The first sailing medals of the 2016 Olympic Games have been decided, without the final medal races in the men’s RS:X windsurfing even being sailed. Defending Olympic champion Dorian van Rijsselberghe…
British sailors in five medal positions at Rio Olympics after day of ‘survival conditions’
British sailors had one of their best days yet at the Rio sailing Olympics on Thursday. On a day when the Finns and 470s were battling in big waves on the…
5 tips: finding clear air in a crowded racing fleet
For the leading boats clear air comes free, but for those locked in the middle of a competitive fleet this essential commodity is in short supply. Whether it was a…
British ‘rookies’ shine at Rio debut, as Day 3 delivers big breeze conditions
Much has been made – amongst both supporters and rivals – of the ‘changing of the guard’ at the British Sailing Team for 2016. With dominant senior team members such…
Azuree 41 video – footage from our trials aboard Sirena Marine’s versatile new performance cruiser
Over the last decade Sirena Marine has established itself as Turkey’s leading production boat builder. But its learning curve has been a steep one, matched by improvements in quality and…
Paralympic sailor Hannah Stodel awarded top Cowes Week Trophy
In a sport in which determination is in decent supply, Paralympic sailor Hannah Stodel stands out. The 30-year-old sailor has spent the last 16 years striving for an Olympic medal…
No dream start for Finn favourite Scott as heavyweight competition begins in Rio
Giles Scott might not be a household name, but it should certainly have featured on the many ‘ones to watch’ lists compiled in advance of this Games. Heading to Rio…
Disaster relief by yacht – how cruisers around the world are doing their bit
Gusting up to 190mph, Cyclone Winston was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded reaching land in Fiji and the South Pacific Basin. On 20 February 2016 the Category 5 Severe…
Early leaders take control in RS:X classes – but Laser fleets are anyone’s guess on day one of Rio 2016
Guanabara Bay delivered some great sailing conditions to launch the first day of the Olympic Sailing Competition on Monday, 8 August, but the Rio venue was still very, very tricky.…
Who’s who at the Olympics – we look a some of the hopefuls and wildcards in each class
Pollution, Zika epidemic, Brazil’s president impeached, athletes robbed at gunpoint – the preparations for the Olympic Games in Rio have been marred by controversy. Part of the challenge for the…
How to follow the Rio 2016 Sailing Olympics
For the 380 sailing athletes competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a medal symbolises more than their skills; it is a reflection of the single-minded, obsessive nature that is required…
Solo sailor dodges hurricanes and ice on a North Atlantic crossing
An eastward crossing of the Atlantic in June or July should be easy for a well-found gaff cutter like Iron Bark. Wind and current are generally fair, gales few and…
Marina di Portisco Privilege Card Holders Scheme proves a great success
Based in the Costa Smeralda, this family friendly and full facility marina has ‘hit a note’ offering a Privilege Points scheme with boat owners who use their services. Marina Manager,…
Rio, a cruiser’s perspective – should you drop everything and sail there?
Scarcely ruffled by a lazy late afternoon breeze, the sea was an oily pink and orange lake. Two miles to the north, an endless chain of tall, strangely curvaceous grey…
Pollution in Rio spoiling the sailing Olympics? Skip Novak says: ‘This is Brazil; just enjoy the carnival’
I know Rio well enough. We stopped there in the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1978. That was the year many of the competitors – and the security guards,…
Euphoria 68: a long-legged cruiser built in Turkey
A surefire way to bring our attention to a sizzling new launch is to send us some enticing pictures. This first sailing image of Sirena Marine’s flagship Euphoria 68 reveals…
Get out of that – heaving to in strong winds. Advice from Dee Caffari
This image should be entitled ‘Get into That’. Bernard Stamm had 120 miles to go to the finish line – to the north of Great Barrier Island – when he…
Common Cowes Week mistakes – and how to avoid them
Starting at the wrong end of the Squadron line Get it wrong and you will spend all day in last place with no hope of winning. The core issue is…
Atlantic gear survey: long-range communications at sea
Few could honestly claim they are not reliant on the internet today. The advent of stronger and faster 3G and 4G networks and wi-fi boosters have allowed us to maintain…
Comanche, Jim Clark’s 100ft super maxi, smashes the transatlantic record
In making the crossing in just 5 days, 14 hours, and 21 minutes Comanche has knocked over 24 hours off the prized record held by Mari-Cha IV for the last…