From the Editor
Two great round the world races start shortly. Which is the most exciting?

On the Wind
America’s Cup protagonists talking again?; BMW Oracle’s 90ft tri on trials; solo sailor saved after four hours in the water; remembering Olin Stephens, the greatest designer of the past century

The Walrus
An optimist’s look at yachting

Letters
Hail to our Olympic sailors – shame about the TV coverage; how to persuade superyachts to come to Britain

Robin Knox-Johnston
Britain’s Gold medals were a fantastic showcase for our sport

Gear
Ultrasound antifouling, collision repair kit; high-tech cooker; smart chafe stripes

Leading Edge
A high-tech fitness monitor you can wear all the time

Sun shines on Southampton
Show organisers pull out all the stops for Southampton’s 40th birthday

Hopes and fears of the Vendée Globe Britpack

European Yacht of the Year
We report from the first session of trials for this increasingly prestigious award

That’s the Spirit!
Toby Hodges sails the sensuous new Spirit 76 and is captivated by her blend of glorious traditional lines and practical modern sailing qualities

The best way to sail the ARC?
How to set up for downwind sailing will depend on your boat, crew and type of sailing. But meteorologist Chris Tibbs offers his advice for a crossing of the Atlantic with the ARC

Aesop’s Caribbean
The famous fable with a West Indian twist – or how the Tortoise, the Hare and that other vital creature of the Caribbean, the Party Animal, should plan their cruise around the islands

In for a bumpy ride?
Seven British solo sailors are joining the Vendée Globe merry-go-round. They talk candidly to Elaine Bunting about their hopes and fears

Mini effort, maxi fun
A class within a class, the mini maxis of 60-70ft took the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup by storm with their speed and panache. James Boyd reports

Cruising
French raid on yacht taken by pirates – President Sarkozy calls for action; tiniest boat to sail the Atlantic; crew rescued off Australia had poor charts

Stay sharp in coral
In the light of a number of incidents of yachts coming to grief on reefs, Steve Dashew offers his advice on navigating in tricky coral waters

Great Seamanship
The replica leather boat Brendan careers through the Mykines Sound in the Faeroe Islands

Performance World
Yachting is on the up in Russia, as two TP52 teams and a Volvo boat launch into action and a fleet of Dragons race near Moscow. Boat of the month: Roark. Rules: that Olympic 49er decision

Going for Gold
Welcome home to the British Olympic sailors

Supersail
The hull of the J Class Lionheart is complete and ready for her interior in Holland; Huisman unveil three new projects from Dykstra

Yachts for sale

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One Amazing Day
Solo sailor Bob Beggs remembers a challenging time in the Europe 1 STAR race in 1992