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Archive for December 2017

Rolex Sydney Hobart Preview

December 22, 2017
Now entering its 73rd edition, there’s as much anticipation as ever for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. An even 100 yachts representing 11 different nations have taken up the annual Boxing Day challenge of racing 628 miles south from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. More »

Straws Suck

December 20, 2017
It’s a well-used comment but still so appropriate. Like most single-use plastic items (water bottles, etc.) straws literally and truly suck. We are reminded too often when we get a drink and kick ourselves for forgetting to say "skip the straw." More »

Spirited Banderas Bay Blast

Last week’s Banderas Bay Blast generated almost 40,000 pesos in donations for school lunches and supplies for kids who need assistance. The racing was spirited, even though the hype was that it was a “non-serious” regatta. More »

How Was Your Windy Weekend?

December 18, 2017
Well, since you asked for readers’ observations about this windy weekend, here’s one sailor’s perspective: Saturday approached its boisterous expectations, although the wind wasn’t particularly noteworthy for SF Bay; its strength was less than on a typical summer afternoon. More »

Beer Can Racing Year-Round

The start of the BYC Chowder on Sunday, in pleasant weather after Saturday’s blow. © Berkeley Yacht Club offers two seasons of beer can races — summer (April-September) is for Friday Night Races and winter (October-March) is Chowder time on Sundays. More »

Gabart Crushes Record

François Gabart finishes a speedy solo lap of the planet. © 2017 Macif Course au Large Yesterday afternoon, after 42 days, 16 hours and 40 minutes at sea, 34-year-old sailor François Gabart shattered the solo round-the-world record, knocking nearly six and a half days off countryman Thomas Coville’s already impressive record from last year aboard Sodebo Ultim’. More »

Capsize at Cape Horn

December 15, 2017
While much of the sailing world has been focused on François Gabart and his incredible round-the-world record attempt, it’s been easy to overlook fellow French multihull sailor Yves le Blevec. The skipper of the Ultim’ trimaran Actual, le Blevec left France on November 24 to embark on a similar — though very different — voyage. More »