Vendée Globe Twists and Turns, Thrills and Spills
by Mark Jardine
I need to start with an admission... I'm addicted to the Vendée Globe I need to start with an admission... I'm addicted to the Vendée Globe. When I wake in the morning, I look at the tracker, and at each sked (it updates every four hours) I take a look.
Posted on 10 Dec Ways Into Sailing: GJW Direct's Luke Marsh
by Mark Jardine
From a phobia of water to sailor, an inspiring story from the marine industry When Luke Marsh joined GJW Direct to head up their Marketing Department he had no experience in sailing. In fact he had a phobia of water.
Posted on 5 Dec New Products from Allen Brothers at METSTRADE 2024
by Mark Jardine
Swivel Blocks, Tii-Bones and Travellers! New and innovative products to make sailors' lives easier Swivel Blocks, Tii-Bones and Travellers! Allen Brothers never disappoint, with new and innovative products to make sailors' lives easier. We spoke to Ben Harden at METSTRADE 2024 to find out about three new products in their range.
Posted on 28 Nov Manly's pathway to progress
by Mark Jardine
A youth sailing success story in Australia The Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club is a success story against a background of dwindling support for youth sailing in Australia.
Posted on 26 Nov So much more than tiller extensions
by Mark Jardine
Charting the incredible rise of GOAT Marine If you were at the Dinghy Show a couple of years back you may well have seen Steve Badham selling tiller extensions on a small stand. Those that picked them up would have noticed they were really light and immensely strong whilst also being shatterproof.
Posted on 14 Nov Saving the best for last
by Mark Jardine
2024 is being a veritable feast for big events in sailing 2024 is being a veritable feast for big events in sailing with SailGP giving us our hors d'oeuvre, Paris 2024 in Marseille as our starter, the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup the main course, and we're now enjoying the Vendée Globe for dessert.
Posted on 13 Nov Preparing your boat for winter
by Mark Jardine
It is important to ensure that your boat is protected from the elements and ready for the cold As we head towards winter, the likelihood of storms increases, so it is important to ensure that your boat is protected from the elements and ready for the cold.
Posted on 30 Oct Ambre Hasson's unconventional path into sailing
by Mark Jardine
From 9-5 in New York to Classe Mini sailing in France! Ambre Hasson is a Classe Mini sailor who will be talking to sailors in the Vendée Globe race village ahead of the start on 10th November. Originally not into sailing, she was inspired by Pip Hare in the 2020/21 Vendée to get into the sport.
Posted on 29 Oct Savvy Navvy - making boating more accessible
by Mark Jardine
I spoke to founder Jelte Liebrand about his background, philosophy, the app itself The rise of Savvy Navvy in the world of boating navigation has been spectacular, with over 2 million downloads of the app.
Posted on 21 Oct Eastern Promise
by Mark Jardine
A recent trip to China to attend the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta proved to be enlightening Travelling around the world to see how sailing is practised is enlightening, and a recent trip to China to attend the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta turned out to be one of the most interesting events I've ever seen.
Posted on 14 Oct Interview with Saskia Clark
by Mark Jardine
Sailing on the Athena Pathway AC40, reunited with 470 helm Hannah Mills I met up with Saskia Clark, Olympic gold medallist, pro sailor, and now racing in the PUIG Women's America's Cup together with her 470 helm Hannah Mills.
Posted on 8 Oct Interview with Hannah Mills
by Mark Jardine
On the Athena Pathway, the Women's America's Cup and what an AC40 is really like I spoke with Hannah Mills in Barcelona ahead of the 37th America's Cup to find out more about the Athena Pathway, the PUIG Women's America's Cup, how she put the team together, and what sailing an AC40 is really like.
Posted on 6 Oct Tension, Temperament and Trust
by Mark Jardine
What makes a modern America's Cup sailor tick? Sailing an AC75 is not something every sailor can do. The myriad of controls, the split roles and the incredible speeds all make it a tricky proposition, but when you're sailing against an evenly-matched opponent, the difficulty goes to a whole new level.
Posted on 1 Oct Should you install load sensors on a new yacht?
by Mark Jardine
I spoke to Cyclops Marine's Ben Hazeldine to find out Understanding the rig on your yacht and how it is set up is critical, all the way from when it is brand new. I spoke to Cyclops Marine's Ben Hazeldine to find out more about how their load cells can help with this.
Posted on 1 Oct Why Luna Rossa weren't penalised in R4 pre-start
by Mark Jardine
An AC75 may have 'gybed' far earlier than we think! Race 4 between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS Britannia in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final was full of drama, but one moment had had sailors asking questions on social media groups more than any other, and clearly riled Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher.
Posted on 29 Sep Should the British start dreaming?
by Mark Jardine
Can INEOS Britannia actually win the America's Cup? I remember back in 1996 England hosted the football European Championship and, ahead of this, comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner with the band the Lightning Seeds released the song 'Three Lions', with the refrain, "It's coming home."
Posted on 17 Sep Glorious Race Weeks
by Mark Jardine
Bumper participation is an indicator for the health of sailing It would be so easy to write about the Olympics and America's Cup this week in my newsletter but, in all honesty, we're writing and talking enough about those on Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com already. Instead let's focus on Race Weeks.
Posted on 3 Sep Xc 47: eXtraordinary attention to detail
by Mark Jardine
Transforming bluewater cruising from ordinary to sublime A bluewater cruising yacht is lived on and lived in, and in today's world there are a plethora of systems required to provide the creature comforts which make living at sea transform from ordinary to sublime.
Posted on 29 Aug America's Cup: Can you pick a winner?
by Mark Jardine
Thursday sees the start of racing in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta We've hardly drawn breath after the Olympics, and already the America's Cup is upon us. Thursday sees the start of racing in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, where each of the teams will get to face off against one another.
Posted on 20 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Rob Wilson
by Mark Jardine
How a coach works with the team to sail an AC75 tactically, and control a 50 knot yacht As a sailing coach, Rob Wilson works with the team on the water to help hone their skills in the AC75. How the team sail tactically, and how they control these insanely fast yachts, will be key to winning the America's Cup.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Ben Cornish
by Mark Jardine
Including why it's critical to have sailors amongst the power generation team The Exe Estuary in Devon has been a hotbed of sailing talent for many years. Ben Cornish grew up seeing the exploits of fellow Exmouth sailors Joe Glanfield, Stevie Morrison, Ben Rhodes and Conrad Humphries, and wanted to become an Olympian himself.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: David 'Freddie' Carr
by Mark Jardine
There are certain people you want on your team no matter what There are certain people you want on your team no matter what. Freddie is one of those people. He has transitioned from grinder to cyclor for his sixth America's Cup campaign, but does so much more for the team behind the scenes.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Bleddyn Mon
by Mark Jardine
We find out more about his route into the America's Cup world and his role within the team The vast experience that Bleddyn Mon has in sailing seems impossible considering he is just 31 years old. Here we find out more about his route into the America's Cup world and his role within the team.
Posted on 19 Aug The INEOS Interviews: Ben Ainslie
by Mark Jardine
The Skipper and CEO who is aiming to 'Bring the Cup home' Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful Olympic sailor ever, as well as winning countless championships, and an America's Cup with ORACLE Team USA. But his obsession for over a decade has been bringing the Cup home to Great Britain.
Posted on 19 Aug eXquisite detail - it's about what you don't see
by Mark Jardine
True quality comes from within True quality comes from within. Beneath the beautiful veneers, the flowing lines, the glossy gelcoat and the gleaming brightwork is the precision engineering and craftsmanship which separates the outstanding from the regular.
Posted on 15 Aug Brits philosophical after OCS disappointment
by Mark Jardine & Andi Robertson
John Gimson and Anna Burnet, while disappointed, refuse to be downcast Going into the Mixed Multihull Medal Race in bronze medal position, albeit tied with the Kiwis on points, was a strong position for Great Britain's John Gimson and Anna Burnet, but being over the startline and not returning dashed any chances of a medal.
Posted on 8 Aug Battle Royale in Marseille
by Mark Jardine
Men's Dinghy Medal Race drama at Paris 2024 Olympics In scenes reminiscent of the battle between Ben Ainslie and Robert Scheidt in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia's Matt Wearn and Cypriot Pavlos Kontides slugged it out in the Men's Dinghy Medal Race today.
Posted on 7 Aug Five Ring Circus
by Mark Jardine
I've got mixed feelings about the Paris 2024 Olympics I've got mixed feelings about the Paris 2024 Olympics. The sailing event so far has definitely had its ups and downs, highs and lows, stand-out performances, shocks, disappointments and controversies.
Posted on 6 Aug Three-Sided Dice?
by Mark Jardine
Love it hate it, the new format for the Windsurfing certainly provides drama, but is it fair? Love it hate it, the new format for the Windsurfing certainly provides drama, and the final race has truly become a Medal Race... but is it fair?
Posted on 3 Aug Interview with NTG CEO Sam Watson
by Mark Jardine
Following Doyle Sails and Quantum Sails joining the Group It's been a busy time for North Technology Group (NTG) with the addition of Doyle Sails and Quantum Sails just announced, adding the best-in-class sailmakers to their existing portfolio which includes North Sails, and Southern Spars.
Posted on 2 Aug From Hvar to Paris 2024
by Mark Jardine
The Olympic Games are unique The Olympic Games are unique. Coming once every four years, it can be a once in a lifetime sporting opportunity. For the small Croatian island of Hvar, Paris 2024 is a first, as the island's first-ever Olympian will be competing, and he's a sailor.
Posted on 23 Jul Whisper it quietly..
by Mark Jardine
Don't say it too loudly, but the Youth Sailing Worlds are taking place next week Don't say it too loudly, but the Youth Sailing World Championships are taking place at Lake Garda in under a week's time.
Posted on 9 Jul Performance vs. Participation
by Mark Jardine
Or Correlation vs. Causation? I've heard many a time that one of the reasons for a fall in participation in sailing is the increased performance of boats. Effectively, the skill level and athleticism required in high performance boats excludes a range of people from participating.
Posted on 25 Jun Corinthian Spirit
by Mark Jardine
The inaugural Corinthian J70 Worlds had a superb entry of 109 boats Sailing has gone through phases of being professional and Corinthian. Originally a pastime for the rich, then becoming a sport for everyone during the boom in the 1960s and 1970s.
Posted on 11 Jun Para, Inclusive and Open RS Venture Connect
by Mark Jardine
We find out more ahead of the upcoming World Championship at Rutland, UK We speak to Dan Jaspers, who is responsible for International Sales and Business Development at the RS Marine Group, about the RS Venture Connect.
Posted on 6 Jun Sail Exchange launch Sail X
by Mark Jardine
Moving into the new sail market, as well as working on end-of-life recycling for sails Sail Exchange have been giving new life to used sails, spars and parts for a decade, and have now moved into the new sail market with Sail X.
Posted on 4 Jun Complex, Controlled Coordination
by Mark Jardine
Get it right and you'll have far more enjoyment when out on the water The International Paint Poole Regatta over the late May Bank Holiday long weekend in the UK was a superb yacht racing event.
Posted on 29 May This isn't what I expected
by Mark Jardine
I'm very surprised just how different the new AC75s are A month ago, when I wrote 'AC75 launching season', just three of the AC75s set to contest the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona had been revealed. Now it's five, with just the French Orient Express Racing Team left to show their hand.
Posted on 13 May Grabbing chances with both hands
by Mark Jardine
Can bad weather actually lead to more sailing? There's been no getting away from the fact that it's been a pretty miserable start to 2024 weather-wise in the UK. February saw record rainfall (yes, I know we're famed for our rain over here), it's been seriously windy and generally chilly.
Posted on 30 Apr worldmarine.media news update
by Mark Jardine
Transat CIC, Congressional Cup, Last Chance Regatta News from The Transat CIC from Lorient to New York, the 59th Congressional Cup where Chris Poole and Ian Williams contested the final and the Last Chance Regatta, where the final qualifiers for Paris 2024 were decided.
Posted on 30 Apr worldmarine.media news PILOT SHOW
by Mark Jardine
Featuring Mozzy Sails, Weir Wood Sailing Club, Crewsaver and UpWind by MerConcept Happy to launch the worldmarine.media news pilot show! Many thanks to contributors MozzySails, Weir Wood Sailing Club, Crewsaver and UpWind by MerConcept, sponsored by 11th Hour Racing.
Posted on 28 Apr AC75 launching season
by Mark Jardine
Love 'em or hate 'em, the current America's Cup yachts represent the cutting-edge of foiling Love 'em or hate 'em, the current America's Cup yachts certainly represent the cutting-edge of foiling and are the fastest windward-leeward sailing machines on water.
Posted on 15 Apr America's Cup and SailGP merge designs
by Mark Jardine & Bene Donovan
Cost-saving measure will ensure that teams only have to purchase one type of boat In negotiations reminiscent of the PGA and LIV golf, an agreement has been come to by the America's Cup and SailGP to merge the design of the yachts used on the two high-profile circuits.
Posted on 1 Apr Sailing Chandlery's Founder Andrew Dowley
by Mark Jardine
Interview with Andrew as the business has gone from strength to strength The business has gone from strength to strength, but never moved away from its ethos of getting sailing gear to the customer as fast as possible.
Posted on 27 Mar Shaking off the rust
by Mark Jardine
Sunday was what I'd count as the start of my 'sailing season' While I had sailed a couple of times already this year, Sunday was what I'd count as the start of my 'sailing season'. It's been a pretty grim February in the UK so the days getting longer and a bit drier is welcome.
Posted on 18 Mar Taking a look at the Nacra 570
by Mark Jardine
We chat with Rogier Voetelink the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show The Nacra 570 is designed to bridge the gap between a holiday beach cat and a high performance catamaran, making exhilarating multihull sailing more accessible for those who don't want the hassle of a daggerboard cat.
Posted on 6 Mar A show like no other
by Mark Jardine
I've written a lot about the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in the past and will in the future I've written a lot about the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in the past and am sure I will write more on it in the future. Last year I wrote 'It may not be the biggest...'. The reason I keep coming back to it is that it's truly a show like no other.
Posted on 4 Mar Taking a closer look at the Switch
by Mark Jardine
We spoke to Simon Hiscocks to find out more about the one design foiler There are many dinghies throughout the years which have taken their inspiration from the International Moth and become one design. The Europe and the British Moth are two, and now there's the Switch.
Posted on 28 Feb We chat with Tom Morris on the Allen stand
by Mark Jardine
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show Tom Morris of the Youtube channel Mozzy Sails talks to us at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2024 about developing fittings with Allen for his RS800, his favourite block, the America's Cup and more!
Posted on 26 Feb Celebrating 25 years of Rooster!
by Mark Jardine
We speak with founder Steve Cockerill at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show Mark Jardine speaks with Steve Cockerill, founder of Rooster, on the 25th Anniversary of the innovative sailing clothing and chandlery company.
Posted on 25 Feb