Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), made their name through widespread (and controversial) use by military forces over the past two decades. Outside the military, however, a drone’s primary benefit,…
Veteran single-handed transatlantic sailor Philip Walwyn dies after falling overboard
Accomplished sailor Philip Walwyn has passed away in hospital after being recovered from the sea off the Cornish coast. The 68 year old from St Kitts, who was sailing from…
5 tips: getting a good start – and the 60 seconds after that
The subtleties of a good start are more complicated than identifying a good spot to leeward and starting next to someone who is going to give space and be happy…
Why paper charts still have a place alongside iPad and electronic navigation
When you open up any electronic navigation program you usually see a disclaimer telling you not to rely on its accuracy. ‘All charts and maps are for reference purpose only.…
C&C 30 – blistering performance in a manageable package
Today, going like the clappers downwind is easy; anyone can do it. But there are two basic approaches: there is eye-watering, fixed-grin, backside-twitchingly quick, with the boat balanced on a…
VIDEO: The first foiling MOD70 – Gitana Team’s Edmond de Rothschild flies during her first trials!
The MOD70 (Multi One Design 70ft) is a well-proven ocean-racing trimaran that regulary hits 40 knot speeds. But what happens when you fit foiling daggerboards and T-rudders to one and…
Gallery: Highlights from the Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta
Take a look at these fantastic pictures from the Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta in Cowes. All images © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
An Arctic delivery from north-west Greenland to France provides a chilling tale
Sailing in the Arctic is just about as crazy as it sounds. It is bone-chillingly cold and sailing in the snow is commonplace. There is the constant threat of hitting…
Three fast cruisers from France: the Pogo 36 and two from Django
If you are looking for a cruising yacht that will rapidly take you to far away places in a safe and reliable manner, it would make sense to consider the…
Ainslie wins Portsmouth America’s Cup World Series event
For the home team to win the first of the AC World Series events for the 35th America’s Cup cycle was a dream result. But Land Rover BAR’s slick crew…
Ainslie delivers dream result for opening day of the 35th America’s Cup cycle. Matthew Sheahan reports
Unlike the practice day on Friday when conditions were fluky, the visibility shocking and the rain biblical, for the opening day of the 35th America’s Cup cycle the sun shone,…
Portsmouth is putting on a brilliant dress rehearsal for ‘bringing the America’s Cup home’
How would it feel if Sir Ben Ainslie were to succeed in his grand ambition to ‘bring the Cup home’? The America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth answered that today. It…
Spoiling Ainslie’s dream, why practice day at the Portsmouth America’s Cup World Series was a big deal
“We would like nothing more than to spoil the dream that Ben [Ainslie] and his team has,” said Oracle Racing’s skipper Jimmy Spithill on the eve of the practice day…
5 tips: the dip and the squeeze – techniques to get you away from the start fast
Even if you get clear air off the start line it’s likely there will be other boats close by on either side and the one to leeward might already be…
Torbjörn Törnqvist, head of Artemis Racing – the quiet man of the America’s Cup
You have to look carefully to spot Torbjörn Törnqvist. Wearing identical gear to the rest of his crew and listening intently to the pre-race briefing and post-race analysis in the…
Video: All the J Class action from Falmouth, as Velsheda, Ranger and Lionheart put on a show
This professionally shot and edited film by OCT Films, which includes some prime footage of the yachts in action from the water and from onboard, helps show why both the…
The foiling phenomenon – how sailing boats got up on foils to go ever-faster
Here’s a challenge. Design a way to support the weight of five saloon cars on a plate the size of your desk on the water. That was the task that…
Top places to grab a bite to eat if you are off to watch the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth
We’ve teamed up with blogger Penny Hopkins, author of the popular blog Hop’s Hikes & Bites, to bring you a guide to the top places to grab a bite to eat…
Why the next generation is embracing high speeds and body armour as sailing takes a huge step forwards
Clocking 40knots in a 45footer is not unusual, far from it – It’s the new norm, the start of a new generation. But not everyone has bought into foil borne…
How to win at Cowes Week: some people seem to ‘get lucky’ every year! How do they do it?
Lone Star – XOD Name of boat: Lone Star – built 1960 Type of boat: XOD – 119 Owner: Stuart Jardine First Cowes Week: 1956 (won in Persephone XOD 92)…