.
Hugo Stenbeck’s Dubois 90, Genuine Risk, left it until the last race to snatch overall victory in Class 1 from Richard Matthews’ Humphries 54, Oystercatcher XXVIII by a single point.