International

The weather remained cool and windy - 10-25 kn - yesterday. The 49er skiffs ended their programs (without NorAm teams) with the Medal Races, and today, the top-6 of the other classes terminate their program. Jonas Warrer/Peter Lang DEN defended their first place in the three 49er-Medal-Races winning overall ahead of Evans/Powys GBR and d'Ortoli/Delpech FRA. Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke GER were twice successful in the Medal Races and climbed on top of the 49er-FX in front of Jurczok/..GER and Baad-Nielsen/Thusgaard DEN. Everything is open in the finals of the other classes today, as the new regatta format cares little about the performance of a team during the race week. Leaders in the 470 men are Belcher/Ryan AUS ahead of Fantela/Marencic CRO and Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI, who had an excellent day yesterday with the race ranks 3/2/2. Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL have seven (!) bullets on their results sheet after 11 races sailed so far ...... and are only one point ahead of the second-ranked Weguelin/McIntyre GBR before the two Medal Races of today. Haeger/Provancha USA are 4th. Kyriankou/Van Veen NED follow on rank 3. First in the Finns is Pieter-Jan Postma NED followed by Caleb Payne USA and Mark Andrews GBR. No change in the Nacra 17: Mulder/Visser NED lead in front of Vaireaux/Audinet FRA and Ogerau/ Vandame FRA. The leading windsurfers before the Medal Races are Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED RS:X men and Flavia Tartaglini ITA RS:X women. All ranking lists, the daily report and the videos of the day.

The last three Final Series races were sailed yesterday in an intial 10 kn breeze, increasing to 25 kn during the heats to select the six sailors for the Medal Races of today. Interesting the nations mix in the Lasers Standard with two boats each from Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Tom Burton AUS is on top ahead of Andy Maloney NZL and Matthew Wearn AUS. To be noted, that these final ranks together with the result of the two Medal Races decide on the final outcome of the event !
No change in the sequence on top of the Lasers Radial, where Allison Young GBR leads in front of Marit Bouwmeester NED and Annalise Murphy IRL. Mathilde de Kerangeat FRA, Lijia Xu CHN and Tatjana Droszdovskaja BLR complete the Medal Race fleet.
The results, the daily report and the videos.

The Paralympic Delta Lloyd Regatta ended yesterday. The English ladies remained on top of the 2.4 m Delta Lloyd Regatta with Megan Pascoe GBR as first and Helena Lucas GBR on the 2nd place. Barend Kol NED finished 3rd. In the Sonars, Udo Hessels NED is the winner ahead of Bruno Jourdren FRA and John Robertson GBR. The rankings.

Cool temperatures, rain and a moderate North wind prevailed on day two of the Eastern Hemisphere Championship on Lake Garda. The favorites continue to dominate the race. Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER were the winners of both races and will most probably take the overall lead tonight, when the worst result will be discarded. With the ranking bfd/1/1/1, there result row is (almost) flawless, and only the premature start hinders them to lead overall. For the moment, they are on the 6th place. Diego Negri ITA/Frithjof Kleen GER are still on top followed by Merkelbach/Bartelt and Tom Löfsted SWE with Jesper Sundmann SWE as crew follows on 3rd, thanks to a 4th race rank. Michel Niklaus SUI/Mark Strube USA follow closely on rank 16. The results and the video of the day.

Winning the Medal Race, sailed in a 20 kn breeze as well, Michael Maier CZE earned his 5th Masters title in a row, a new record. André Budzien GER and Eric Lidecis USA complete the podium. The rest of the fleet sailed a last classification race. results and the report.

Wet cold weather and a stiff breeze prevailed on day three of the Delta Lloyd Regatta on the Ijssel-Meer. Today, the Final Series come to an end and the top-8 skiffs and top-6 of the other classes qualify for the Medal Races. Matthew Belcher/Will Ryan AUS are again on top of the 470 men ahead of Snow-Hansen/Willcox NZL and Fantela/Marencic CRO who are over 10 points behind. A very clear lead also for Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL in the 470 women, ahead of Weguelin/McIntyre GBR and - thanks to two bullets - Kyranakou/Van Veen NED. Haeger/Provancha USA are now 4th. In the 49ers, Warrer/Lang DEN defended the first place ahead of D'Ortoli/Delpech FRA and Heil/Plössel GER new on the ranks 2 and 3. In the 49erFX, the new leaders are Ida Baad-Nielsen/Marie Thusgaard DEN, but Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke GER are only two points behind. Pieter-Jan Postma NED further extended his lead in the Finns with three race wins, in front of Caleb Paine USA and Piotr Kula POL. Mandy Mulder/Thijs Visser NED have increased their lead in the Nacra-17, followed by Vaireaux/Audinet FRA and Ogerau/Vandame FRA. Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED clearly ahead of Przemyslav Miarczynski POL and Julien Bontemps FRA in the RS:X windsurfers men, and Victoria Chan HKG closely followed by Moana Delle GER in the RS:X women are the windsurfing leaders. All rankings, the report of the day and the video of the day.

Windy and cool - 7-9°C - conditions on the Ijssel Meer where the Laser fleets began the Final Series sailed in Gold- and Silverfleets. Best of the day was Andy Maloney NZL with a 2/1/17 result row, approaching the overall leader Tom Burton AUS at one point. Rutger Van Schaardenburg NED follows on rank 3. After today's races, the best six go forward to the Medal Race. Great suspense is guaranteed as Tonci Stipanovic CRO on position 4 and Sam Meech NZL as 9th are separated by 7 points only. Dave Wright CAN, rank 12, is too far away from the top-6.
In the Lasers Radial, Allison Young GBR and Annalise Murphy IRL share rank one with the same number of points, five points ahead of Marit Bouwmeester NED. The Olympic Champion Lijia Xu CHN advanced on position 6 thanks to her first race win. Brenda Bowskill CAN is 15th.
The ranking lists, the daily report and the video of the day.

The windy condition were above all at the pleasure of the Dutch teams. In the 2.4 m, Barend Kol NED is now only one point behind the leading Megan Pascoe GBR, but in the race for rank one is still Helena Lucas GBR as 3rd. Positive also the performance ot Sven Reiger AUT advancing on the 4th place, a newcomer in Paralympic racing. In the Sonars, the Paralympic Champions Udo Hessels NED und his team with three race wins. Bruno Jourdren FRA follows 6 points behind as 2nd. The results, the daily report and the video of the day.

Best Ora conditions prevailed yesterday with up to 25 kn from the South off Torbole for the Eastern Hemisphere Championship of the Starboats. Two races were sailed and with Diego Negri ITA/Frithjof Kleen GER, one of the favorite teams has taken the lead. With the day ranks 1 and 2, they are clearly ahead of Racchelli/Ferrari ITA and Szabo/Hagin USA. 33 teams from 9 nations. The rankings and the video of the day.

No racing yesterday because of a too strong breeze off. Today, a last qualification race and the Medal Race are on the program, and again, a fresh wind has been forecast. The defending champion Michael Maier CZE has a 3 points' lead over André Budzien GER and is in the pole position for another title .. his fifth in a row, a new record. One point farther back is Eric Lidecis USA also with chances for rank one. Medal chances are also with Tauras Rymonis LTU and Thomas Schmidt GER. Jan Eckert SUI on rank 16 is only 7 points behind the Medal Race of the top-10, not impossible to compensate in the large fleet. The report and the rankings.

A 25-30 kn breeze prevailed on the second day of the Delta Lloyd Regatta, too much for the new Olympic classes Nacra17, 49erFX as well as the 49ers, who had to stay ashore. In all other classes, the big breeze specialists had their day, but surprisingly in the 470 men, Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO even succeeded to replace Matthew Belcher/Will Ryan AUS on top. Snow-Hansen/Willcox NZL follow as 3rd. Thanks of a race win, Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI advanced on rank 4. Dominating were the Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL in the 470 women, winning both heats and extending the lead on Weguelin/McIntyre GBR and Haeger/Provancha USA. Andrew Mills GBR is the new first in the Finns, closely followed by Caleb Paine USA and the double race winner Pieter-Jan Postma NED. Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED in the men and Victoria Chan HKG in the women are the top-ranked RS:X windsurfers. All ranking lists, the report of the day and the video of the day.

Up to 30 kn was the breeze on day two at the Delta Lloyd-Regatta on the Ijssel-Meer in Holland. The Australians and NewZealanders had a strong day, but Tonci Stipanovic CRO with a solid row of results and discarding the OCS disqualification is nevertheless on top one point ahead of Tom Burton AUS with the duo Andy Maloney NZL and Matthew Wearn AUS at equal points not far behind on the ranks 3 and 4. The Qualification Series are done and as from today, the 25 best-ranked will sail the Final Series in the Goldfleet
The day wins in the Lasers Radial went to Allison Young GBR, defending her overall lead, and Annalise Murphy IRL, confirming the 2nd place. Marit Bouwmeester NED is now 3rd, while the Olympic Champion Lijia Xu CHN stays on rank 9.
All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report.

Only one race in a 8-10 kn breeze was possible yesterday off La Rochelle as the wind was not solid enough for more. Michael Maier CZE was the winner in his fleet, moving up on top overall, and Thomas Schmidt GER, Olympian 1988, was first in the other fleet, advancing on rank 5 overall. 3 points behind Maier CZE is the former leader André Budzien GER now 2nd. Erik Lidecis USA defended rank 3. With a 9th race rank and die OCS disqualification discarded, Jan Eckert SUI moved up on rank 16 as best of the large Swiss delegation. His brother Piet Eckert SUI follows as 24th, Beat Heinz SUI on rank 44 is another Swiss in the top-50 among the 371 participants. The results, the report and the videos.

Cold wet weather, but good wind conditions prevailed on the first day of the Delta Lloyd Regatta on the Ijssel-Meer. The favorites are mostly already in top positions, such as Matthew Belcher/Will Ryan AUS in the 470 men as winner of all three races. Snow-Hansen/Willcox NZL follow on rank 2, Fantela/Marencic CRO and Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI are 3rd with the same number of points. Similar situation in the 470 women, where the Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL lead ahead of Weguelin/McIntyre GBR and Haeger/Provancha USA. Clear leaders in the 49ers are Warrer/Lang DEN in front of Kostov/Cupac CRO, while the top duo in the 49erFX with Annemiek Bekkering/Claire Blom NED and Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke GER is closely together. Finishing 2/2/1, it is Greg Douglas CAN who leads in the Finns ahead of Piotr Kula POL and Caleb Paine USA. Mandy Mulder/Thjis Vissel NED are clearly ahead of Ogereau/Vandame FRA in the Nacra-17. Dominator in the RS:X men windsurfers is Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED with four bullets, while Moana Delle GER is first in the RS:X women. All results, the video of the day and the reports.

A 15 kn breeze, rain and temperatures below 10° prevailed on day one of the second Act of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup. The favorites have already taken the top places after three races in these challenging conditions. Tom Burton AUS leads in the Lasers Standard 4 points ahead of Rutger Van Schaardenburg NED. Matthew Wearn AUS is 3rd. Inspite of two bullets, Tonci Stipanovic CRO is only 4th. Best of the 8 boats' Canadian delegation is Matthew Ryder CAN on rank 23. 70 participants from 24 nations are racing.
With the day ranks 1/2/1, it is Allison Young GBR who leads in the Lasers Radial followed by Annalise Murphy IRL and Marit Bouwmeester NED. The Olympic Champion Lijia Xu CHN was rarely sailing in the top group and is only on the 9th place for the moment. Best of the three NorAm Radial women is Brenda Bowskill CAN.
All results, the video of the day and the reports.

Good sailing conditions prevailed also on the second day of the Finn World Masters off La Rochelle FRA with a 15 kn breeze. After the two races of yesterday, André Budzien GER is now the sole leader, one point ahead of Eric Ledicis USA. The defending champion Michael Maier CZE is on the 3rd place, 4 points behind. 274 Finns participate. The results and the report.

The two Paralympic classes 2.4 m and Sonar engaged in the Medemblik Delta Lloyd Regatta have also completed their full program, thanks to the good sailing conditions. With 29 participants from 9 nations, the 2.4 m fleet has a remarkable size. The usual British lady favorites are already in top positions with Megan Pascoe GBR two points ahead of Helena Lucas GBR. The only one to follow this duo more or less is the 3rd-ranked Barend Kol NED. Lasse Klötzing GER on rank 4 is already 13 points behind.
Leaders in the Sonars are Robertson/Stodel/Thomas GBR followed by Jourdren/Flageul/Vimont-Vicary FRA with the same number of points. 7 teams participate.
All results and the reports.

Today is day one of the Starboat Eastern Hemisphere Championship on Lake Garda, where a Silver Star is awarded for the winner, similar to the Continental Championships. Favorites are the former European Champions and Olympians Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER and Diego Negri/Sergio Lamberthengi ITA, but also the past World Champion George Szabo USA (with the Swiss-Sailing-President Vincent Hagin SUI as crew) has chances for the first place. The entry list and the official website.

Today is day one of the second Act of the new EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup, a grouping of the traditional European regattas not counting for the ISAF Worldcup. In addition to the Olympic classes, the Paralympic 2.4 m and Sonars will be racing. The best attention have the Lasers, where the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS encounters again Tonci Stipanovic CRO, Robert Scheidt BRA, Andy Maloney NZL and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA, to name but a few. The USA and Canada have boats in the 470 men and women, 49ers, Lasers Standard and Radial, Finn, RS:X men and women. All entry listsand the event-website. Good wind conditions have been forecast as from this afternoon with a breeze of up to 15 kn.

After defeating Johnie Berntsson SWE 3-1 in the semi final, the English Match Race World Champion Ian Williams GBR encountered Adam Minoprio NZL, winner of the 2011 Match Racing Tour, in the final in light and very unconstant winds. Minoprio NZL had eliminated Mathieu Richard FRA in the semi final before. Minoprio missed the start in the only valid final race and never catched up during the match. Winner of the Match Race Germany is therefore Williams GBR with a 1-0 score. The report and the results.

Cool temperatures and a 10-14 kn breeze prevailed yesterday for the first races of the Finn World Masters off La Rochelle FRA. The 285 boats were split in two fleets for the first two qualification races. Both, Eric Lidecis USA, for the first time at the Masters, and the past Masters Champion André Budzien GER, won the two races of their fleets. The OK-Dinghy-World Champion Karl Purdie NZL follows on rank 3. The defending Champion Michael Maier CZE is 4th. The report and the results.

An up to 25 kn breeze prevailed on Lake Constance yesterday morning to bring the quarter finals to a successful end, but afterwards, the wind stalled and kept the teams waiting until late in the afternoon to initiate the semi finals. Both matches, Mathieu Richard FRA vs Adam Minoprio NZL and Ian Williams GBR vs Johnie Berntson SWE, are tied 1-1 for the moment. Today is the crucial day of this first Act of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour at Langenargen. Taylor Canfield ISV was out after a close 3-2 loss against Berntson SWE. The report and the results.

No Warm-up in La Rochelle FRA yesterday at the Finn World Masters 2013, as the weather was almost winter-like with a very fresh breeze and low temperatures for the season, as never encountered in the last four Finn Masters, leaving ample time for the 284 Finn sailors to celebrate the comradeship, an important part of the event, ashore. The first start is now planned for 2 p.m. CET, and 8 races are planned until next Friday. The news, the updated entry list and the official website.

Close racing in the semi finals at St- Quay-Portrieux FRA between Lucy MacGregor GBR defeating Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED, respectively the local Julie Bossard FRA with the upper hand on Stephanie Roble USA. The final went in favor of MacGregor, having lead the classifications as from day one of the Round Robins, with a 3-1 score. Roble USA completed the podium winning the Petite Final against Zuiderbaan NED. The news and the rankings.

Just one race has been sailed on Friday so far at the Melges 20 European Series off Elba, as on Saturday, a heavy storm filled in and yesterday, the wind was too unconstant. After four races in total, Achille Onorato ITA with his 'Mascalzone Latino' and Lorenzo Bressani ITA calling the tactics was the winner ahead of Russ Lucas/Harry Melges USA and Robert Wilber/Anthony Katoun GBR. 29 teams from 6 nations particpated. The results and the report.

Sun and a 7-12 kn wind prevailed yesterday on Lake Constance for the conclusion of the Round Robin with Ian Williams GBR as winner, directly qualified for the semi finals. Mathieu Richard FRA, Taylor Canfield ISV, Björn Hansen SWE, Adam Minoprio NZL, Johnie Berntsson SWE and Karol Jablonski POL fight for the remaining three semi final places today. Among the eliminated teams is also the world nbr 3 Pierre-Antoine Morvan FRA. The first duels for the semi final have been completed with Johnie Berntsson SWE leading 2-0 vs Taylor Canfield ISV, while Richard FRA and Jablonski POL as well as Minoprio NZL and Hansen SWE are tied 1-1 each. The report and the results.

Lucy McGregor GBR, Stephanie Roble USA, Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED and Julie Bossard FRA are the semi finalists in the French Match Race Championship today. The Bericht und die reports.

A record-size 309 Finn fleet from 30 nations and 4 continents begin their Masters Championship (40+) today. The favorite is again the defending champion and 4-times Olympian Michael Maier CZE. The entry list and the preview (in French).

Ideal conditions prevailed on Lake Constance on day two of the Match Race Germany with a 10-15 kn West wind. Four duels of the Round Robin are still pending, an interesting constellation, as the first three teams - Ian Williams GBR, Matthieu Richard FRA and Taylor Canfield ISV - are tied on top of the interim's rankings with 7 wins each, and the winner will qualify directly for the semi final. The ranks 2 to 7 will fight for the remaining three places in the semis. The invited German development teams of Philpp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER are out. The results and the report of the day.

Round Robin 2 of the French Women's Match Race Championship is almost terminated at the French Northern Bretagne Coast. Lucy McGregor GBR keeps rank 1 with a 12-2 wins' score followed by Julie Brossard FRA and Stephanie Roble USA with 11-4. The results and the daily report.

The constant breeze on Lake Constance granted a very busy first day at Act one of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour off Langenargen, where five flights of Round one were completed. Three teams - Pierre-Antoine Morvan FRA, Ian Williams GBR and Mathieu Richard FRA - lead on the results table with 4-1 scores. In difficulties however the invited German development teams of Phikipp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER at the end of the rankings. Buhl had the upper hand in the direct duel of these teams. All results and the report of the day.

Round Robin one has almost been completed at the French Women's Match Racing Championship on day one of the event. As expected, Lucy McGregor GBR is the clear leader with a 7-0 score ahead of Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED, 6-1, and Stephanie Roble USA, 6-2. The results, the report and the event-website.

69 A-Cats started to the French A-Cat Champions in the Bay of Hyères over the past weekend. Five races were completed, partially in a strong Mistral breeze. Overall winner was Bob Baier GER ahead of Chris Field GBR and Eugenio Calabria ITA. But the most spectacular appearance was Mischa Heemskerk NED, who finally got his A-Cat equipped with foils thru the measurement control. Inspite of the modifications asked for by the measurers, he succeeded to make his A-Cat fly. He won the last two races and finished 6th overall. The results and the report.

Today begins the first Act of the 2013 World Match Race Tour - reduced to six events - on Lake Constance. The wind forecast announces mostly light winds, a special challenge with the rather heavy Bavaria 40S requiring smooth steering under the given conditions. The entry list contains most of the top matchracers such as Ian Williams GBR, Björn Hansen SWE, Adam Minorpio NZL or Mathieu Richard FRA. Two young German helmsmen - Philipp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER - have been invited as well. The latest Communiqué.

Today is the first day of the French Women Match Racing Championship at the Breton North Coast. Key favorite is Lucy McGregor GBR, the nbr 4 of the World Ranking list. Julie Brossard FRA, nbr 10, and Alexa Bezel SUI, nbr 14, are the next ISAF ranked participants. The Championship will take place on Elliotts 6, the former Olympic women's matchrace boat. The entry list and the event-website.

Over the past weekend, the ISAF Council and the Events Committee met in Copenhagen for the 2013 Midyear Meeting of the International Sailing Federation. The Agenda of the Meeting, led for the first time by the new President Carlo Croce ITA were mostly ISAF internal house-keeping items. The structure of the Organisation, number of Committees and the decision-making proces shall be improved in the future. Communication and an improved media approaches shall help to make sailing, especially the Olympic Classes Worldcup, a recognised product to sell our sport. This is high time in our opinion, as the confusing Olympic events policy and the race format experiments far from the real needs of the sport have done much harm to Olympic sailing, and the decreasing participation in major events with classes not racing due to lack of entrants this confirms this, ... impossible in other Olympic sports ! Time will tell whether the President's report will revitalise ISAF.

No change on top of the Match Race World Rankings: Ian Williams GBR and Claire Leroy FRA stay on rank 1. While the Open Ranking remain quite stable - Taylor Canfield ISV remains 5th -, there are major changes in the women's rankings, as the retired 2012 Olympic Games campaigners disappear more and more in the classifications. The long-time nbr 1 Anna Tunnicliffe is now on 3rd. The ISAF report.

The first event of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour, taking place over the Whitsun weekend off Langenargen/Lake Constance, begins today with the free training sessions. And again this year, the defending champion Ian Williams is the major favorite for the title. Among the participants on the entry list are the former Tour winners Adam Minoprio NZL and Matthieu Richard FRA. The official preview.

The Garda Olympic Week ended yesterday with the Medal Races, sailed in a moderate 10 to 14 kn breeze. The new format carries the total result of the Qualification and Final Series forward to the results of the short Medal Races. No wonder, that in some classes major throw overs happened such as in the 49ers - the only ones with three Medal Races - where Markus Hansen/Josh Porebski NZL climbed on top with constant race results ahead of Frei/Rocherieux FRA and Angilella/Zucchetti ITA. The clear dominators of the week Delle-Karth/Resch AUT had to content themselves with rank 4. An Austrian triumph was to note however in the Nacra 17 with Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT in front of Waterhouse/Darmanin NZL and Bissaro/Sicouri ITA. While Damian Rijsselberge NED defended his first place in the RS:X male windsurfers, the day was disappointing for Byrony Shaw GBR in the RS:X women who was overtaken by Flavia Tartaglini ITA, the winner of the Medal Race. Farrah Hall USA, the only NorAm participant in one of the Medal Races, is on rank 6 of the female windsurfers. Change also on top of the 470 women where Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL moved on top ahead of Tina Mrak/Veronica Macarol SLO on the last day. No problem to hold their lead had Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men, adding another race win in the Medal Race. Ed Wright remained first in the Finns followed by Ivan Klijakovic CRO and Piotr Kula POL. The videos of the Medal Races and the event-website.

A solid 12-14 kn Ora breeze prevailed for the Laser Medal Races at the Garda Olympic Week. The new results format carries the total result after the Qualification and Final Series as one result forward to the Medal Race rankings.
Annalise Murphy IRL (who did not even make the Goldfleet in Hyères due to the prevailing light wind) left no doubt about her class her and clearly stayed on top with another race win in the Medal Race of the Lasers Radial ahead of Tuula Tenkanen FIN and Tina Mihelic CRO.
A big throw over however happened in the Lasers Standard, where the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS, outstanding dominator during the whole week, lost all on the last ('casino') day and finished on rank 5 ! Andy Maloney NZL took rank 1 followed by Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Ryan Palk AUS. The videos of the Medal Races and the report.

Four race wins on the last day lifted Damian Suri SUI on top of the Optimist rankings at the Dutch Youth Regatta - at the same time the Netherlands Optimist Championship - attended by 406 sailors from 15 nations. At equal points on rank 2 follows Scipio Houtman NED, Lennert Steelandt BEL is on 3rd. The best girl Esmée Van Drielen NED is 7th. Justin Vittecoq CAN is 44th. The results. Winner in the younger Benjamin Optimists is Yigit Citak TUR ahead of Alvaro Valido ESP and Valentin Müller GER. 117 participants. Another Swiss victory is to note in the Lasers 4.7 with David Biedermann SUI. Quentin Swaelen BEL and Timo Gruis NED follow on the ranks 2 and 3. In the Lasers Radial, Van Aanholt, a famous name of Laser Sailing in the late 70s of the last Century, is showing up again with Just Van Aanholt AHO as winner. 43 participants from 4 nations. All other results - 10 youth classes in total particpated - and the event-website.

Round two of the Melges 32 European Series ended yesterday on Elba ITA with three more races. Winner in this owner-driven class was Lanfranco Cirillio ITA with Michele Paoletti ITA as tactician. Edoardo Lupi/Pietro Sibello ITA and Andrea Pozzi/Lorenzo Bressani ITA are on the positions 2 and 3. Edoardo Pavesio ITA/Chris Rast USA, follows on position 5, ahead of a number of prominent tacticians such Vasco Vascotto ITA, Hamish Pepper NZL or Mark Mendelblatt USA. The report and the results.

The Final Series of the Garda Olympic Week were concluded yesterday in a Northerly breeze with up to four races by class. As from today, the Medal Races of the best 6-8 boats per class are on the program. With a 15 points' advance, Ed Wright GBR will not let fade away the victory in the Finns. Deniss Karpak EST and Ivan Klijakovic CRO follow on the ranks 2 and 3. Even more predominant were Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men. Barreiros/Curbelo ESP are already 26 points behind. Gerz/Follmann GER progressed on rank 3. Closer is however the situation in the 470 women, where Tina Mrak/Veroca Macarol SLO are now only one point ahead of Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL, the winners of two races yesterday. The outcome in the 49ers seems to be clear as well. Delle-Karth/Resch AUT are 21 points ahead of Januszewski/Nowak POL. Tight is the situation in the Nacras 17 with Thomas Cajak/Tanja Frank AUT only one point in front of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL. Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED in the RS:X male windsurfers and Byrony Shaw GBR in the RS:X women can also start to the Medal Races very relaxed with the results on their accounts up to now. The report of the day, all results and the videos.

Tom Burton AUS starts to today's Medal Races with a five points' advance in the Lasers Standard and only Tonci Stipanovic CRO could replace the World nbr 1 on rank 1 today. New on rank 3 is Ryan Palk AUS closely followed by Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Andy Maloney NZL fighting for the podium today.
Very close also the gaps between the top sailors in the Lasers Radial, where Annalise Murphy IRL defended her lead inspite of a medium day. But Tina Mihelic CRO is now only 4 points behind and also Tuula Tenkanen FIN as 3rd has still her chances to win the regatta.
The daily report, all results and the video of the day.

The four Access single handers were on the water yesterday in rain and light winds. In the Access 303, Carlos Araujo ESP leads with just one point ahead of Gilles Guyon FRA. Lindsay Burns GBR is the clear leader in the Access 2.3, while Gérard Eychenne FRA is on top of the Liberty's. All other ranking lists, the event-website and the video of the day.

Five races have been completed on the first two days of the Melges 32 European Series. Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti ITA are the leaders ahead of Filippo Pacinotti ITA/Nathan Wilmot AUS. Edoardo Pavesio ITA/Chris Rast USA/SUI follow on rank 5 of the 21 teams. The results and the daily report.

Rain prevented the Ora from filling in on Lake Garda and only the Finns and Nacra-17 catamarans at Malcesine a couple of miles farther South down the lake were able to complete some races.
Ed Wright GBR took the lead in the Finns with the day ranks 2/2/9 followed by Filippo Baldessari ITA and Deniss Karpak EST. Gordon Lamphere USA is now 8 places up on rank 26. The Nacra-17 even sailed four heats and Thomas Cajak/Tanja Frank AUT moved on top of the rankings, in front of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL at 5 points on rank 2. Federica Salva/Francesco Bianchi ITA follow on rank 3. The weather outlook for today is improving and hopefully all classes will be able to sail according to program. All results, the video of the day and the event-website.

Rain prevented yesterday racing for the Laser fleets and after the 6 Qualification Series heats, the competition will continue today with the Final Series in Gold- and Silverfleets.
Tom Burton AUS leads in the Lasers Standard 3 points ahead of Tonci Stipanovic CRO. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA follows on rank 3. Not sailing in the Goldfleet is the superstar Robert Scheidt BRA, who - after his convincing comeback in Hyères - left Lake Garda prematurely after day one. In the Lasers Radial, it was the Weymouth 4th-ranked Olympian Annalise Murphy IRL who confirmed her fresh wind skills winning all 4 heats. She holds the lead 10 points ahead of Tuula Tenkanen FIN. The event-website.

The Olympic Week continued yesterday in a well established Ora filling in with up to 16 kn in the afternoon. The Finnswere already out off Malcesine in the morning in the North wind and Giorgio Poggi ITA took the lead after the first races ahead of Deniss Karpak ESTand Michael Maier CZE. Ed Wright GBR moved up on rank 4. Gordon Lamphere USA is 34th. A class of their own remained Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men. They are already 14 points in front of Gulic/Nevecny SLO. Crawford/Crawford AUS remain on rank 3 of the 29 teams. In the 470 women, Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol SLO stay on top but the best of the day Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL closed the gap to two points. Progressing is also the Olympic Champion 2008 Elise Rechichi AUS with her new crew Sarah Cook AUS now on rank 6 overall after the day ranks 1 and 2. In the 49ers are Delle-Karth/Resch AUT clearly on top. Januczewski/Nowak POL are now 2nd. Gemma Jones/Jason Waterhouse NZL took the lead in the Nacra-17 with two bullets. Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT follow on rank 2. Dominator in the windsurfers are Dorian van Rijsselberge NED in the men and Byrony Shaw GBR in the women. Carson Crane USA is on rank 20 RS:X men, Farrah Hall is 5th in the small RS:X women fleet. The report of the day, all ranking lists and the video of the day.

The Ora, the classic thermal South wind on Lake Garda filled in with up to 16 kn in the afternoon, and both Laser fleets completed three races. Booking three bullets, Annalise Murphy IRL is the clear leader in the Lasers Radial. Tuula Tenkanen FIN on rank 2 is already 10 points behind. Tina Mihelic CRO is now 3rd. Tatjana Droszdovskaja BLR advanced on the 4th place. Isabella Bertold CAN now 6th is on her way up after an ocs in race 1.
Close together are, however, the top boats in the Lasers Standard: Tom Burton AUS remains in the lead, but Tonci Stipanovic CRO is only 2 points back. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA - two bullets yesterday - and Daniel Mihelic CRO share rank 3. Best of the 5 CAN Lasers ist David Wright on rank 17.
All ranking lists, the daily report and the video of the day.

The breeze was not good enough on the last day of the first Slalom Worldcup 2013 to terminate the fourth elimination round. Alberto Menegatti ITA gained his first Worldcup title in his career ahead of the multiple World Champion Antoine Albeau FRA. Karin Jaggi SUI added in Ulsan KOR another Worldcup victory to her immense palmares ahead Delphine Cousin FRA. All other details on the PWA-website.

Very light winds prevailed on Lake Constance on the first day of the Access- and Skud-18-Europeans. In the morning, the single-hander Access 303, Access 2.3
and die Access Liberty sailed a race each, in the afternoon, the breeze was not strong enough for the first races of the two-person Skud-18 and Access 303. Lindsay Burns GBR was the winner in the (Access 203), Gérard Eychenne FRA in the (Liberty) and an Zoltan Pegan HUN in the (Access 303 Single). The daily report and the video of the day.

Only one race was sailed by the Finns off Malcesine while the other classes at tje upperside of Lake Garda completed 3 to 4 heats, partly with surprising results. Filippo Baldessari ITA was the winner of the only Finn race ahead of Deniss Karpak EST, while the top favorite Ivan Kljiakovic CRO began the event with a premature start. In the 470 men, Fantela/Marencic CRO are in the lead with two race wins in three races ahead of Mikulin/Bozic SLO and Crawford/Crawford AUS. In the small 470 women fleet, the leaders are Mrak/Macarol SLO while the Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL are only 5th after a disqualifcation. In the 49ers, Warrer/Lang DEN are in front of Delle-Karth/Resch AUT and Hansen/Porebski NZL. Federica Salva/Francesco Bianchi ITA are the leaders in the 20 boats' Nacra-17 fleet ahead of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL On top of the windsurfers are the Olympic Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED in the men's category and Byrony Shaw GBR in the women's category. The event-website.

The Lasers sailed three races each at the Lake Garda Olympic Week with the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS taking the oveall lead in the Laser Standard with the day ranks 2/1/6, followed by Daniel Mihelic CRO and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA. Andy Maloney NZL, another favorite, is on position 4. Robert Scheidt BRA, had a bad first day and is only on rank 20 among the 103 participants from 29 nations.
Tuula Tenkanen FIN leads the ranking in the Lasers Radial, followed by Tina Mihelic CRO and Annalise Murphy IRL. The World nbr 1 Tatjana Drosdovskaya BLR is on rank 5 of the 46 paricipants from 20 nations.The event-website.

The gradient wind enhanced the seabreeze and created perfect conditions in South Korea yesterday, allowing to sail two complete eliminations during eight hours for men and women. Alberto Menegatti ITA defended his lead in the men's category but the World Champion Antoine Albeau FRA advancing on rank 2 reduced the points' gap with the day ranks 1and 3. In the women's, Karin Jaggi SUI stays on top with the day ranks 1 and 2. Report, video and results as always on the PWA-website.

Today begins the 'Garda Trentino Olympic Week' on Lake Garda, the first event of the 'EUROSAF Championship Sailing Cup', a series of non-Worldcup Olympic Classes regattas in Europe. With 122 participants from 33 nations, the Laser Standard fleet has an excellent attendance with the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS, the Olympic Bronze medalist Pavlos Kontides CYP or Philipp Buhl GER as favorites. In the 470s, the winners of the Italian 470 men Championship of last week, Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI will meet a strong international competition with the past World Champions Fantela/Marencic CRO, the German Olympians Gerz/Follmann GER and four French teams.. In the Lasers Radial the Worldcup leaders Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR and Isabelle Bertold CAN as well as the Olympia-forth Annalise Murphy IRL are the favorites. All entry lists and the event-website.

After a break due to an injury, the Swiss Olympians Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI completed on Lake Garda their first 470 regatta of this year. The Italian 470 Championship of the past weekend was meant to be a first test and tune-up for the 'Olympic Garda' event beginning next Wednesday ... and ended with a victory after six races. Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion FRA finished 2nd, Capurro/Puppo ITA 3rd. The Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL are on rank 5. 29 participants. The ranking list, the pictures and the video.

The best sailing conditions of the Extreme Sailing Series Act 3 prevailed yesterday and 9 races could be sailed in a breeze around 12 kn with the last heat awarding double points. 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA finished first in this last race, but Leigh McMillan GBR on 'The Wave - Muscat' succeeded to defend the overall lead with a 2 points' advantage winning the Qingdao regatta. 'SAP Extreme Sailing Team' had an excellent last day and advanced on rank 3. 'Alinghi' stays on top of the annual rankings. The ranking lists, the report and the videos.

Men and women sailed a complete round at the PWA Slalom Competition in Ulsan KOR in good sailing conditions. In the men's category, the favorites Antoine Albeau FRA and Björn Dunkerbeck SUI were eliminated with equipment damage, leaving the first places to Alberto Menegattî ITA 1st and Antoine Questel FRA 2nd. Winner in the women's category was Karin Jaggi SUI ahead of Delphine Cousin FRA. The PWA-Website with video, report and ranking lists.

The last meters of the last race decided on the overall winner of the RC44 Series on Sicily ITA: Chris Bake GBR/Cameron Appleton NZL ('Team Aqua') succeeded to gain the necessary two ranks to take the overall victory just before the finish line, leaving Igor Lah SLO/Michele Ivaldi ITA ('Cereef') on rank 2. 'Katusha' with Steve Howe/Andy Horton USA remained 3rd. The report.

As a tune-up to the 'Olympic Garda' Regatta beginning next Wednesday, the 470 Class is running the Italian Championship off Riva ITA. Three races were already sailed in a well-established 'Ora' breeze by the 29 boats' fleet from 6 nations yesterday. James Turner/Carl Evans NZL are on top ahead of Matteo Capurro/Matteo Puppo ITA and Barreiros/Curbelo ESP. The Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL follow on rank 4. The results.

The Sicilian RC44 Act of the 2013 Championship Series continued yesterday with three races sailed in a moderate 12-14 kn breeze. The new leader is SLO on 'Cereef' (tactics Guiseppe Ivaldi ITA) ahead of 'Team Aqua' with Chris Bake GBR (tactics Cameron Appleton NZL) and 'Katusha' mit Steve Howe USA (Tacticsk Andy Horton USA) on the ranks 2 and 3. Considering the small gaps between the boats, nothing is decided yet. The report.

Finishing third in the final race of the 5o5 Worlds, Claas Lehman/Leon Oehme GER crowned their over 30 years career in the Class with their first World Champion's title. Boehm/Roos GER 2 points behind took Silver, the defending Champions Hunger/Jess GER had to content themselves with rank 3. Holt/Smit USA did not reach the podium inspite of a first place in the last race. The report, the final ranking list and the video highlights.

No luck with weather and wind on Sicily for the 30 participants of the Moth Europeans. After the excessive breeze at the beginning of the Championship, keeping the Moths ashore, the wind had disappeared yesterday and no races were possible. The defending Champion Chris Rashley GBR, ranks 1/1/2 is on top after the only 3 heats completed so far in this regatta dominated by the British. The www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151370602121701&set=a.433143116700.223241.690751700&type=1&theater]results[/URL].

Act 3 of the Extreme Sailing Series continued yesterday with 8 short 'stadium' races inside the Qingdao harbour. Leigh McMillan GBR, best of the day on his 'The Wave Muscat', reduced the points gap on the leader 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA to three points. Less successful was the former 2nd 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI, dropping from rank 2 to 6. The gaps between the boats are still very small and nothing has been decided yet. The report and the ranking list.

Round 2 of the Italian Melges 32 circuit began yesterday off Scarlino ITA in sunshine, warm temperatures and an 8-12 kn breeze, and three races were completed. Leader after day one is Matteo Balestrero ITA and his team, one point ahead of Gianluca Perego ITA on 2nd and Tonu Toniste EST, Olympic medalist 1996, on 3rd. The best Swiss Sacha De Micheli SUI follows on rank 15 of the 24 teams from 10 nations. The report with results.

Ideal conditions for the overpowered RC44s prevailed yesterday with a moderate 12-14 kn breeze. Three fleetraces were sailed and the new leader now is Chris Bake GBR with his 'Team Aqua', 2 points ahead of 'Cereef' of Igor Lah SLO. The report and the results.

The races nbr 7 and 8 were preliminary decisions for the 5o5 Worlds title with the fact, that the Champion will be German again. Who among the top-three is still open. Boehm/Roos GER lead two points ahead of Lehmann/Oehme GER and Hunger/Jess GER five points behind rank 1. The fourth-ranked Holt/Smit USA have a backlog of 15 points already. The results and the report.

The slackening wind allowed only one race to be sailed yesterday by the 32 participants. In the breeze around 8 kn, the Brits were even more impressive as on the previous day. Their Moths have larger foils letting them lift easier, and the weight of the pilots was important as well to start flying in these light airs. The defending Champion Chris Rashley GBR finished 2nd and kept his interims lead, but the winner of the day Michael Lennon GBR is only two points behind. Ben Patton GBR ist 3rd. The best non-Brit is now Morgan Good BEL on rank 6. Chris Rast USA remained on ranks 9.The rankings and the report.

The Springtime Championship on Lake Garda continued yesterday with a North wind race in the morning and two light-wind 'Ora' heats. Dominating are the Dutch occupying the first five positions in the overall rankings. The new leader are Robert-Jan Kentgens NED and his team, 4 points ahead of Tom Otte NED. Last year's winner Jamin Maarten NED follows on 3rd. The results and the report.

Light winds prevailed yesterday in Qingdao, the 2008 Olympic city, on day one of the 3rd Act of the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series. As always, the event started with longer races on the 'Open-Sea', and as from today, Stadium racing in the harbour will begin. The two Swiss teams mastered the light-wind conditions the best. 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA steering took the lead after 4 races ahead of 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI. 'The Wave Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR is 3rd. The report and the rankings.

Moderate winds prevailed yesterday for the fleetraces at the RC44-Championship Series on Sicily. Four races were sailed and 'Ceeref' of Igor Lah SLO with Michele Ivaldi ITA as tactician took the lead ahead of 'Synergy' of Valentin Zavadnikhov RUS with Ed Baird USA calling the shots. The report and the results.

After the lay day, the 5o5 Worlds are now in its crucial second phase. Two races were sailed yesterday, and today, two more heats are on the program before the final race on Friday. The day's best Böhm/Roos GER, rank 2 and 5, reclaimed the first place, but the defending champions Hunger/Jess GER are only 4 points behind. Holt/Smit USA remain on rank 3. The rankings and the report.

Finally the Scirocco calmed sufficiently to begin racing yesterday at the Moth Europeans off Marsala ITA, but the shift and unconstant 12 - 14 kn breeze made it very difficult for the competitors. The defending champion Chris Rashley GBR mastered these conditions the best and booked two race wins. The British dominance continues with Michael Lennon GBR, Ben Paton GBR and Tom Offer GBR on the positions 2 to 4. The first non-English is Matthias Renker SUI on rank 5. Chris Rast USA is 7th. 35 participants sailing. The report (PDF) with top ranks.

The Springtime Championship of the Ynglings on Lake Garda began yesterday with a first race. Tom Otte NED and his team were the winners followed by Patrick Haag/Peter Newel/Thomas Grueble SUI and Klaus Diem AUT and his team. 30 teams from 6 nations. The results.

At Trapani ITA, 20 kilometer North of the Moth-Europeans, the RC44 have been fighting with the same unconstant South wind during the opening day, as usual dedicated to matchracing. Andy Horton USA, tactician on the Russian 'Katusha' and steering the boat while matchracing, controlled the situation winning all 4 duels
sailed without losses, as already done in Dubai. The report.

The 69 teams at the 5o5 Worlds 2013 on the Barbados had their lay day yesterday. As from today, 6 more teams from the US West Coast, whose boats arrived late, will join the Championship. The video of the day reports on the heavy tropical rain of Monday preventing racing, as well as details on the comprehensive GPS tracking used at this Championship. Today at 13 hrs local time (19 h CET), the start will be given to the 5th race, that can be followed live on the Internet. First after 4 races are Lehmann/Oehme GER two points ahead of Boehm/Roos GER. Holt/Smit USA and Hunger/Jess GER are only one point behind on the ranks 3 and 4. The results.

Another day with a 30 kn plus Sirocco at the Western Coast of Sicily and the start to the first race of the Moth Europeans had to be postponed again. For today, the wind forecast should be ideal with a 10 - 14 kn breeze and racing will most probably begin. Some participants dared to go afloat anyhow yesterday to attack the speed record established by Chris Rast SUI/USA some days ago, but this with no success. The event-website with a report in Italian and the Communiqué in English.

After the position papers of the International Sailing Federtion ISAF and the International Laser Class Association ILCA regarding the accusations of the Laser designer Bruce Kirby CAN, the Canadian answered with the official lawsuit lodged at the Conneticut USA Court against a number of manufacturers, ISAF and ILCA. Here the original text. ISAF and ILCA - here the statement of the Laser Class - are of the opinion, that the patent rights of Kirby have expired since a long time. The objective of some modifications in the agreements is to protect the future of this most popular Olympic class. The Governing Body and the Class informed very reluctantly so far because of legal reasons. The case will be thoroughly discussed at the forthcoming ISAF Midyear-Meeting next week.

A tropical downpour without wind prevented the start of the planned 5th regatta of the 5o5 Worlds on the Barbados. The 69 teams used this break to study the race analysis provided by the event sponsor SAP in detail; here the video. Today Tuesday is lay day, on Wednesday racing continues. Up to now, the German teams set the pace with Lehmann/Oehme GER leading ahead of Böhm/Roos GER and Holt/Smit USA after 4 races. The defending Champion Hunger/Jess GER follow on rank 4. The results and the report.

No start to the first race at the Moth European Championship yesterday as the breeze filled in with 35 kn and gusts of almost 50 kn. As we reported yesterday, Chris Rast SUI/USA established a new inofficial Moth World Speed Record of 32,2 kn during the training days. Here now the respective video. The event-website.

The updated ISAF World Ranking Lists after last week's Hyères Worldcup have just been published. With the new ranking formula and only a few races considered in the new classes 49erFX and Nacra 17, a number of position changes happened. Thanks to the Hyères victories, Alexandra Malones/Molly Meech NZL, 49erFX, and Byrony Shaw GBR, RS:X women windsurfers took the lead. New on top of the Nacra-17-catamarans are Billy Besson/Marie Riou FRA. Federico and Arturo Alonso ESP climbed on rank 1 of the 49ers.
A remarkable number of NorAm teams rank in the top-10, i.e. Caleb Paine USA 2nd Finn, Greg Douglas CAN 8th Finn, Haeger/Provancha USA 4th 470 women, MacNay/Hughes USA 9th 470 men, Strammer/Brown USA 7th 49er, Lane/Neville USA 8th 49erFX, Charlie Buckingham USA 5th Laser Standard, Isabella Bertold CAN 2nd Laser Radial, Newburry/Casey USA 5th Nacra-17,
The leading sailing nation remains Australia with three number one rankings. The USA and Canada are 11th nations with one 2nd-ranked sailor each. All ranking lists and the ISAF report.

The light and unconstant winds of the Medal Race day at the Hyères World Cup Regatta made Olympic sailing once more a Casino lottery, as in a number of classes, the rankings were overthrown and athletes appeared on top that have never impressed during the whole week. More and more prominent critics openly speak up, such as the past-President Paul Henderson CAN (the Prez closest to the Olympic sailing circuit), Victor Kovalenkov AUS (uncontested the best coach at present) and now the most decorated sailor (5x Olympic and 8x Worlds medals) Robert Scheidt BRA in a video-interview.
The names of the 'destroyers' of Olympic sailing at ISAF proposing this unfair format remain unknown. There is no evidence, that the IOC has asked to cripple our sport in such a way. Sailing is not in danger at the Olympics with one of the highest nations' participations. Sailing is not expensive at the Games as well planned marinas are mostly a profitable legacy, contrary to the Stadiums for Athletic and Swimming that remain costly to maintain. Sailing is not a TV sport, whatever we do; the Internet with live tracking is the way to go and the IOC can base their marketing on this medium as well. The most important objective of the IOC is that the sport at the Games be represented as it is practiced world-wide. No artificial show ! The Olympic class selection is already far away of this objective and now the format splits the sport even more in the direction of a meaningless circus hardly understandable for non-specialists.

Two races were sailed on day 2 of the 5o5 Worlds on Barbados, and the German teams continue with their domination. Class Lehmann/Leon Oehme GER are the new leaders 2 points ahead of Stefan Boehm/Gerald Roos GER thanks to a race win and the discard result in effect. On the ranks 3 and 4 follow the best of the day (ranks 2/3) Holt/Smith USA and the defending champion Hunger/Jess GER. 69 teams from 9 nations participate. The ranking list, the videos and the event-website.

The Hyères Worldcup Regatta ended yesterday with the Medal Races in a light wind and rain. The changed weather and the new regatta format putting all emphasis of the event on the final day caused partly for some major changes on top of the ranking.
The outstanding Matthew Belcher/Will Ryan AUS won both Medal Races in the 470 men also in these conditions and took the overall win with a huge advance on Bouvet/Mion FRA and Calabrese/Delafuente ARG jumping on rank 3 on the final day. No change on top of the 470 women, but the leaders during most of the week, Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan BRA, were only one point ahead of Camille Lecointre/Mathilde Geron FRA at the end. Weguelin/McIntyre GBR finished 3rd. The top American performance at Hyères was the 4th place of Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha in the 470 women. A leader change happened in the Nacras 17, where Tim Shuwalow/Hanna Klinga SWE closed the gap to Billy Besson/Marie Riou FRA and took the overall win thanks to the results in the two Medal Races. Matias Buhler/Nathalie Brugger SUI finished 3rd 9 points behind the leading duo. Winner of the English duel on top of the Finns was Andrew Mills GBR replacing Giles Scott GBR on rank 1. Josh Junior NZL took Bronze. A second 2013 Worldcup win after Melbourne went to Alex Maloney/Molly Meech AUS in the women's 49erFX skiff in front of Dobson/Rook GBR and Bekkering/Blom NED. The winners of two of the three Medal Races Leonie Meyer/Caroline Vandame GER advanced on rank 4; the podium was too far away. Dylan Fletcher/Alain Sign GBR were first in the 49ers ahead of Evans/Powys GBR and Paz/Paz ESP. Winning both Medal Races brought Przmyslav Miarczynski POL on rank 1 of the RS:X men windsurfers ahead of Piotr Myska POL and Julien Bontemps FRA. Bryony Shaw GBR defended her lead in the RS:X women windsurfers ahead of Blanca Manchon ESP and Charline Picon FRA, who lost all chances for victory with a premature start. The event-website with all results, the final report and the videos. Comments on the performance of the US Sailing Team can be found on their website.

The light and unconstant wind helped to change the situation on top of the Lasers Standard where the World nbr on Tom Burton AUS passed his two direct opponents moving on top thanks to the outcome of the two Medal Races. Robert Scheidt BRA and Tonci Stipanovic CRO, finishing 8th and 9th in the day rankings, were not at ease and descended on the positions 2 and 3. Winner of both Medal Races was Daniel Mihelic CRO, advancing on rank 4.
The Olympic Silver medalist Marit Bouwmeester NED had a triumphal comeback to the World circuit in her first race after the 2012 Olympics. With the day ranks 1 and 2 not in her favorite conditions, she won the Laser Radial competition with a substantial lead. Tuula Tenkanen FIN and Allison Young GBR followed on the ranks 2 and 3. Isabella Bertold CAN finished 6th overall. The event-website with all results, the final report and the videos.

The 5o5 World Championship on the Barbados began yesterday with two races, dominated by the strong German teams finishing on the first three places. Stefan Böhm/gerals Roos GER are on top ahead of Lehmann/Oehme GER and Hunger/Jess GER. The results and the event-website.

Sun and a 25 - 30 kn breeze set a perfect stage on the second day of the PWA Freestyle Worldcup event on Lake Neusiedl. Unchallenged leader is José Gollito VEN winning both the Single- and the Double-Elimination. The PWA-website with reports and pictures.

The breeze yesterday was much less as forecast and the last races of the Final Series (FS) were sailed in a wind as light as 2 kn. Today, two or three short Medal Races of the best 10 (or 8) by class just in front of the harbour mole according to the new format are on the program. An 8 - 12 kn breeze has been predicted.
Annie Haeger / Briana Provancha USA are the only US team qualified for the Medal Races today. Starting the day on rank 3, they dropped on the 7th after her worst day in the FS (OCS/12). Bad day also for Sydney Bolger/Sarah Lihan USA on rank 13, dropping out of the top-10 with the day ranks 12 and 20. The Hyères Worldcup is over for all other NorAm teams except Isabella Bertold CAN, rank 5, who also will start in today's Medal Races. For details on the US Sailing Team performance, go to the team website.
Matthew Belcher/Ryan Palk AUS in the 470 men have a solid 16 points' lead on the tied Bouvet/Mion FRA and Leboucher/Le Berre FRA. Superior firsts in the 470 women are the winners of the Miami and Palma Worldcups Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan BRA. Lecointre/Geron FRA and Xiaoli/Xufeng CHN are the first chasers. Another overwhelming leaders are Alex Maloney/Molly Meech AUS in the 49ersFX ahead of Dobson/Rook GBR and Grael/Kunze BRA on the ranks 2 and 3. The 49ers remain tight until the Medal Race with Evans/Powys and Fletcher/Signs GBR at equal points. Morrison/Rhodes GBR on the 3rd place make the English dominance complete. More volatile is the situation on top of the Nacra 17 where Billy Besson/Marie Riou FRA are now just ahead of Shuwalow/Klinga SWE and Vaireaux/Audinet FRA. Dominance of the Brits also in the Finns where Giles Scott GBR leads 6 points ahead of Andrew Mills GBR. Pieter-Jan Postma NED is now 3rd - the report of the Finn Class. A close fight can also be expected in the RS:X men windsurfers between Ivan Pastor ESP one point in front of Louis Giard FRA and Piotr Myszka POL closely behind. In the RS:X women windsurfers turned the situation in favor of Charline Pico FRA extending her lead on Bryony Shaw GBE and Blanca Mancon ESP. All results and the report of the day.

The last Final Series crucial races for the selection of the 10 Medal Racers by class were - contrary to the wind forecasts - sailed in difficult light wind conditions.
In the Lasers Standard is Robert Scheidt BRA now where he wanted to be in his comeback race: on rank 1 three points ahead of the long-time leading Tonci Stipanovic CRO and five ahead of the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS. The Medal Races of today will decide who of this trio wins what Medal. Sailing the best result of the Series (rank 4) in the last race, Charlie Buckingham USA finished the competition on the 20th place overall. Erik Bowers USA is 69th.
An experienced trio is also fighting for the Medals in the Lasers Radial with Marit Bouwmeester NED one point ahead of Allison Young GBR and Tuula Tenkanen FIN three points behind the Dutch woman. The fourth-ranked Matilde de Kerangeat FRA is already 18 points after rank 3. Isabella Bertold CAN on rank 5 confirmed that she definitely has arrived among the best Radial sailors of the World.
All results, the report of the day and a video-interview with the impressive Robert Scheidt BRA, coming back on top of the class 9 years after his farewell. Scheidt is at least 15 years elder than his opponents !

The Hyères Paralympic Worldcup ended yesterday as always without Medal Races. Heiko Kröger GER was the winner in the last 2.4m race as well and is the clear overall winner ahead of Helena Lucas GBR and Megan Pascoe GBR. The winner of 2012 Damien Séguin FRA missed the podium by just 2 points. With a French victory by Bruno Jourdren/Eric Flageul/Nicolas Vimonte-Vicary FRA ended the Sonar competition, ahead of Jens Kroker GER and Alexander Wang-Hansen NOR. The final report.

Highsummer temperatures around 30°C prevailed yesterday on Lake Neusiedl, too much for the first PWA Freestyle Competition of the year, as the wind remained absent. The report.

The 15-20 kn East wind and big waves stayed on in the Bay of Hyères and all classes completed the scheduled Final races according to program.
The still prevailing Easterly - opposite direction of the Mistral - pushed the US team of Sydney Bolger and Sarah Lihan to another race win to put them into the Women's 470 top 10. They join their team mates Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha, who are in third overall. For more details on the performance of US athletes, visit the US Sailing Team website.
Really at ease in these conditions were Matias Bühler/Nathalie Brugger SUI, again the best of the day with the ranks 2/2/3 taking the overall lead in the Nacra 17 mixed catamaran 4 points ahead of Billy Besson/Marie Riou FRA. Tom Shuwalow/Hanna Klinga SWE are now 3rd. After a number of black-flag starts of the top group, it is Giles Scott GBR taking the lead in the Finns - the report of the Finn Class. Andrew Mills GBR on 2nd is 5 points behind. Josh Junior NZL and Pieter-Jan Postma NED tied on 3rd are 10 points back. Matthew Belcher/Ryan Will AUS added another race win and are, as expected, now on top of the 470 men. Leboucher/Le Berre FRA and Bouvet/Mion FRA follow at some distance on the ranks 2 and 3. Still clearly ahead in the 470 women are Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan BRA. Lecointre/Geron FRA advanced on rank 2, Haeger/Provancha USA follow on rank 3. The 49er leader group stays closely together with Paz/Paz ESP 1 point ahead of Fletcher/Sign GBR, while Heil/Plössel GER follow 3 points behind. No change on top of the 49ersFX with Charlotte Dobson/Mary Rook GBR leading in front of Alex Malones/Molly Meech NZL and Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze BRA reducing the backlog. Closely together are also Charline Picon FRA and Bryony Shaw GBR in the RS:X women windsurfers. Blanca Manchon ESP as 3rd is 8 points behind. A leader change happened in the RS:X men with Louis Giard FRA as first ahead of Prszmyslav Miarcyinski POL and Ivan Pastor ESP. All ranking lists and the report.
The last Final Series races today will again be sailed in a fresh Easterly according to the wind forecast. Tomorrow Saturday, the Medal Races are on the program.

The Lasers continued their Final Series yesterday in a 15 kn East wind with two races each.
New on top of the Lasers Radial is Marit Bouwmeester NED with excellent 1 and 2 rankings, 6 points ahead of Allison Young GBR and Tula Tenkanen FIN on the ranks 2 and 3. Isabella Bertold CAN is on rank 5. The Olympic Champion Lijia Xu CHN did not compete yesterday and dropped on position 19. The 4th-placed 2012 Olympian Annalise Murphy IRL, a big breeze specialist having missed the Goldfleet in the light-wind Qualification Series, has been the clear winner of all heats in the Silverfleet.
Still on top of the Lasers Standard is Tonci Stipanovic CRO ahead of the Brazilian duo, where Robert Scheidt BRA is now only one point behind the 2nd-ranked Bruno Fontes BRA. The World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS is thanks to a race win now on the 4th place overall. The best of the day Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA (ranks 2/5) moved up on the 5th place. Far away from a Medal Race place is Charlie Buckingham USA remaining on rank 23.
The last races of the Final Series today will be crucial for the compositon of the Medal Race fleets for Saturday. While the wind for today will be again in the range of 15-20 kn from the East, it will decrease for the Medal Races to 6-8 kn according to the forecast. Inspite of the clear structure of the actual ranking lists, nothing has been decided yet with the new regatta format. All ranking lists and the daily report.

Two races were sailed yesterday to conclude the 5o5 Pre-Worlds after just one race on Wednesday. Nothing changed on top of the rankings with Hamlin/Zinn USA winning ahead of Higgins/Marsh AUS, Bojsen-Möller/Bojsen-Möller DEN and Böhm/Roos GER on the ranks 2 to 4. 57 teams among the 77 World Championship entrants participated at least partly in the Pre-Worlds. The rankings. Tomorrow Saturday, the first two races of the World Championship are on the program. The event-website.

Perfect sailing conditions with a 15 to 20 kn East wind and a big swell prevailed yesterday in the Bay of Hyères. Team of the day in the Nacra 17 were Matias Bühler/Nathalie Brugger SUI advancing on rank 2 overall with the day ranks 1/3/9. Tim Shuwalow/Hanna Klinga SWE lead 3 points ahead of the Swiss. Billy Besson FRA/Marie Riou FRA follow on rank 3. No surprise was the crank up of the Olympic Champion Matthew Belcher AUS with his new crew Will Ryan AUS in these conditions winning the two 470 men races of the day and advancing on rank 2 overall behind Luke Patience/Joe Glanfield GBR who defended their lead. Pierre Leboucher/Nicola Le Berre FRA follow on rank 3. Solid is the performance of Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan BRA in the 470 women, keeping the lead 8 points ahead of Anne Haeger/Briana Provancha USA. Weguelin/McIntyre GBR and Lecointre/Geron FRA follow as 3rd with the same number of points. The new first in the Finns is Pieter-Jan Postma NED with Vasilji Zbogar SLO and Giles Scott GBR only one point behind. Small are the gaps also in the 49ers with Fletcher/Sign GBR 2 points ahead of d'Ortoli/Delpech FRA and Morrison/Rhodes GBR. Two of the three races in the 49er FX went in favor of Charlotte Dobson/Marx Rook BRA leading ahead of Maloney/Meet NZL and Grael/Kunze BRA at equal points. Ivan Pastor ESP defended his lead in the RS:X male windsurfers followed by the best of yesterday Louis Giard FRA. Julien Bontemps FRA is now 3rd. Same for Charline Picon FRA who remains 1st in the RS:X women in front of Byrony Shaw GBR and Flavia Tartaglini ITA on the ranks 2 and 3.
For all details on the US athletes, visit the pages of the US Sailing Team.
All ranking lists and the report.

Champagne sailing with a 4 - 5 bft breeze and sun prevailed on the first day of the Final Series, where the Lasers sailed two heats split in Gold- and Silverfleets. Tonci Stipanovic CRO defended the first place in the Lasers Standard with a race win inspite of a (discarded) black-flag disqualification. Bruno Fontes BRA and Robert Scheidt BRA follow on the ranks 2 and 3. Best of the day (2/2) was the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS - advancing on rank 8 - enjoying the fresher breeze after a tough Qualification Series with a 21 points' non-discardable Carry Forward result in the rankings. Charlie Buckingham USA is 20th, Erik Bowers USA 63rd.
Tuula Tenkanen FIN defended her lead in the Lasers Radial ahead of Marit Bouwmeester NED and Matilde de Kerangeat FRA. The best of the day Allison Young GBR (2/1) advanced on rank 4. Another day winner was Isabella Bertold CAN (1/9) advancing on rank 5 overall.
The daily report and all rankings.

No change in the 2.4m overall rankings after yesterdays' two races in well established 15 - 20 kn conditions. Heiko Kröger GER keeps the lead ahead of Megan Pascoe GBR and Helena Lucas GBR. Aleksander Wang-Hansen NOR and his team replaced the tied Bruno Jourdren FRA on top winning both races in the Sonars. The report of the day.

The 5o5 World Championship 2013 began yesterday as usual with the first race of a 6-heats' Pre-Worlds series. Winners of the day were Hamlin/Zinn USA, followed by Higgins/Marsh GBR and Böjsen Möller/Bojsen Möller DEN. The rankings and the event-website.

The Qualifying Series (QS) ended yesterday with two more light-wind races, and as from today, the Final Series (FS) will begin with the fleets split in a Gold and Silver. The total points of the QS will be carried forward as one result not to be excluded.
Finishing 1 and 2 yesterday, Tonci Stipanovic CRO demonstrated once more his light-wind skills in the Lasers Standard. Bruno Fontes BRA and Sam Meech NZL follow on the positions 2 and 3. Robert Scheidt BRA is on the 6th place, and it would not be a surprise, if he moved soon on top with the fresh beeze announced for today and tomorrow. Charlie Buckingham USA dived on rank 34, but remains in the Goldfleet. Erik Bowers USA is 64th.
In the Lasers Radial, it is Tuula Tenkanen FIN starting the FS with a first place carry forward result, followed by Mathilde de Kerangeat FRA and Marit Bouwmeester NED. Isabella Bertold CAN is 13th.
The report of the day, all results and the videos. See also the US Sailing Team report.

800 participants from 53 nation were ready at 11 a.m. CET for the first starts at the 4th and last 2013 Worldcup event at Hyères, but the wind was absent. Only during the afternoon, a light and unconstant breeze filled in, and most classes could complete their program according to schedule. Some light-weight newcomers took advantage of the special conditions and finished on surprisingly good ranks. However in most of the classes, the experienced teams are already in the lead of the interims rankings with the worst result discarded right from race one according to the new rules.
Highlight of the NorAm sailors is rank 3 of Annie Haeger/Briana Provancha in the 470 women, confirming their top performances in Europe so far. Remarkable also Charlie Buckingham's 11th place in the Lasers Standard. Isabella Bertold CAN stays on rank 16 in the Lasers Radial. Not at all at ease in the light-wind was Caleb Paine as 34th in the Finns. Best of the three 49ers were Strammer/Brown as 29th, while Lane/Neville were 19th in the new 49erFX women's skiff. Finally, Farrah Hall is 17th in the RS:X women. Details in the US Sailing Team Day 1 report.
And here the overview on the top rankings of all classes. Snow-Hanson/Willcox NZL, winning both races, lead in the 470er men after three races 4 points ahead of Bouvet/Mion FRA and Matsunaga/Yoshida JPN. Also two bullets in three races have Oliveira/Barbachan BRA in the 470 women, one points ahead of Vadlau/Ogar AUT. Haeger/Provancha USA and Lecointre/Geron FRA are tied on rank 3. The performance of the Finn sailors was quite diversing: Ed Wright GBR (ranks 17/11) leads ahead of Oliver Twedell AUS (1/22), Giorgio Poggi ITA (32/2) and Josh Junior NZL (2/7) - the report of the Finns. Two English teams are on top of the 49ers with Fletcher/Sign GBR and Evans/Powys GBR. Alonso/Alonso ESP and Heil/Plössel GER follow on the ranks 3 and 4. Victoria Jurczok/Anika Lorenz GER lead in the new women Olympic skiff 49erFX in front of Dobson/Rooks GBR and Peters/Groves GBR. The light wind yesterday, contrary to the big-breeze days at the Palma Worldcup, did not hinder the former matchracer Renée Groenveld with Karel Begemann NED in the new mixed Nacra 17 catamaran to take the lead ahead of Semeneov/Pankratieva RUS and Zajac/Frank AUT. A remarkable Olympic sailing premiere had the French Sailing-Superstar Franck Cammas FRA with the former Laser Radial Olympian Sophie De Turckheim FRA as crew, staying on rank 6 after the first race day. The RS:X male windsurfers have Julien Bontemps FRA leading ahead of Piotr Myszka POL and Ivan Pastor ESP, while Bryony Shaw GBR was the winner of the only race of the RS:X female windsurfers ahead of Eugenie Ricard FRA and Charline Picon FRA. All ranking lists and the report.

Leader after three races in the Lasers Standard is the light-wind specialist Tonci Stipanovic CRO with the day ranks 8/1/1 followed by four athletes - Bruno Fontes BRA, Giovanni Coccoluto ITA, James Espey IRL and the returnee Robert Scheidt BRA – on rank 2 with the same number of points. The dominators of the previous year's Worldcup Tom Burton AUS and Philipp Buhl GER follow on the ranks 8 and 9. The winner of the Palma Worldcup Andy Maloney NZL is 15th. Charlie Buckingham USA is 11th, Erik Bowers USA 69th. Pls note that the interims results are calculated with a discard result right after race two.
The Lasers Radial sailed two races, and Marie Bolou FRA and Tina Mihelic CRO are jointly holding the lead ahead of Caren Niezen NED and Lijia Xu CHN in her first race after the Olympic Gold 2012. Isabella Bertold CAN is 16th.
The qualification for Gold- and Silverfleets will be concluded already today, according to the new regatta format. Again, light winds have been announced for today according to the forecast. It might well be, that the 4th-ranked Olympian Annalise Murphy IRL, the big-breeze specialist of the class actually on rank 50, will not sail among the best in the Final, when the wind will be freshening to 25-30 kn on Wednesday. (A silly format as we commented earlier.) The report of the day.

The two Paralympic classes participanting in the Hyères Worldcup, the 2.4 mR and the Sonars, sailed two races yesterday. Leader in the Sonars is Udo Hessels NED with his team ahead of Jens Kroker GER and Bruno Jourdren FRA, in the 2.4m, Megan Pascoe GBR and Lasse Klötzing GER share the lead with one victory each. The report.

Today begins the traditional CIMA for the 420s in the Bay of Cannes with 75 teams from 6 nations, among them Singapore. Light winds between 6 and 8 kn have been announced for today, but as from tomorrow, an Easterly breeze around 20 kn can be expected. The event-website.

The fourth and last 2013 Worldcup Event began yesterday with the Practice Races sailed in the Bay of Hyères in a light wind. As from today 11 am. CET, the competition begins in a light wind (max. 6 kn) as well according to the wind forecast. Over 800 yachts from 53 nations participate in the 10 Olympic Classes. Here the not very informative official event-website and a preview from ISAF.

No more racing at the Charlestone Race Week yesterday, as the breeze freshened to almost 40 kn. The results after six heats become therefore final. 300 teams in 16 different classes participated. Among the winners were Tim Healy USA (J/70), Brad Boston USA (Viper 640), Alec Cutler USA (Melges 24), Michael Kiss USA (Melges 20) and Kris Werner USA (J/24). All other ranking lists, the final report and the videos.

Today, the practice races of the fourth and last ISAF Olympic World Cup Regatta, the French Olympic Week in the Bay of Hyères, will be sailed. With over 800 participants, this is the first event of this Olympic classes circuit with usual number of athletes. The continental weather change is apparent in the South of France as well. After a fresh 30 kn Westerly breeze in the Mistral direction yesterday - only a few boats were out for tune-ups - the wind has calmed during the night and is now around 5 and 10 kn in rather cold temperatures. As from Wednesday, the East wind with rain and up to 35 kn will fill in. The wind forecast and the event-website.

Moderate conditions prevailed yesterday in Charleston after the windy opening day, and all classes sailed again four races. Alec Cutler BER and his team are now on top in the Melges 24 US Championship replacing the former Moth World Champion Bora Gulari USA. Michael Kiss USA (tactics Chris Rast USA/SUI) won three of the four heats in the Melges 20, extending their lead on 10 points. New on rank 2 are Robert Hughes/Morgan Reeser USA, while Jeff Ecklund/Ed Baird USA dropped on rank 5. The tight duel on top in the largest class with 53 teams, the J/70s, between Tim Healy USA and two points back Peter Duncan USA continues. All other ranking lists and the report. Here also the video of day one and the video of yesterday, plus the Facebook-reports of Chris Rast.

Almost 300 teams in 18 classes participate this year in the Charleston Race Week, where four races by class in a challenging 20 to 26 kn breeze were sailed on the opening day. Excellent in quality and quantity (33 teams) is the fleet in the Melges 20: Mitchell Kiss USA with his 'Bacio' (tactics Chris Rast SUI/USA) is the leader with a 10 points' advance on Robert Wilber USA (taktics Anthony Kotoun USA) 2nd, Jeff Ecklund/Ed Baird USA 3rd and James Richardson/Terry Hutchinson USA 4th. The largest fleet with 57 boats are the J/70s. Tim Healy USA leads in front of Joel Ronning USA and Peter Duncan USA. In the Melges 24, who compete for the US Championship, Bora Gulari USA is on top ahead of Alec Cutler USA, All ranking lists and the report.

More and more teams start to fill the Bay of Hyères, especially teams from overseas coming directly from Palma ESP to the South of France for trainings and tune-ups. US Sailing has posted its preview yesterday.
The wind forecast predicts the Mistral filling in this afternoon with peaks of over 30 kn tomorrow, but afterwards, light winds will dominate, at least until next Thursday. Light-wind specialists will have their chances with new faces showing up, especially in the new Olympic classes 49erFX and Nacra17. The highest attention goes to the Laser Standard where the eight-times World Champion and five-times Olympic Medalist Robert Scheidt BRA will meet the world's top Laser sailors for the first time after 8 years' absence while dominating also the Starclass. The entry list and the event-website.

The ISAF Match Racing World Ranking Lists have been updated after the Grade-1 Congressional Cup. No changes in the men (Open-rankings), where Ian Williams GBR remains nbr 1 ahead of Björn Hansen SWE and Pierre-Antoine Morvan FRA. Taylor Canfield ISV is now World nbr 5, his best ranking to date.
In the women, a number of female matchracers campaigning for Olympia 2012 and no longer active are slowly dropping out of the rankings. Back again on the top position is Claire Leroy FRA. Anna Tunnicliffe USA, no longer active since August 2012, follows on rank 2, Ekaterina Skudina RUS is 3. The official ISAF report.

The 4th and last ISAF Olympic Classes Worldcup Event will begin next Sunday in Hyères FRA. Spring 2013 - delayed as in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere - has just started in the South of France, and much sun and warm temperatures are to be expected next week. But this means as well, that the breeze will be light, as the wind forecast foresees.
After the rather reduced participation in the three Worldcups completed so far- some classes could not even start due to the limited number of entries - , the Hyères Worldcup is again a reunion of almost all top sailors campaigning for Rio 2016. Lijia Xu CHN and Marit Bouwmeester NED in the Laser Radial e.g. are back for the first time since their medal successes in London, and in the Lasers Standard, the top-10 of the ISAF World Rankings are all present.
The North American representation is rather small. From the USA to be mentioned above all Haeger/Provancha, who started the European season exceptionally successful, and Bolger/Lihan in the 470 women, Charlie Buckingham and Erik Bowers in the Laser Standard, Brown/Strammer, Burd/Pesch and Funk/Aakshow in the 49er, Neville/Lane 49FX, Caleb Paine and Gordon Lamphere in the Finn. Farrah Hall RS:X women and Daniel Evans 2.4 mR. The US Sailing Website. Canada is represented by Isabella Bertold in the Laser Radial with excellent result this year and Laurence Bonneau-Charland in the RS:X women.
The official preview and all entry lists.

The ISAF Casebook is not only a valuable tool for Umpires and Juries, but also for regatta sailors wanting to groove their racing rules' skills. This document, re-edited every four years, treats over 100 cases and can be downloaded in pdf format or be ordered as hard-copy at ISAF.

The last race of the 470 Spring Cup at Cap d'Agde FRA was sailed in a fresh 16-20 kn breeze. Lucas Calabrese/Juan De la Fuente ARG were the clear winners extending their overall lead after 11 heats even further. Wagner/Baldewein GER and Snow-Hansen/Willcox NZL completed the podium. Anne Haeger/Briana Provancha USA, best women's team, finished on the excellent 5th position overall. The final rankings.

The very light wind allowed only one race on the last day of the Singapore Extreme Sailing Series, as usual awarding double points. 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson SUI steering was the winner confirming the superior performance during this event and taking the overall victory. 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI made it a Swiss 1 and 2 in the last heat, but missed the podiums by two points only. 'Red Bull Sailing Team' with Roman Hagara AUT and 'SAP Extreme Sailing Team' mit Jes Gram-Hansen DEN finished on the ranks 2 and 3. The dominator of the last season, 'The Wave - Muscat' with Leigh McMillan, had to content itself with rank 5. Overall after two acts in the Series are now 'Alinghi' and 'Red Bull' jointly on top of the rankings. The report, the ranking lists and the videos.

On the apparently difficult last day, Valetin Zavadinkov RUS/Tommaso Chieffi ITA on 'Synergy' defended their lead by a small margin winning the Gaeta Series one point ahead of Andrea Pozzi/Lorenzo Bressani ITA and their 'Bombarda'. Edoardo Pavesio ITA/Chris Rast USA/SUI on their 'Fra Martina' however dropped from rank 2 on rank 7. The report, the final rankings and the videos.

The Cap d'Agde 470 Spring Cup continued yesterday with two races sailed in a light wind. Unfortunately, the event website does not yet contain results this morning. Today, the final race of the Spring Cup will be sailed.

A surprising result at the ISAF-Grade-1 Congressional Cup yesterday in Long Beach CA. Simone Ferrarese ITA defeated the overwhelming favorite Ian Williams GBR with a 2-1 score in the semi-final and left also Ed Baird USA 1-0 behind. For Ed Baird, the Congressional Cup has been the first Match Race on a monohull since the America's Cup victory 2007 with Alinghi ! Winner of the Petite Final was Williams GBR 1-0 against Matthieu Richard FRA. The report.

The Dragon European Championship 2013 at Cascais ended yesterday with a last race sailed in a 8 kn breeze. With the discard result considered, the overall ranking suffered quite some changes on top. Winner of the day was Graham Bailey GBR, moving up on rank 6 as the best amateur. Inspite of a 19th race rank, Jose Matoso/Gustavo Lima/Frederico Melo POR regained the first place, winning the first Dragon title for Portugal. The defending champion Markus Wieser GER with his Ukrainian team finished 2nd yesterday and advance on rank 2 overall as well, while Jens Christensen DEN descended on rank 3. The final ranking list and the report.

Very light and unconstant winds prevail again on the third day of the Singapore Extreme Sailing Series, but nevertheless, 7 short races were completed. Two races went in favor of 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA steering, keeping the first position with a 26 points advantage on the new second-ranked Roman Hagara AUT and his 'Red Bull Sailing Team' before the last races today. Third are with the same number of points 'The Wave - Muscat' (Leigh McMillan GBR) and the surprise team of the day 'SAP Extreme Sailing' with Jes Gram-Hansen DEN. Even best of the day was Jerôme Clerc SUI and his 'Realteam' advancing on rank 5 overall with only a 10 points' backlog on the podium. The results and the daily report.

Three races were added yesterday at the Melges 32 Sailing Series off Gaeta ITA with three different winners: Lanfrancho Cirillo ITA, Roberto Tommasini AUT and Vincenzo Onorato ITA. The overall ranking did not change with 'Synergy', owner Valentin Zavadnikov RUS steering and Tomaso Chieffi ITA as tactician as first. Edoardo Pavesio ITA/Chris Rast SUI/USA on 'Fra Martina' are 2nd overall, Edoardo Lupi ITA/Branko Brcin CRO are the new 3rd. Roberto Tommasini AUT as usual sailing for Switzerland (tactician Vasco Vascotto ITA) follows on rank 11 of the 16 teams from 6 nations. The ranking list and the report.

Changes in the rankings happened in yesterday's races, sailed in a lighter 8-14 kn breeze. The London Olympic Bronze medalists Lucas Calabrese/Juan de la Fuente ARG extended their lead after the three races of the day. Their advantage on Wagner/Baldewein GER and Snow-Hanson/Willcox NZL before the last races today is now five points. The best team of the day and best women's team overall Anne Haeger/Briana Provancha USA (ranks 2 and 4) are now on positions 6. The results.

The light 8 kn breeze in the 6th race of the Dragon European Championship yesterday displeased the leader José Matosso POR (rank 26) and his team, and Jens Christensen DEN is now on the first place with a 3 points' advantage on the Portuguese. Ingo Ehrlicher/Werner Fritz/Thomas Auracher GER, only 6 points behind, remain in the fight for the title in the last race today as well. The report (Por.) and the ranking list.

In addition to the 2012 winner Ian Williams GBR (16-2), early qualifier after a brilliant Round Robin, there were Simone Ferrarese ITA (13-5), Ed Baird USA (12-6) and Matthieu Richard FRA (11-7) to qualify as well for the semi-finals. Williams GBR choose Ferrarese ITA as opponent, Ed Baird USA will meet Matthieu Richard FRA. With 3-15 wins, Eric Monnin SUI never was sailing up to his level. He will endeavour to quit the last overall place in the today's sail-offs. As consolation, he won the exhibition fleet race yesterday. The report with results and the video of the day.

Eleven races were sailedon the second day of the Singapore Extreme Sailing Series, the shortest one lasted only six minutes ! Morgan Larson USA steering the 'Alinghi' cat has taken the lead in the interims rankings, 12 points ahead of 'The Wave - Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR as 2nd and Roman Hagara AUT with the 'Red Bull Sailing Team' as 3rd. The report and the ranking list. No morning races today. The competition will resume by approx. 12 hrs CET to be followed live on the Internet.

The owner-driven Melges 32 opened the European season yesterday with two races off Gaeta ITA. The first leader is 'Synergy' (Zavadnikov RUS/Chieffi ITA) followed by 'Groovederci' (Demourkas/Mendelblatt USA) and 'Fra Martina' (Pavesio ITA/Chris Rast USA/SUI), both five points behind the leader. The report and the video of day one.

Difficult conditions yesterday at Cap d'Agde FRA with a shifty and puffy breeze of 12 to 15 kn from the shore. Jasper Wagner/Dustin Baldewein GER seemed to like this challenge winning both heats and closing up the gap to the new leader Lucas Calabrese/Juan De La Fuente ARG on one point. The backlog of the third-ranked Snow-Hanson/Willcox NZL is already 11 points. The best women's team Anne Haeger/Brian Provancha USA follow on rank 10. The results.

Two more races were sailed yesterday at the Dragon European Championship in Cascais in a sun and a 12 kn breeze. Winning a race, José Matoso POR with two Olympians - Gustavo Lima POR and Fernando Melo POR - as crew took the lead after the 5 races sailed so far. The best of the day (ranks 2 and 6) Jens Christensen DEN and his team is on the 2nd place points behind. Ingo Ehrlicher/Werner Fritz/Thomas Auracher GER follow on rank 3. The results and the report of the day (Port.).

Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series began yesterday just in front of the quays in downtown Singapore in a unconstant puffy breeze heavily disturbed by the skyskrapers around. Leigh McMillan GBR with his 'The Wave - Muscat' mastered these conditions the best and took the lead after 4 heats. Excellent show also by 'Alinghi', steered by the tactician Morgan Larson USA standing in for the absent Ernesto Bertarelli SUI as 2nd. The report.
Racing has resumed already this morning and can be followed live on the Internet. Winning two races today, 'Alinghi' is in the lead. 'The Wave Muscat' and 'GAC Pindar' with William Tiller NZL follow on the ranks 2 and 3. The results after 8 heats.

Three flights are left to conclude Round Robin 2, but this will not harm the superior Ian Williams GBR leading with a 14-1 score on his way to the semi-finals. The three other slots will be disputed among Simone Ferrarese ITA (11-4), Matthieu Richard FRA (10-5), Adam Minoprio NZL and Ed Baird USA (9-6 each). The report with results.

Hubert Merkelbach/Gerrit Bartelt GER, rank 2/1/3, had a perfect day yesterday and took the overall lead two points ahead of Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA, but also John McCausland/Phil Trinter USA still have chances for the title. Hornos/Morey USA and Niklaus SUI/Koy GER follow at equal points on the ranks 4 and 5. 21 participants from 9 nations. The results.

The 470 Spring Cup at Cap d'Agde began yesterday with three races sailed in an initial 6 kn wind, increasing to 15 kn during the races. First leaders are Francisco Succari/Francisco Renna ARG just one point ahead of the tied Wagner/Baldewein GER and Snow-Hansen/Willcox NZL. The best women's team Anne Haeger/Briana Provancha USA follows on rank 6. 27 teams from 13 nations and 5 continents. The results.

Special conditions prevailed also on day two of the Dragon European Championship off Cascais with a moderate 13 kn breeze and a big swell, favoring the local teams. Two races were sailed and the new leader is now Diogo Barros POR, 10 points ahead of the tied trio Vasiliy Senatorov RUS, José Matoso POR and Alexander Ezkhov RUS. The results and the illustrated daily report (in Por.).

Three races were sailed on the first day of the Starboat Western Hemisphere Championship on the Bahamas. No surprise that the teams dominating the Harry Knowles Series Tune-up Race are ahead in the interims rankings. Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA lead with a 5 points advantage ahead of Tomas Hornos/Edward Morey USA and Hubert Merkelbach/Gerrit Bartelt GER with the same number of points. 21 teams from 7 nations participate. The results after the first day.

A moderate 5-12 kn breeze and rather flat water prevailed yesterday for the continuation of the Congressional Cup Round Robin 1. A class of his own was the winner of 2012 Ian Williams GBR, who concluded the Round Robin with a 10-1 score. Ed Baird USA on rank 2 follows with a 8-3 result, while Simone Ferrarese ITA, Matthieu Richard FRA and Adam Minoprio NZL are at 7-4. The event website, with results and the day one video, as well as the report (PDF) with results in detail.

Our yesterday's report concerning the Tune-up Regatta to the Star Western Hemisphere Championship contained an erroneous ranking list. The organisers did not include the winner in the published results ! Once more, the veteran Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA was the overall winner two points ahead of McCausland/Trinter USA after three races. Jack Jennings/Brian Sharp USA are therefore 3rd, Michel Niklaus SUI/Markus Koy GER 4th. The corrected results.

A difficult circling 10 - 22 kn breeze prevailed yesterday instead of the normal seabreeze off Long Beach, but the experienced teams handled these conditions best inspite of the long competition pause. Ian Williams GBR and Matthieu Richard FRA lead in the Round Robin 1 with a 4-1 score, followed by Ed Baird USA and Simone Ferrarese ITA 3-2 each. Five teams have a 2-3 interim result. The report (PDF).

Light winds around 10 kn prevailed yesterday on the first day of the Dragon European Championship 2013 off Cascais POR. Jörgen Schönherr DEN and his team finished first in front of Gavia Cox-Wilkinson GBR and Jens Christensen DEN. The defending champion Markus Wieser GER was 7th. 62 teams from 15 nations participate. The results and the illustrated report (Por.).

The traditional Spring Cup in the South of France amidst the Worldcup events of Palma ESP and Hyères FRA takes place this year at Cap d'Agde half-way from Spain to Marseille FRA. Many teams start at this event as a preparation for the forthcoming Semaine Olympique at Hyères. The entry list has not yet been published on the event website, but a good participation is normally guaranteed. As from today, the wind forecast predicts rather light winds.

The Laser will be the Torch ! The legal conflict between the Laser designer Bruce Kirby CAN and Laser Performance, the largest of the three licensed builders has escalated to a new height. Bruce Kirby has been forced to rename his boat, as he owns the right for the design but not the right for the name. Laser Performance. the builder for Europe and North America, stopped paying Kirby the royalty fee, and Kirby was ultimately forced to halt their production. This means that no legally licensed Lasers are available at this moment. The builders in Australia, Canada and the Netherlands joined Kirby and call their boats 'Torch', the name chosen by Kirby to continue to sell his design. It is now up to the International Laser Class Association, whether the illegally produced boats called Laser or the Torch called Laser design will be represented by this organisation. The Torch website and a report.

Today begins the traditional Congressional Cup in Long Beach, the oldest and highest ranked match race in the USA, with a very attractive line-up. Favorite is the defending champion and World nbr 1 Ian Williams GBR. First challenger is Taylor Canfield ISV, who made his breakthru in top matchracing last year by winning three events of the World Match Race Tour. A special attraction of the event is the comeback of the America's Cup winner Ed Baird USA with Terry Hutchinson USA as tactician. Adam Minoprio NZL, Matthieu Richard FRA, Eric Monnin SUI make the event truly international. The entry list.
Yesterday's training was cancelled due to excessive wind, as the 20 kn plus breeze would have been too much for the Catalina 37 in action at Long Beach. The event website.

The World Ranking Lists including the new classes and based on the new calculation format start to become representative after the Palma Worldcup Regatta. Three new number ones show up with Peter Lang/Anders Thomsen DEN in the 49ers, Ivan Pastor ESP in the RS:X men windsurfers and Tatjana Droszdowkaja BLR in the Lasers Radial. The US Team holds top-3 positions with Sarah Newberry and John Casey nbr 1 in the Nacra 17, Caleb Paine second in the Finn, and Stuart McNay and David Hughes third in the Men's 470. Australia remains the strongest nation with three nbr 1 (470m, Laser, Finn) ahead of Brazil with two teams (49erFX, 470w). The ISAF report and all rankings.

No wind yesterday and the 24 teams waited in vain for more races. Here the report (It.). The ranking list after four races becomes final with Franco Rossini SUI/Flavio Favini ITA as winners ahead of the teams of Chris Rast SUI/USA and Andrea Racchelli ITA. The report of the second day with the final ranking list.

With a 2-0 victory against Scott Dickson USA in the ISAF-Grade-2 Ficker Cup, the 24-year old Taylor Canfield ISV continued his impressiving series of wins in the last 8 month Match Racing. From tommorrow on both teams will sail the Grade Congressional Cup as well in Long Beach, where they meet the world's top match racers. In the petite final Waturu Sakamoto JPN won 2-1 against Dustin Durant USA. See the complete results and read the final report.

Much wind on the final day of the ISAF Worldcup Regatta in Palma, and some position changes happened in the - depending on the class - one to four Medal Races. Not in the 470 men, where the podium was quite clear already before the last heats with Matthew Belcher/Will Ryan AUS clearly winning ahead of Mantis/Kagialis GRE and Patience/Glanfield GBR, but Bouvet/Mion FRA missed rank 3 by one point only. Winning the Medal Race, McNay/Hughes USA moved up on rank 7. No new names in the top three 470 women with Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Barbachan BRA finally winning clearly in front of Sarah Weguelin/Eilidh McIntyre GBR. Progress with both US teams as Anna Haeger/Briana Provancha USA climbed on rank 3 and Bolger/Lihan USA finished 9th. Lara Vadlau/Jolanta Ogar AUT missed the podium by two points. A German victory in the 49ers by Erik Heil/Thomas Plössel GER with a 26 points' advantage on Norregard/Thomsen DEN. Evans/Powys GBR took Bronze. No US team in the Medal Race. Strammer/Brown USA were 23rd. Superior winners in the 49erFX were Ida-Marie Baad-Nielsen/Marie Thusgaard DEN, and - being the most successful team of all classes - were awarded the 'Trofeo Princesa Sofia'. Alexandra Maloney/Molly Meech NZL and Jena Hansen/Katia Salskov DEN completed the women's skiff podium. Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke GER followed on rank 4. No chance for Lane/Neville USA on rank 28. No change in the Finns: Giles Scott GBR finished first ahead of Pieter-Jan Postma NED and Vasilij Zbogar SLO, Jonathan Lobert FRA on position 4. Caleb Paine USA missed the top-10 and is on the 11th place. A Dutch double victory by the matchracers Mandy Mulder with Thijs Visser NED and Renée Groenveld with Karel Bergemann NED happened in the Nacra-17-Cats. Moana Vaireaux/Manon Audinet FRA took the Bronze medal. The Miami Worldcup winners Newberry/Casey USA finished twice as last in the Medal Races and remain on the 10th place overall. Winning two Medal Races, Flavia Tartaglini ITA replaced Bryony Shaw GBR in the RS:X-female windsurfers. Moana Delle GER finished 3rd. With the Medal Race ranks 8 and 9, Farrah Hall USA is one up on rank 9. Ivan Pastor ESP remained on top of the RX:X-male windsurfers. The best of the day, Toni Wilhelm GER, advanced on rank 2 overall, and a race win helped Kiran Badloe NED to move on rank 3, ahead of Julien Bontemps FRA 4th with the same number of points. No US male windsurfers participating. All ranking lists, the final report and the video of the Medal Races.

The two Laser classes sailed two Medal Races each in moderate winds yesterday. Tom Burton AUS, leader during a major part of the Trofeo was relegated on rank 2 after a premature start in the first race, and Andy Malone NZL finished as overall winner with two race wins on the last day of the event. His team mate Sam Meech NZL on rank 3 completed the excellent New Zealand performance. No NorAm sailor in the Medal Race. Charlie Buckingham USA finished 12th.
In the very last race, Allison Young GBR sailed Sarah Gunni DEN, her only opponent for the final victory, down in the fleet on the last two ranks, doing no harm to the overall positions one and two for this duo. Anne-Marie Rinsdom DEN finished 3rd replacing Amélie Riou FRA 4th on the podium. Finishing 1 and 2 on the last day, Isabella Bertold CAN moved up on rank 5 overall.
All ranking lists, the final report and the video of the Medal Races.

Three races were sailed on day two of the first 2013 Act of the Italian Melges 24 Annual Championship in a shifty 12 to 16 kn breeze, all won by 'Blu Moon' with Flavio Favini ITA/Franco Rossini SUI, replacing the leader of day one, Chris Rast SUI/USA ('EFG Bank'). These two teams, separated by 5 points, will fight for victory today, as the 3rd-ranked Andrea Rachelli ITA is already 17 points behind. 24 teams from 9 nations participate. The report with results.

Moderate seabreeze conditions prevailed in the Bay of Palma where the 'final regattas' were concluded and the best 10 (or 8) selected for today's Medal Races.
The Olympic Champion Matt Belcher AUS with Will Ryan AUS as crew added two more race wins in the 470 men to his score line. With an advantage of 17 points and the performance demonstrated so far, this team is a safe bet for victory. Mantis/Kagialis GRE, Patience/Glanfield GBR, Bouvet/Mion FRA and Schmid/Reichstädter AUT on the ranks 2 to 5 have all chances for the Silver or Bronze Medal. McNay/Hughes USA 9th will participate in the Medal Race today. A leader change happened in the 470 women where Fernanda Oliveira/Ana Brabachan BRA overtook Weguelin/McIntyre GBR on top with two race wins. Separated by two points only, these two teams will race for victory today. Fighting for Bronze will Vadlau/Ogar AUT and Nincevic/Zupan CRO only one point behind. Both USA teams made the Medal Race: Haeger/Provancha are 5th, Bolgar/Lihand 10th. Despite of a premature start, Erik Heil/Thomas Ploessel GER stayed clearly on top of the 49ers with a 13 points' advantage in front of Evans/Powys GBR and Norregard/Thomson DEN. Frei/ Rocherieux FRA, 18 points behind rank 3, are too far away to be a candidate for the podium. Strammer/Brown USA are 23rd. Ida-Marie Baad-Nielsen/Marie Thusgaard DEN had their worst day in the 49erFX and the advance on Alexandra Malones/Molly Meech NZL melted to 8 points. Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke GER follow on rank 3. Lane/Neville USA are 28th. A duel will also decide on the winner in the Finns, as Giles Scott GBR and Pieter-Jan Postma NED are separated by two points only. The third-ranked Jonathan Lobert FRA is already 21 points behind. Caleb Paine USA on rank 11 clearly missed the top-10 as his direct opponent won the last race. Mandy Mulder/Thijs Visser NED and Moana Vaireaux/Manon Audinet FRA 8 points back are the favorites for the Nacra-17-catamarans. Besson/Riou FRA and Groenveld/Bergemann NED will duel for the Bronze Medal. Newberry/Casey USA 8th will sail the Medal Race as well. Three candidates for the Trofeo title race in the RS:X-male windsurfers where Ivan Pastor ESP, Ricardo Santos BRA and Julien Bontemps FRA are separated by 3 points only, but others, such as Toni Wilhelm GER will interfere in the battle for the podium. Moana Delle GER realized two race wins yesterday and is now only 3 points behind the leader Bryony Shaw GBR, Blanca Manchon ESP and Flavia Tartaglini ITA have also options on the medals. Farrah Hall USA as 10th will sail the Medal Race. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report. See also the US Sailing Team website.

Major changes on top happened in the high-quality Laser Standard fleet during the last two 'final races' sailed in a moderate 10-12 kn breeze before today's Medal Race of the 10 best. With an early start and a mediocre 16th race rank, the leader Tonci Stipanovic CRO dropped on rank 5. Tom Burton AUS is now on top after a rank 2 yesterday and starts to the Medal Race with a solid 16 points' lead on Bruno Fontes BRA and the Kiwi duo Sam Meech NZL and Andy Maloney NZL at equal points closely behind. Charlie Buckingham USA 12th missed the top-10 by 3 points, as his ranks 15 and 12 on the last day were not good enough to close the gap.
Allison Young GBR is back on top in the Lasers Radial and only the second-ranked Sarah Gunni DEN 4 points behind can challenge her for the title. Tatjana Droszdovskaja BLR follows on rank 3. A rather weak day also for Isabella Bertold CAN, ranks 15 and 17, but she remains as 8th in the top-10 and will participate in the Medal Race today with chances to move up on rank 6. All ranking lists, the daily report and the video of the day.

The only Paralympic class active at the Palma Trofeo was the one-person keelboat 2.4 m, ending the regatta yesterday without a Medal Race. Björnar Erikstad NOR ahead of Megan Pascoe GBR and Barend Kol NED was the final outcome. Lasse Klötzing GER was 4th, the newcomer Sven Reiger AUT 5th. 25 participants from 8 nations were racing. The ranking list, the daily report and the videos.

The Ficker Cup began yesterday in Long Beach in a light seabreeze. Five races of the 1st Round Robin have been sailed so far, and local Scott Dickson USA took the lead followed by world nbr 8 Taylor Canfield ISV and Waturu Sakamoto JPN. The Ficker Cup is a qualifier for next week's Congressional Cup. See the complete results.

The OK-Dinghy World Championship off the summery Pattaya THA ended yesterday with a last race sailed in a light 7-8 kn breeze. A second race rank was sufficient for Roger Blasse AUS to collect his second Worlds title after 1998. Nick Craig GBR and Mark Williams AUS took Silver and Bronze. The defending Champion André Budzien GER finished first in the last race and moved up on rank 8 overall. An early start and a pumping disqualication destroyed all his chances to defend the title. 74 boats from 9 nations and 3 continents participated. The final report and the ranking list.

Excellent conditions with an initial 10 kn breeze increasing to 16 kn prevailed yesterday on the first day of the finals at the Palma ISAF Worldcup Regatta. The new and much debated new format provoked a number of changes on top of the rankings. Today's heats will be crucial for the Medal Race selection, i.e. the top-10, resp. the top-8 in the skiff classes.
Matt Belcher/Will Ryan AUS, winners of the qualifications, continued their winning straight in the 470 men ending all three heats in their favour. Overall second at equal points are Patience/Glanfield GBR and Mantis/Kagialis GRE. Schmid/Reichstädter AUT remain on the 4th place, Leboucher/Leberre FRA and Bouvet/Mion FRA follow on the ranks 5 and 6. Rank 12 for McNay/Hughes USA, but still an 11 points' gap on rank 10. Clear lead also in the 470 women with Sophie Weguelin/Eilidh McIntyre GBR ahead of Fernadez/Barbachan BRA and Nincevic/Zupan CRO. On rank 4 are now 'out-of-nowhere' Haeger/Provancha USA, discarding the summary result of the qualifiers and making a major jump with the final ranks 0(1)/5/9, well positioned to make the Medal Race today. Bolger/Lihan USA 11th just 1 point behind rank 10. With two race wins, Erik Heil/Thomas Ploessel GER moved up on the first place in the 49ers, in front of Evans/Powys GBR and Norregard/Thomsen DEN. Strammer/Brown USA ar 26th. A class of their own are Ida-Marie Baad/Marie Thusgaard DEN in the 49erFX, winning all three races yesterday. Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze BRA progressed on rank 2 tied with Dobson/Ainsworth GBR, Conti/Clapcich ITA and Lutz/Beucke GER. 29th place for Lane/Neville USA. The Brits take more and more the command in Finns with the double race winner Giles Scott GBR 1st, Andrew Mills GBR 3rd and Mark Andrews GBR 4th. The only 'disturbance' is Pieter-Jan Postma NED on rank 2. Jonathan Lobert FRA is now 5th. Caleb Paine USA is 11th in the Finns, 5 points behind rank 10. Leader change also in the Nacra 17 where Mandy Mulder/Thijs Visser NED replaced Renée Groenveld/Karel Bergemann NED on top. Vaireaux/Audinet FRA are now 3rd. Newberry/Casey USA are solid 5th. Ivan Pastor ESP has taken the first place in the RS:X male windsurfers ahead of Julien Bontemps FRA and Toni Wilhelm GER, major changes also in the RS:X female windsurfers with Bryony Shaw GBR on top replacing Maayan Davidovich ISR. Blanca Manchon ESP advanced on rank 3. Farrah Hall USA 10th has to fight for the Medal Race today. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report.

The Laser fleets sailed the first three final races in a 15 kn breeze yesterday afternoon. Man of the day was Tonci Stipanovic CRO winning two races and moving up on the first place overall. Only one point behind are Tom Burton AUS and Philipp Buhl GER at equal points. Andy Maloney NZL and Bruno Fontes BRA follow not far back. Thrilling the fight for the top-10 positions today, as the ranks 9-12 - Jesper Stalheim SWE, Julio Alsogaray ARG, Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Ashley Brunning AUS - have the same number of points. Charlie Buckingham USA is on rank 14, only 4 points behind rank 10 required for the Medal Race. Leader change also in the Lasers Radial where Sarah Gunni DEN replaced the tied Allison Young GBR on top. Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR follows on rank 3, Amélie Riou FRA is 4th. Isabella Bertold CAN is on a solid 6th place and ready for the Medal Race. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report.

Much action and drama on day 4 of the OK-Dinghy Worlds in Thailand, with a 20 kn breeze the windiest day so far. Finishing on the ranks 5 and 2, Roger Blasse AUS made a major step towards the title as his lead on Nick Craig GBR is now 9 points. The main opponent for rank on, André Budzien GER, won a race, but was for the second time penalised by the jury for pumping and had to abandon the race. He is now down on rank 11, as he has a premature start disqualification on his record sheet as well, and the defense of the title has gone. The ranking list and the daily report.

After the windy first days, the classic Palma seabreeze filled in yesterday and the qualifications were concluded with two more races sailed in moderate conditions. The big fleets will continue in Gold- and Silverfleets, but in addition, the qualification rankings will for all classes be considered as one result in the final series beginning today.
Matt Belcher/Will Ryan AUS are the clear leaders in the 470 men ahead of Patience/Glanfield GBR nd Leboucher/Leberre FRA (here the video of the day of the team). Schmid/Reichstädter AUT dropped on rank 4. McNay/Hughes USA, ranks 5 and 3 yesterday, are now on the 13th place. Weguelin/McIntyre GBR were not as successful in the last heats, but nevertheless, they finished the qualification on the first place in front of Oliveira/Barbachan BRA and Nincevic/Zupan CRO. Bolger/Lihan USA sailed their discard (32nd) and dropped on position 11 overall. Impressive the Chinese Huang/Wang CHN on the 4th position, Vadlau/Ogar AUT follow as 5th. Well-known teams are in front in the 49ers with Morrison/Rhodes GBR ahead of Evans/Powys GBR and Paz/Paz ESP. Strammer/Brown USA, 33rd in the last race, lost lost also ground and will carry a 26th overall forward in the finals. In the 49erFX, Baad-Nielsen DEN so convincing so far lost much of their advance and just saved their first place with one point on the day's best Maloney/Meech NZL. Conti/Clapcich ITA, Lutz/Beucke GER and Jurczok/Lorenz GER follow on the ranks 3-5. Lane/Neville USA are 28th. The less windy conditions caused some bloopers for the first-ranked Finn sailors, but they stayed after all in the leading pack with Giles Scott GBR ahead of Vasilji Zbogar SLO, Andrew Mills GBR and Jonathan Lobert FRA. Perfect day for Caleb Paine USA in the Finn (ranks 2 and 4) moving up on 9th. The day winners in the Nacra 17 were French, but Renée Groenveld/Karel Begemann NED kept the lead now ahead of Vaireaux/Audinet FRA and Besson/Riou FRA. Newberry/Casey USA remain 10th. Leader change in the RS:X-male windsurfers with Julien Bontemps FRA replacing Toni Wilhelm GER on top. Maayan Davidovich ISR and Flavia Taretaglini ITA remain ahead in the RS:X-female windsurfers. Farrah Hall USA is 10th. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the daily report.

Inspite of the fact, that the first fresh-wind days of the Palma Worldcup Regatta were very demanding and selective, the value of these endeavours is practically nil with the new format proposed by a ISAF on a trial basis. This latest idea proposed by the ivory-tower far from reality ISAF Events Committee is being critised by the vast majority of people concerned, first of all athletes and coaches. The Australian Headcoach Victor Kovalenko, Mr. Medalmaker and the most successful coach of the past 20 years, was plain-speaking yesterday. 'What is the point of sailing hard? It is senseless, it's better to preserve body, sails and equipment for the second part of the regatta. Another team or sailor that does not try in the first part of the regatta can easily snatch victory in the medal races, because they are rested.' Neither the sailors investing time and money, nor the organisers have an advantage in such a lottery system. An article in Sail-World.

Finishing 1 and 2 yesterday, the defending champion André Budzien GER came back strongly, after the premature start on the second day. He is now only 4 points behind the still leading Roger Blasse AUS. One point behind Budzien follows Michael Williams AUS as 3rd. The ranking list and the daily report.
The reason to hold the World Championship of the OK-Dinghy - mostly sailed in Anglo-Saxon and Northern Europe countries - in Thailand, is due to the fact, that the Thai King HM Bhumibol Adulyadej THA (photo) was an active OK sailor himself, who had even built a boat on his own in the 60ies of the last century. An article in segelreporter.com.

Yesterday, a moderate 12 to 15 kn South wind was blowing during the morning, allowing the new Olympic 49FX and Nacra-17 classes to start their racing. During the afternoon, the breeze was freshening on up to 25 kn, but all classes could complete their program.
Adding another race win, the surprising Austrians Schmid/Reichstädter took the lead in the 470 men ahead of the Olympic Champion Matthew Belcher AUS and his new crew Will Ryan AUS. Mantis/Kagialis GRE follow on rank 3, Leboucher/Leberre FRA advanced on rank 4. McNay/Hughes USA are 21st. Weguelin/McIntyre GBR stayed clearly on top of the 470 women in front of Nincevic/Zupan CRO and Oliveira/Barbachan BRA. Bolger/Lihan USA are 7th. D'Otoli/Delpech FRA and Paz/Paz ESP share the lead in the 49ers, closely followed by Morrison Rhodes GBR as 3rd. Strammer/Brown USA are 20th. As expected, the show is on in the 49ersFX for Ida-Marie Baad-Nielsen/Lotte Thusgaard DEN dominating the fleet with three race wins. Alexandra Maloney/Molly Meech NZL and Jena Hansen/Katja Salskov DEN follow on the ranks 2 and 3. Lane/Neville USA are 28th. Separated by one point only are the first three Finns: Jonathan Lobert FRA leads ahead of Giles Scott GBR and Vasilij Zbogar SLO. Caleb Paine USA is 15th. The mixed team Nacra 17 catamaran sailed three races yesterday, and according to the expectations, the Dutch teams were performing well. Mandy Mulder/Thijs Visser NED lead ahead of Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT and Renée Groenveld/Karel Bergemann NED. Sarah Newsberry/John Casey USA, winners of the Miami Worldcup Regatta, are on position 10. Leader in the RS:X male windsurfers is Toni Wilhelm GER, while Maayan Davidovich ISR, winning 3 of the 4 races, is on top of the RS:X female windsurfers. Farrah Hall USA ist 10th. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the reports.

The qualification phase of the two Laser fleets continued yesterday with two more races in a moderate 12 - 18 kn breeze, increasing to up to 25 kn in the afternoon. Nothing new on top of the two Laser Standard fleets with Philipp Buhl GER and Tom Burton AUS winning three heats each and leading overall. The best of the day Matthew Wearn AUS (ranks 2/1) advanced on the 3rd place. Andy Maloney NZL and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA follow on the positions 4 and 5. Charlie Buckingham USA is 24th of the 119 participants sailing.
Clearly on top of the Lasers Radial is Allison Young GBR with four race wins, followed by the youngsters Anne-Marie Rindom DEN, Amélie Riou FRA, Silvia Zennaro ITA and Sarah Gunni DEN. Isabella Bertold CAN is 14th of the 66 participants sailing. All ranking list, the video of the day and the event website.

Our yesterday's assumptions that the 29er Eurocup at Cavalaire had ended, were wrong, and we apologise. Three more races were sailed on Monday. Admittedly, the event website has not yet been updated with results, but the organisers have sent us a short message with the top-three ranks: Lucas Rual/ Brewal Nael FRA replaced Jasper Steffens/ Tom Braukmann GER on top after the last races. Llena/Marquez ESP finished 3rd.

The 3rd ISAF 2013 Worldcup Event began yesterday on the waters of the Bay of Palma in a 20-25 kn breeze with gusts of up to 30 kn in the afternoon, too much wind for the 'modern' Olympic classes Nacra 17 and 49er FX, and also the 49ers had to abandon racing after two heats as the whole fleet capsized ! The solid 'old' Olympic classes however sailed the scheduled two races. The Olympic Champion Matthew Belcher AUS with his new crew Will Ryan AUS and Schmid/Reichstädter AUT were the clear winners in both heats of their groups and stay jointly on top of the 470 men's rankings. McNay/Hughes USA are on the 24th place. To be noted, that the new format awards zero points for a first place and allows to discard the worst result right from race two. Also on top with two race wins are Sophie Weguelin/Eilidh McIntyre GBR in the 470 women, followed by Skrzypulec/Wojcik POL and Nincevic/Zupan CRO. Bolger/Lihan USA are 8th. Favorites are on the first positions of the Finns with Giles Scott GBR and the Olympia-Bronze-Medalist Jonathan Lobert FRA both winning a race each. Caleb Paine USA ist 26th. Leader in the RS:X-women windsurfers is Maayan Davidovich ISR (Farrah Hall 13th), and in the RS:X-men Toni Wilhelm GER is on top. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report of the day.

The ISAF Olympic Worldcup Regatta on the waters of the Bay of Palma began yesterday with two windy races. The 118 Lasers Standard sail in two fleets, and Philipp Buhl GER and Tom Burton AUS are the superior leaders, having won both their races, sharing rank one ahead of Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Sam Meech NZL. Charlie Buckingham USA is on position 32.
Alison Young GBR was the winner of both heats in the Lasers Radial, while in the other fleet, Anne-Marie Rindom DEN and Sarah Gunni DEN booked a first place each and are on the 2nd rank overall. Mathilde de Kerangeat FRA follows on the 4th place. Isabella Bertold CAN is 21st. To be noted, that with the new regatta format, rank 1 is awarded zero points, and the discard race comes into effect right from race 2. All ranking lists, the video of the day and the report.

Apparently, there was no racing on the final day of the 29er Eurocup at Cavalaire. Winners after six races are therefore Jasper Steffens/Tom Brauckmann GER, followed by Llena/Marquez ESP and Rual/Nael FRA on the ranks 2 and 3. 89 teams from 13 nations participated. The ranking list.

Roger Blasse AUS extended his lead in the OK-Dinghy Worlds with two 2nd places yesterday on three points. Nick Craig GBR follows on rank 2, Michael Williams AUS is 3rd. Due to an early start, André Budzien GER is temporarily down on rank 15, but with a 1/7/3/ocs score line, he is still in a good position for the podium. The rankings and the daily report

Much wind on day one of the 3rd ISAF Worldcup 2013 in the Bay of Palma. 20-25 kn have been forecast, not only a challenge for the athletes but also for the new Olympic classes which have to prove their suitability under these conditions. They will draw much attention as for the first time, larger fleets will be on the water, a benchmark for the successful teams in the first regattas. In the 49erFX, Martine Grael/Kahena Kunze BRA will encounter Ida Baad-Nielsen/Marie Thusgaard DEN. Favorites in the Mixed Multihull Nacra 17 - 37 teams starting - are the Miami Worldcup winners Sarah Newberry/John Casey USA meeting for the first time the strong Dutch teams. All entry lists, video of the Practice Race and the official preview.

The Optimist Meeting on Lake Garda ended yesterday with two more races. Alexandra Stauffer ITA, winner of the last race, climbed on top of the elder Juniores taking the overall victory with a 12 points' advantage on Max Clapp GBR. Aslan Yücehan TUR moved up on rank 3.
Poland stayed on the first places in the Cadettiwith Jakup Golebiowski POL and Pawel Abramowicz POL on the ranks 1 and 3. Marius Westerlind SWE 3rd joined the podium on the last day. Subbiah Daven USA moved up on rank 8 after a successful last day, while Maddie Hawkins USA lost the title among the girls decending on rank 13, i.e. 3rd girl. The event-website.

The 5o5 Europacup in the Bay of Toulon ended prematurely yesterday as the Mistral constantly blew with over 30 kn. The rankings after 3 races - two light wind heat on the opening day and a Mistral race on Easter Sunday - became therefore final. Meike Schoemaker/Holger Jess GER were first followed by Boite/Grossmann FRA and Holzapfel/Worm GER. 43 teams racing. The final rankings.

Dream conditons with summery temperatures yesterday in Thailand for the two opening races of the OK-Dinghy World Championshp 2013. Finishing 3 and 1, Roger Blasse AUS took the overall lead ahead of Paul Rhodes NZL and Nick Craig GBR. André Budzien GER, winner of the first heat, follows on the 4th place. 70 boats from 9 nations participate. The Rangliste und der daily report.

No luck with the weather this year for the 1127 young Optimist sailors at the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting, as the rainy cold conditions stayed on during the whole day. At least there was a 14 kn Northerly breeze all day long so that all fleets could complete two races at least. The Poland Optimists continue to dominate the Cadetti (age 9-12) with Filip Szmit POL leading with a 4 points' advantage on Jakup Golebiowski POL and Pawel Abramowicz POL after four races. Maddie Hawkins USA continues to be the best girl on the 8th place of the 258 participants.
Rodolfo Silvestrini ITA ahead of Alberto Tezza ITA and the best girl Alexandra Stalder ITA are the top trio in the elder Juniores (age 13-15). Wolf Van Cauwenberghe SUI is the best non-Italian, 7 points behind the leader before the last races today. The report (It.) and the event website.

The light wind from the opening day was replaced by a fresh Mistral and five heats have now been completed after two race days. Jasper Steffens/Tom Brauckmann GER lead closely followed by Lucas Rual/Brewal Nael FRA and Marti Llena/Adria Marquez ESP. 89 teams from 13 nations (a.o. India !) are racing. The results.

Finishing 3rd in the last race yesterday, Ivan Shestopalov USA is the winner in the South American Optimist Championship. The best South American taking the Champion's title is the second-ranked Gabriel Lopes BRA, age 12 only. The Bronze Medal goes to Fausto Peralta ARG. The best girl, Clara Vignati ARG, is on rank 14 of the 144 participants. The final rankings and the report with video.

Unusual light winds and cold temperatures prevailed also on day two of the Lake Garda Optimist Weekend. The younger Cadetti sailed a race in the morning. In the afternoon, four of the five Juniores fleets completed their first two heats each, and one fleet ('white') had just the time for one race only so that no overall rankings are available yet. In the Cadetti, Filip Szmit POL, winning both races so far, is on top ahead of Marius Westerlind SWE and Pavel Abramowicz POL at equal points on rank 2. Maddie Hawkins USA on the 8th place is the best girl. Dominators in the races of the Juniores were mainly Italians, but no consolidated rankings are available. The report. Racing can be followed on video podcasts and during the day in realtime livestream.

Favorable conditions prevailed also on day 6 of the Optimist South American Championship in Porto Alegre BRA. Thanks to the day ranks 1/3/15, Ivan Shestopalov USA took the overall lead for the first time, as Gabriel Lopes BRA with another race flop descended on rank 2. But his chances for the title remain intact with a backlog of 7 points in the large 144 boats' fleet. Fausto Peralta ARG, best of the day yesterday, is now on position 3. The best girl is still Carla Vignati ARG on rank 11. The ranking list, the video and the report (Por.).

The morning North breeze brought ice temperatures for the 1137 sailors on the starting line of the day one of the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting 2013. But the wind vanished shortly after the start at 11 a.m. and remained very light during the whole day. Only the 'Pink fleet' of the younger Cadetti (age 9-12) completed a race, ending with a Polish one-two by Pawel Abramowicz POL and Patryk Kosmalski POL. Maddie Hawkins USA finished 4th as best girl among the 128 participants in this fleet. The ranking list and the report. Racing will resume early this morning and all fleets will be in action. As from today, a Live-Streaming is available on the event website.

Lay day in Porto Allegre for the 144 Optimists from 14 nations yesterday, and from today, the South American Championship 2013 will be in its crucial phase. Gabriel Lopes BRA leads ahead fo Ivan Shestoplaov USA and Chase Cooper BER after six races. The ranking list and the daily report.

Yesterday, Team Racing was on the program of the South American Optimist Championship with predominant Argentinian Optimist sailors, qualifying both Teams for the final, where ARG 1 defeated ARG 2, Chile earned the Bronze Medal. The results and the daily report.
Today, the Championship continues with more fleet races. Gabriel Lopes BRA leads 12 points ahead of Ivan Shestopalov USA. The ranking list.

The Opening Ceremony with a parade across the little Italian town Riva kicked-off the legendary Optimist Meeting on Lake Garda. With 1315 participants from 30 nations and 4 continents, the number of entries has again risen to a new record high. For the first time, an Optimist sailor from Sri Lanka SRL is among the participants. The USA are represented by 36 (!) sailors. This summer, the Optimist World Championship will take place at the same venue. The event website.

Two races were sailed on day three of the South American Optimist Championship, and the superior leader Gabriel Lopes BRA had for the first time a downer with a 26th place, but he keeps the first place ahead of the regularily sailing second Ivan Shestopalov USA. New on rank 3 is Chase Cooper BER. The best girl is now Clara Vignati ARG at equal points with Francesca Foronda PER. The ranking lists.

Next Monday begins the third Olympic Classes Worldcup 2013 event in Palma de Mallorca, and for the first time, a remarkable fleet of the new Mixed-Catamaran Olympic Nacra-17 Class is at the start. 36 teams, partly coming from other Olympic classes or from the F-18 and Tornado catamarans are on the entry list. Sarah Newberry/John Casey USA, the clear winners of the Miami Worldcup event will be challenged by the Dutch catamaran specialists Elke Delnooz/Mischa Hemskerk NED, or the two former matchracers Mandy Mulder NED and Renée Groenveld NED. Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER are another team with top chances. Interesting will be the duo of the two windsurfing top athletes Maksim Obremenko/Olga Maslivets UKR, both in the top-10s at the RS:X Worlds 2013 a month ago. The 470 top sailors Gabrio Zandona ITA (with Laura Marimon ITA) and Ben Saxton GBR (with Hannah Diamond GBR) will also be watched with interest. The official preview and entry lists.
MacNay/Hughes in the 470 men, Bolger/Lihan and Haeger/Provancha 470 women, Pesch/Burd, Strammer/Brown and Funk/Aakhus 49ers, Lane/Neville 49erFX, Paine, Lamphere Finn, Buckingham, Bowers Laser, Farrah Hall RS:X women, Evans 2.4 m represent the USA. Gentry MEX Laser and Bertold CAN Laser Radial complete the NorAm teams.

Three races were sailed in a 8-10 kn breeze on day two of the South American Optimist Championship. Finishing 1/1/6, Gabriel Lopes BRA took the clear overall lead. He is the only one with top-10 results in the four races sailed so far. Ivan Shestopalov USA and Pedro Zonta BRA follow on the ranks 2 and 3. Francesca Foronda PER on the 5th place is the best girl among the 144 participants from 14 nations. The ranking list and the report (Port.) with photos.

On the opening day of the 2013 Optimist South Americans, the winds were to light to sail the full programm of three scheduled races. The 144 boats, devided in two fleets, just finished one single race. The victories went to Luis Dotta BRA and Ivan Shestopalov USA, Northamericans Dylan Ascenisious USA and Chase Cooper BER took the 2nd places. See the complete results and read the full report ....if you speak portugese !

The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has been involved in sailing for a long time, be it in the development of 'Alinghi' or the project 'Hydroptère'. Cooperating with the world-wide known Décision SA boatyard at Ecublens/Lake Geneva SUI, theories are being put into practice and multihull sailing has been booming on Lake Geneva for years. At present, the researchers and technicians are - besides working on the 10 meter 'Hydroptère.ch', a research prototype for a big offshore multihull - engaged in the 'Little America's Cup', organised since 1961 on C-Class-catamarans. Only the size (7,6 m x 4.2 m) and the sail surface (27,8 m2) are given as measurement limits. The C-Class cats were the first to use wing-sails as implemented in the America's Cup boats today. The C-Class project 'Hydros' will be racing at The C-Cat Worlds in Falmouth GBR in September with two cats, and in 2015, the Little America's Cup will be organised in Geneva. At the same time, a world-wide research contest has been launched with the objective to optimise the energetic factors in boats-building, with the ultimate goal to minimise the energy consumption of the commercial navigation. The Communiqué in French and English, as well as the presentation video.

On the past weekend, the Mussanah Race Week ended on the Arabian Gulf. 14 races were sailed in perfect sailing conditions with a 8 to 20 kn breeze. Some classes had high-quality fleets on the starting line. Present in the Lasers was the ISAF World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS, winning the regatta ahead of Andrew Maloney NZL and Paul Goodison GBR. The Masters-World Champion Wolfgang Gerz GER finished on rank 28. Winners in the F-18 catamarans were Bontemps/Amiot FRA. Over 200 athletes from 23 nations participated in this race week. All results, the videos and the final report.

No racing on the final day of the Lake Garda Laser Europacup off Malcesine ITA. Robert Scheidt BRA in the Lasers Standard and Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR in the Lasers Radial women were the superior winners with 5 race wins each. Fionn Lyden IRL was first in the Radial men. Max Haenssler SUI achieved his first international top result winning in the Lasers 4.7. The event-website with all rankings.

Big breeze and cool temperatures on day three of the Lake Garda Europacup ! No reason for Robert Scheidt BRA to stop the row of race wins, and he added another two bullets in the Lasers Standard. Emil Cedergardh SWE (World nbr 9) with three first and two second ranks controlled group 2 as well, and from today, the two will meet in the goldfleet. In the Lasers Radial, the Irish dominated the men's fleet with Fionn Lyden IRL one point ahead of Robbie Gilmore IRL. Marci Rudawski POL follows on rank 3. In the Radials women, Tatjana Drosdovskaja BLR winning both races yesterday is clearly on top overall. Michelle Broekhuizen NED and somewhat farther back Daphne Van der Vaart NED follow on the positions 2 and 3. Max Haenssler SUI added another race win in the Lasers 4.7, keeping the first place overall ahead of Jonatan Vadnai HUN and Anil Cetin TUR. All ranking lists. The event-website does not yet contain a daily report, but Robert Scheidt BRA, the King of the Laser Class, has posted an invitation for a three-days training clinic over the next weekend.

The 40-45 kn Mistral on the first day was not perfect. Meanwhile, the weather has calmed again, and Alex Caizergues FRA and Rob Douglas USA are waiting for the next Mistral phase. Inspite of the unideal conditions, Caizergues achieved a 54,84 kn speed and was only 0,8 kn behind the record. In more favorable conditions, the record will most likely be improved. The video and the report.

Too much wind on the last day of the DN European Championship 2013 in Poland and no more racing took place. Karel Jablonski POL is therefore the superior Champion with four of the six races sailed in his favor. The World Champion Tomasz Zakrzewski POL and Peter Hamrak HUN complete the podium. 135 sleds racing. The final rankings and a short report.

The Laser Europacup on Lake Garda continued yesterday with two races and a superior dominator in the Lasers Standard winning all races so far: Robert Scheidt BRA back after 4 years on the Starboat. Emil Cedergardh SWE follows on rank 2, Lorenzo Chiavarini GBR is 3rd. 109 participants. In the Lasers Radial, Fionn Lyden IRL and Robbie Gilmore IRL lead in the men's rankings. 161 Radial men. The past World Champion Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR is on top of the Radial women, ahead of Michelle Broekhuizen NED and Floridia Joyce ITA at equal points on rank 2. 86 participants. In the Lasers 4.7, the leader in the Boys' rankings is Max Haenssler SUI in front of Jonatan Vadnai HUN and Nogay Dökmeci TUR. 115 participants. Magdalena Kwasna POL is first in the Laser 4.7 Girls ahead of Judith Engberts NED and Carolina Albano ITA. 46 girls. All ranking lists.

After the training weeks with mostly fresh winds, a light breeze of initially 8 kn, decreasing to 4 kn was present during the first day of the Training Camp Regatta. All classes sailed two heats. Starting in one 470 fleet with the men, Linda Fahrni/Maja Siegenthaler SUI finished on top of the 15 female teams with the ranks 1 and 3. In the 470 men's rankings, Matos/Schedel POR lead ahead of Barreiros/Curbelo ESP and Patience/Glanfield GBR. Jesus Sanchez ESP, Joaquin Blanco ESP and Philipp Buhl GER are on the first three places of the Lasers Standard. In the largest fleet with 34 teams, the 49ers, the leaders are Paz/Paz ESP in front of Botin/Torrado ESP. Silvia Vogl/Thomas Czajka AUT were first in both Nacra-17 races ahead of Mandy Mulder/Thijs Visser NED and Renée Groenveld/Karel Begeman NED. Baad/Thusgaard DEN were once more ahead in the 49FX followed by Clark/Groves GBR and Jurczok/Lorenz GER. First in the Finns is Girgio Poggi ITA ahead of Piotr Kula POL and the Olympic Silver medalist Jonathan Lobert FRA. Max Salminen SWE back in the Finn after his Star Olympic Gold medal is 8th. All ranking lists and the event-website.

After the removal of the organisation to a new venue with appropriate ice, the DN European Championship continued yesterday on Lake Siemianówka in Eastern Poland with two races. Adding another race win, Karol Jablonski POL defended his lead ahead of Tomasz Zakrzewski POL and Peter Hamrak HUN. Today, two more races are on the program. The ranking lists and a short report.

A fresh breeze with gusts of over 40 kn prevailed on Lake Garda on day 1 of the Laser Europacup Regatta, and considering the cold temperatures, the Race Committee decided to sail one heat only. Winners in the two fleets of the Lasers Standard were Jesper Stalheim SWE and Robert Scheidt BRA. Rank one in the Lasers Radial men is shared by Tapper Kaarle FIN, Robbie Gilmore IRL and Finn Lynch IRL with a race win each. Co-leaders in the Radial Women are Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR and Michelle Broekhuizen NED. The Laser 4.7 winners of their fleets were Marko Radman SLO and Marco Villani ITA. The report (It.) with all rankings and the wet'n'wild gallery.

For the first time, the venue for the Lake Garda Europacup is Malcesine, where the thermal 'Ora' afternoon wind is somewhat lighter, but the morning North Wind considerably stronger in this time of the year. Over 550 participants from 29 nations participate, among them Singapore, Brazil, Bahrain, Tunesia or the Dutch Antilles. After 9 years on the Starboat, the 8-times Laser World Champion and 5-times Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt BRA, who wants to participate in the 2016 Olympics in his home country, is also on the entry list. The event-website.

Up to 30 kn wind, rain and cool temperatures await the athletes today for a rough opening of the Olympic Sailing Week in Split CRO / Adriatic Sea. Top sailors are on the entry lists of some of the classes, such as in the 470s, the past World Champions Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO, in the Finns Igor Klijakovic-Gaspic CRO, Deniss Karpak EST, Michael Maier CZE and migrating from the Laser Milan Vujasinovic CRO. and in the Lasers, Pavlos Kontides CYP, the first Olympic medalist from Cyprus, Tonci Stipanovic CRO, Daniel Mihelic CRO, Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Giovanni Coccoluto ITA. All entry lists and the event-website.

The over 150 participants of the DN European Championship dislocated yesterday to the East of Poland where on the Lake Siemianówka, the ice seems to be OK according to some test drivers. All that is needed today is a good breeze to bring the Championship to a good end. After four heats, the leader is Karol Jablonski POL ahead of Tomasz Zakrzewicz POL. A report of the Austrian Team and the ranking lists.

Lack of wind and warmer temperatures creating a snow slush on the ice brought the DN Championship to a halt at the East-Polish Gizycko yesterday. The organisers have already found and alternative: the Lake Siemianówka at the Ukrainian-Polish border, where racing shall continue tomorrow. Today, the 150 sleds will move to the new venue. Leader after the four races of day one is Karol Jablonski POL ahead of Tomasz Zagrzewski POL. The report and the ranking list.

As from today, Rob Douglas USA and Alex Caizergues FRA, two of the best speed-kiters world-wide, are ready in the French Camargue to improve the kiteboard speed record (55,65 kn) and perhaps even reach the absolute speed record established by 'Sail-Rocket' (65,45 kn). The attempt period lasts until April 18, depending on the wind situation. Already tomorrow Thursday, a first session will begin as a Mistral breeze of up to 50 kn has been announced! The preview.

On the past weekend ended the World Championship of the Ice-Kiters, Ice-Windsurfers and Ice-Wings staged in perfect conditions with sun and wind in Finland. The titles went after up to 23 runs (!) mostly to East European specialists. All ranking lists, the event-website and a well edited video.

Difficult conditions with relatively bumpy ice and snow prevailed yesterday on the first day of the DN Ice-Sailing European Championship in Poland. In a 10 kn breeze, the A- and B- fleet sailed four races each, the C-fleet three. Leader after day one is the multiple Ice-Sailing World Champion and America's Cup helmsman Karol Jablonski POL with three race wins and a 2nd rank. The World Champion Tomasz Zakrzewski POL is on the 2nd place, Peter Hamrak HUN is 3rd. An Ice-Sailing 'rookie' is David Howlett GBR - the successful coach of the British Olympia Team with Ben Ainslie GBR and Percy/Simpson GBR - who is on the 16th place of the C-fleet (=107 Overall). The ranking lists and an illustrated short report.
This year as well, the organiser had to search for appropriate ice for the Championship in a tour across Northern Europe. A report with photos takes us on this journey.

The most important events during the past four weeks were the World Championships of the Olympic RS:X Windsurfers in Buzios BRA and the Laser Midwinters in Florida USA. Winning the Worlds title, Nick Dempsey GBR reclaimed the first place in the World Rankings of the RS:X-men, replacing Richard Stauffacher SUI, who - inspite of his retirement from competitive surfing after the Olympics - had shown up as number 1 with the new ranking formula (he is now down on rank 25). Flavia Tartaglini ITA, the only woman windsurfer with six results, is the new number one in the RS:X women at equal points with Tuuli Petäjä FIN. All other numbers one remain unchanged. The report and all rankings.

According to the Palma event website, another test of the regatta formats to be used at the 2016 Rio Olympic Regattas will be run at the next ISAF World Cup event, the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma de Mallorca ESP.
In addition to a few uncontested changes - such as 0 points for a race win - the ISAF theoreticians want to make the final day crucial for the distribution of the medals. Since its introduction, the idea with the Medal Race for the 10 best-ranked teams after the fleet races (sending home the bulk of participants, leaving the harbour mostly without public) has been considered a flop by the most of the sailors, one of the reasons, why the Olympic World Cup events loose more and more participants. Now, there will be two double-points/no-discard Medal Races and for the Skiffs and the new mixed Nacra 17 catamaran even four very short (10 minutes) Medal Races on one day that will decide on the final outcome of a week-long regatta event. With this, ISAF departs even more from the idea, that the most complete sailor in all wind and weather conditions shall become Olympic Champions. A weather lotto on the final day (complemented with the mostly unsteady wind in the 'shore stadium') will be decisive for the Medals !
It is doubtful whether these politics will induce more athletes to invest time and money for an Olympic campaign, comes in addition, that the 10 Olympic classes selected by the same ISAF officials are very weight-sensitive: With some kilos too much on the balance, the chances for a top results vanish, and similarily, light-wind specialists are blown away in a big breeze. The Olympic sailing will unfortunately loose even more its significance as the 'Pinnacle of Sailing', no use to emphasise 'marketing' at ISAF.
The details on the new formats. Make sailing more understandable for the public ! And more interesting for the sailors investing time and money for an Olympic campaign ! Will this be the answer ??

The Ski-Yachting organised by the Swiss Gstaad YC consists of a Giant Slalom on Friday and Match Races with radio-controlled boats on the swimming pool of the Hotel Bellevue on Saturday. 21 Club-Teams from all-over the world participated. Overall winner after the skiing and matchracing was the German team 'Bayrischer YC 2' defeating the 'Starboat fleet Basle SUI', fighting for rank three were 'Nyland SWE' and the 'Bayrischer YC 1'. The report. Results have not yet been posted on the Gstaad YC website, but the gallery of the previous year illustrates the setting of this friendly encounter.

The 86th Bacardi-Cup of the Star Class ended yesterday in Miami with a final regatta sailed in moderate conditions. The best nerves were with the USA Olympians Mark Mendelblatt/Brian Fatih USA winning the heat and turning the close rankings in their favors. After a premature start on day one, they improved their performance day after day and with the first places in the last two races, they moved up on top. Leading during the whole event, the double Olympic medalist Lars Grael BRA with Mario Lagoa BRA as crew, was dethroned on the last day. Third at equal points were last year's winners Xavier Rohart FRA with Serge Pulfer SUI as crew. The final ranking list and the video of the day.

The Sportsboats' Miami Sailing Week ended yesterday with three races. In the Melges 20, Michael Kiss USA/Willie McBride USA/Chris Rast SUI succeeded to overthrow the rankings on the final day with a 3/2/1 row of results, taking the overall victory. Alessandro Rombelli ITA with Paul Goodison GBR as tactian followed on rank 2 18 points behind. James Wilson USA and his team finished 3rd among the 44 teams . Ricardo Simoneschi ITA was the winner in the Melges 24. Leading with an 19 points' advantage were Brian Keane USA and his team in the J/70. An overthrow happened also in the Viper 640 where Lee Shuckerow CAN moved on top. All ranking lists and the event-website.

An exciting final day also at the TP52 World Championship 2013 in Miami during the last three races. Leaving the harbor, 'Ran' (Niklas Zennström SWE/Adrian Stead GBR) seemed to be on the safe side with a 6 points' lead, but messed the situation up with a bad race and 'Azzurra' (Alberto Roemmers/Francesco Bruni ITA) closed the gap before the last race. The Italians controlled the race until the last down-wind leg to the finish where the Swedes succeeded to overtake them winning the title with a one point's advantage. Third behind 'Azzurra' is 'Quantum Racing' (Brian De Vos/Ed Baird USA). The report and the video clip of the final day.

Two races were sailed yesterday at the Star Class Bacardi Cup in a moderate 8-12 kn Northerly breeze over Biscayne Bay with Rohart/Pulfer FRA/SUI and Mendelblatt/Fatih USA as winners. Lars Grael/Marco Lagoa BRA remain on top overall inspite of a 32nd place - their discard result. Today is the final day of the 2013 Bacardi Cup and 5 teams, separated by 6 points only, still have a chance for victory: Mendelblatt/Fatih USA (2 points' backlog), Rohart/Pulfer FRA (3 points), Negri ITA/Kleen GER (5 points) and Diaz/Baltins USA (6 points). The results, the event website and the video of the day.

'Red Bull Sailing' with Roman Hagara AUT had a 15 points' lead before the last races today .... but once more, this was not enough for the first overall victory in a X-40 event. 'The Wave - Musact' with Leigh McMillan GBR was only two points behind before the last double-points race and succeeded to pass the Austrians on the final downwind leg to the finish, taking the overall win. 'Alinghi', considerably reinforced by Morgan Larson USA calling tactics, is for the first time since 2011 on a podium place. The report, the final rankings and the videos.

The sportsboats sailed three races yesterday on Biscayne Bay in a moderate breeze. Briane Keane USA and his team continued to clearly dominate the J/70, while a change on top of the Melges 20 occurred with James Wilson taking the lead ahead of Paul Reilly USA and Russell Lucas USA. Allan Field USA stays on top of the Melges 24, followed by Ricardo Simoneschi ITA on rank 2. First in the Vipers is Peter Taselaar USA. All results and the event-website.

Niklas Zennström's 'Ran' was again gestern the best of the day with the ranks 1/2/4, extending the overall lead on 4 points. Today, last day of the Championship, three more races are on the program. No doubt that 'Azzurra' with Francesco Bruni ITA and another 4 points farther back 'Quantum Racing' with Ed Baird USA have not yet given up their aspirations for the title. The report and the videos.

Light winds prevailed yesterday during another set of the the stadium short races at Oman Harbour. Winning four heats, Roman Hagara AUT with his 'Red Bull Sailing' clearly extended his lead on top with a 15 points advantage on 'The Wave Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR on rank 2 before the last races today. The chance for the first ever Austrian victory on the X-40 circuit is seizable. 'Alinghi' with Ernesto Bertarelli SUI as 3rd has almost closed the gap on rank 2, and for the first time since August 2011 the Swiss have an opportunity to finish an X-44 Act on the podium tonight. The report, the ranking list and the videos.

Racing at the Star Class Bacardi Cup resumes today after yesterday's lay day, and there are two crucial races on the program for the two days ahead. Lars Grael/Marco Lagoa BRA are the clear leaders after 4 races ahead of Diego Negri/Frithjof Kleen GER and Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA. Xavier Rohart FRA/Serge Pulfer SUI will probably join this trio for the battle on the podium spots when the discard race will be considered this evening. The results and the event-website.

The Sportboats' Miami Sailing Week began yesterday in light winds on the Biscayne Bay. Just one race by class could be finished, with a number of boats missing the time limit. Winner in the largest fleet with 46 entries, the Melges 20, was James Wilson USA and his team ahead of Tony Tabb USA and Marcus Eagan USA. In the Melges 24, Cathrine Evans USA is first, the best J/70 skipper was Joel Ronning USA and in the Viper 640, Andrew Weiss USA was on top. All ranking lists and the event-website.

Very light winds hampered racing at the TP52 World Championship off Miami yesterday. The only race of the day was abandoned 300 meter before the finish line when the time limit was reached. Two more days are on the program to determine the outcome of the close races between the first three teams, separated by two points only, i.e. 'Ran' (Niklas Zennström SWE), 'Azzurra' (Francesco Bruni ITA) and 'Quantum' (Ed Baird USA). The report and the ranking list.

Inspite of winning the Medal Race, the Olympic Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED could not replace Nick Dempsey GBR on top of the rankings. The Bronze Medal went to Byron Kokkalanis GRE.
In the women's, Lee El-Korsitz ISR had her third title in a row already before the Medal Race. Silver and Bronze went to Bryony Shaw GBR and Mayaan Davidovich ISR.
And here the ranks of the North-American men: 24th David Mier Y Teran MEX, 30th Zach Plavsic CAN, 58th Carson Crane USA. Women: 12th Demita Vega de Lille MEX, 26th Marion Leppert USA, 39th Laurence Bonneau-Charland CAN.
The event-website with the ranking lists.

For the first time, the breeze exceeded 20 kn and the most experienced team were on top of the race rankings, while a number of backmarker did not finish the race. Winner of the 4th race in a photo-finish with just one meter were Peter O'Leary/Rodney Hagebols IRL ahead of Diego Negri ITA/Frithjof Kleen GER. Lars Grael/Mario Lago BRA finished 3rd and extended their overall lead on 9 points. Negri/Kleen ITA/GER follow on rank 2, Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA stayed on the 3rd position. Last year's winner with Xavier Rohart FRA with Serge Pulfer SUI as crew is on the 7th place, with room for more with the discard result. Today is lay day. The results and the video of the day.

Act 1 of the Extreme Sailing Series 2013 in Muscat Oman continued yesterday in an initial 20 kn breeze, dying over the day on 4 kn during the last of the 6 races. No changes on top of the rankings with the 'Red Bull Sailing Team' of Roman Hagara AUT leading ahead of 'The Wave - Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR and Ernesto Bertarelli SUI with his 'Alinghi', keeping rank 3 despite of an premature start. The report, the rankings and a one-hour video of the day.

Much wind also for the TP52 in Miami with 22 kn at the start of the first race of the day declining on 14 kn during the second race. 'Ran' of Niklas Zennström SWE with Adrian Stead GBR calling tactics was the winner of both heats, taking the overall rankings ahead of 'Azzurra' (Francesco Bruni ITA) and 'Quantum' with Ed Baird USA. But the gaps remain tight as the first three yachts are separated by two points only. The report with rankings and the video of the day.

As from today, the Melges 20, the Melges 24, the new J/70 and the Vipers join the Miami Sailing Week. With 51 teams on the entry list, the Melges 20 have once more the largest fleet behind the Starboats. The event-website and the entrylists.

Unusual light winds prevailed at Buzios yesterday for the last two qualification races. These were of course not the conditions for the Olympic Champion and leader Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED, who - with the day ranks 16 and 19 - had to cede the first place overall to Nick Dempsey GBR, with a backlog of 9 points. Byron Kokkalanis GRE, Nimrod Masiach ISR and Ricardo Santos BRA follow behind with the same number of points.
Winning another race, Lee El-Korsiz ISR defended her World Champion's title - her third in a row - prematurely. 21 points behind follows Mayaan Davidovich ISR as 2nd, Byrony Shaw GBR is 3rd with a 12 points deficit. Still with little hopes for a medal are Charline Picon FRA and Tuuli Petäjä FIN.
And here the ranks of the North-American men: 23rd David Mier Y Teran MEX, 26th Zach Plavsic CAN, 58th Carson Crane USA (sailing in the Silver fleet). Women: 13th Demita Vega de Lille MEX, 25th Marion Leppert USA, 39th Laurence Bonneau-Charland CAN. The event-website with the results.

The seabreeze on the Arabian Gulf freshened up to 17 kn during the 7 races of the first day of the Extreme Sailing Series 2013. The experienced X-40 teams lead in the very levelled fleet after the opening day. 'The Wave Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR is one point in front of 'Red Bull Sailing' with Roman Hagara AUT. 'Alinghi' with Ernesto Bertarelli SUI and the new tactician Morgan Larson USA is 3rd at equal points with 'Duqm Oman' 14 points behind. Another 3 points back is the X-44 newcomer 'Realtime' with Jérôme Clerc SUI with a race win. The ranking list and the daily report.

Light winds between 6 and 8 kn prevailed during the first two races of the TP52 World Championship 2013 off Miami. The favorite 'Azzurra' with Francesco Bruni ITA with the day ranks 1 and 2 is already on top of the rankings. 'Quantum' with Ed Baird USA, the Swedish 'Ran' (Adrian Stead GBR) and the English 'Gladiator' with Chris Larson USA follow one point behind. The report, the video of the day and the event-website with the ranking list.

Three races were sailed yesterday at the RS:X Windsurfing World Championships at Buzios BRA in an 18 kn breeze favoring the big-breeze specialists. No surprise that Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED took the lead in the men's category with the day ranks 2/2/1, 6 points ahead of Nick Dempsey GBR. Piotr Myszka POL on rank 3 is already 13 points back. Among the best of the day with the ranks 4/8/4 was also Louis Giard FRA as best youth surfer on rank 7 overall.
Same situation in the women's fleet with Lee El-Korsitz ISR winning all heats of the day and moving on top with a 13 points lead on Byrony Shaw GBR. Mayaan Dacvidovich ISR follows on rank 3. The 4th-ranked Charline Picon FRA is already 34 points behind. The event-website.

Light winds and relatively cool tempertures prevailed on the first day of the Bacardi-Cup yesterday. Lars Grael/Mario Logos BRA had a perfect start, were clearly on top after the first upwind leg and sailed a solo far from the rest of the 64 boats' fleet. With Peter O'Leary/Rodney Hagebols IRL and Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins USA, two of the favorites followed on the ranks 2 and 3. The last year's winners Xavier Rohart/Pierre-Alexis Ponsot FRA had a bad day finishing on rank 23 only. The results and the video report of the day.

The X-40-Cats begin the season 2013 today with the first Act on the waters of the Arabian Gulf. This year again, the team to beat will be the defending 2012 Champions from Oman with Leigh McMillan GBR ('The Wave - Muscat'), but also the second local team 'Duqm Oman' with Robert Greenalgh GBR has its chances. 'Alinghi' with Ernesto Bertarelli SUI is aiming for a better season as 2012 with the tactician Morgan Larson USA as reinforcement. The preview and the promotion-video.

Eight teams from 5 nations start today to the TP52 World Championship 2013 in Miami. Top favorite is 'Azzurra' with Francesco Bruni ITA and Vasco Vascotto ITA, but also 'Quantum' with Ed Baird USA or the English 'Gladiatior' with Chris Larson USA - winners of the Practice Race yesterday - have a say. The report and the event-website.

After an opening day with light winds, the Buzios thermal breeze filled in yesterday with the usual 15 kn average wind, and three races were sailed. In both fleets, the favorites took the command. Leader in the men with a small one-point's-lead is Byron Kokkalanis GRE ahead of the Olympic Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED. Another point back are Nick Dempsey GBR and Piotr Myszka POL jointly on rank 3. As from today, the Championship continues with a Gold- and Silver-fleet.
In the women, it is Byrony Shaw GBR who moved up on rank 1 with two race wins, 3 points ahead of Charline Piccon FRA as 2nd and the defending Champion Lee El-Korsitz ISR another point behind on rank 3. The report and the pictures.
And here the ranks of the North-American men: 20th David Mier Y Teran MEX, 21st Zach Plavsic CAN, 56th Carson Crane USA. Women: 10th Demita Vega de Lille MEX, 24th Marion Leppert USA, 38th Laurence Bonneau-Charland CAN.

The fresh 15-20 kn breeze stayed also on the last day of the Cádiz Olympic Week. The 49ers saw a French double with Frei/Rocherieux FRA and d'Ortoli/Delpech FRA on the ranks 1 and 2, while Alonso/Alonso ESP finished 3rd and took the Spanish Champions' title ahead of the past-Worldchampion Iker Martinez ESP with his new crew Iago Lopez ESP. Socrates Fernandez ESP (Laser 4.7), Francisco Glez ESP (Radial M) and Emma Plaaschaert BEL ahead of Amélie Riou FRA and Mathilde de Kerangeat FRA (Radial women) are the winners in the smaller Laser classes. To be noted that in the Radials women, it was once more Annalise Murphy IRL who dominated the big-breeze days towards the end of the week winning all four heats, but as at the Olympics, this was only enough for rank 4 overall. On top of the Lasers Standard was Antony Munos FRA in front of Jesus Sanchez ESP and Matthis Naud FRA - here all Laser rankings. Leader change in the 470ern on the last day with Matos/Schedel POR replacing Barreiros/Corbelo ESP on rank 1. The report (in Span.) contains more ranking lists (RS:X, Finn).

Favorable sailing conditions with a 15-20 kn North wind await the 62 teams from 11 nations on Bay Biscayne today for the first race of the Starboat Bacardi Cup. The wind forecast promises changing winds from 5-20 kn during the whole week, and - as always in Miami - sun and accommodating temperatures. The event-website.

Some big names of the Australian Yachting scene met over the past weekend at the Ferry Patrons Trophy in Sydney. The 18-footer veteran Iain Murray AUS (see photo ! - Giltinan-Sieger 1977-82, Starboat Olympian, Head of the America's Cup Management 2013), Trevor Barnabas AUS (5 Giltinan-Siege) and John Winning AUS acted as helmsmen, together with the 470 Olympic Champions Malcom Page AUS and Nathan Wilmot AUS. The victory went to the Australian 16-footer Champion James Dorron AUS. The video and the report.

The World Championships of the Olympic RS:X windsurfers began yesterday at Buzios BRA in light winds. Winning two heats, it is Charline Picon FRA who is on top of the women's rankings followed by Eugénie Richard FRA and Bryony Shaw GBR. Chuankun Shi CHN and Shahar Zubari ISR share the lead in the men's rankings, ahead of Pierre Le Coq FRA 2 points behind as 3rd of the 63 participants from 26 nations. The event-website including the results. The best North-Americans are in the men 16th David Mier Y Teran MEX, 29th Zach Plavsic CAN, 56th Carson Crane USA, and in the wome 17th Demita Lille Vegade MEX, 21st Marion Leppert USA, 35th Laurence Bonneau-Charland CAN.

The Dragon GP in Cannes ended yesterday with a last race, and again, the winner was Anatoly Loginov RUS, who had to discard the three race wins from day one because of a rule infraction, leaving him without chances for the overall victory. Philipp Malte/Alexander Schlonski/Michael Kurtz GER starting for Monaco are the winners just one point ahead of Vasiliy Senatorov RUS and his team. Andrey Nikandrov follows on rank 3. The final rankings and the report (Fr.).

Today begin the RS:X Windsurfing World Championships at Buzios BRA. Yesterday, the Practice Race was on the program, but the event-website does unfortunately contain neither results nor details on the day. 66 men from 26 nations and 41 women from 18 nations particpate.

On the coming Monday, the first race of the traditional 86th Bacardi Cup of the Star Class will be sailed on Biscayne Bay, the first important international Regatta since the Olympic status has been withdrawn from the class. With last year's winners Rohart/Ponsot FRA and the teams of Mark Mendelblatt USA, Peter 0'Leary IRL and Diego Negri ITA, at least four 2012 Olympians are on the starting line. In addition, strong US teams, among them the past World Champions George Szabo/Magnus Lilljedahl USA, are on the entry list. Traditionally, one very long race per day with a duration of about 3 hours is on the program. The list of participants contains 62 teams from 10 nations. The event-website.

The World Championship 2013 of the Olympic RS:X windsurfers begins today at the fashionable Brazilian holiday resort Buzios. This is the first reunion of the top windsurfers after the turbulences concerning the Olympic status. Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED, Nick Dempsey GBR, Shahar Zubari ISR, Byron Kokkalanis GRE, Piotr Myska POL, Zach Plavsic CAN with the men and Marina Alabau ESP, Blanca Manchon ESP, Lee Korzits ISR, Tuuli Petejä FIN, Byrony Shaw GBR, Charline Picon FRA in the women are all present, as well as the strong Chinese team. The only athletes missing are the two German Olympians Moana Delle GER and Toni Wilhelm. 65 male surfers from 28 nations and 41 female surfers from 18 nations are on the entry lists. New names in the North-American teams with Carson Craine USA, Laurence Bonneau-Charland CAN, Marion Lepert USA, Cathleen Tocke USA and Nicole Level MEX, in addition to the internationally experienced Zach Plavsic CAN, Demita Vega MEX and David Mier Y Teran MEX. The event-website.

Good sailing conditions yesterday with sun and a moderate southern breeze prevailed on the first day of the Cannes Dragon Grand Prix. Leader after three races is Anatoly Loginov RUS with his team on the day ranks 2/1/1, ahead of Vassilij Senatorov RUS and Ben Van Cauwenberghe BEL. Malte Philip/Alex Schlonski/Michael Kurtz GER starting for Monaco follows on rank 4. 42 Dragons from 14 nations participate. The ranking list.

The Extreme Sailing Series 2013 will begin in Oman with Act 1 next week with 8 teams, 10 nationalities, 40 athletes (9 of them Swiss !) . In addition to the experienced teams such as the last year's winner 'The Wave Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR or 'Groupe Edmond de Rothschild' with Pierre Pennec FRA, there are three new teams on the line-up: William Tiller NZL, just qualified for the Youth America's Cup at the San Francisco trials with his 'Full Metal Jacket Team', 'Team Korea' with the 49er Olympic Silver medalist Peter Burling as helmsman and the Swiss 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI, Bryan Mettraux SUI, Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI, Cédric Schmidt SUI and Thierry Wasem SUI. The second Swiss cat, 'Team Alinghi' with Ernesto Bertarelli SUI, has been considerably reinforced with Morgan Larson USA calling tactics. The preview and a presentation video of these successful public-attractive show regattas.

Today is day one of the Dragon Grand Prix in Cannes with 42 teams from 14 nations on the entry list, among them 8 German teams. The weather forecast promises light winds and sun, but still cold temperatures. As from Thursday, a fresh Easterly will fill in with rain. The event-website.

Over the past weekend, the South American RS:X Championship 2013 took place in Rio as a tune-up to the RS:X Olympic Windsurfing Class World Championship 2013 in Buzios BRA. Most of the international top windsurfers participated. Winners were in the men Nimrod Masiach ISR ahead of Byron Kokkalanis GRE and Ricardo Santos BRA, and in the women Patricia Freitas BRA ahead of Bruna Martinelle BRA and Marina Alabau ESP. The report and the Worlds event website.

The St Moritz Match Race, an official stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour for 10 years, has been postponed to 2014 due to a lack of commercial funding for the event this year. The report.

The MOD-70-trimarans launched last years have made quite an impression at their last year's events. Offshore racing top performers such as Michel Désjoyeaux FRA, Sébastien Josse FRA or Roland Jourdain FRA are enthusiastic about the new One-Design Class. Now, an American team has joined the Class: the 'Orion Racing Team' headed by the past Laser and Finn World Champion as well as experienced offshore and multihull sailor Cam Lewis USA. The report.

Fast and furious was the JJ Giltinan Championship final yesterday in a 20-25 kn breeze. The inofficial 18-footer World Championship was decided in a duel between the defending champion 'Gotta love it 7' with Seve Jarvin AUS and 'Rag & Famish Hotels' with Jack Macartney AUS, starting to the last heat with the same number of points. In a capsise festival, it was 'Gotta love it 7', who had the upper hand, celebrating her fourth Championship title in a row. Here the spectacular video of the last race and the report.

Roberto Tomasini AUT with his team (a.o. Vasco Vascotto ITA as tactician) sailing for Switzerland finished the last race on the 5th place just enough for the overall win after 10 races two points ahead of Alex Jackson USA (tactician Paul Goodison GBR). The final rankings and the report.

Race number 6 yesterday was cancelled due to gusts above 40 kn, as we reported yesterday. Here the video. The last race today was therefore crucial for the title between the tied 'Rag & Famish Hotels' with Jack Macartney AUS and the defending champion Seve Jarvin AUS on 'Gotta love it 7'. The 3rd-ranked 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' was already 6 points back.
A fresh breeze - up to 25 kn - prevailed again today, and all teams sailed with the small rig. A number of skiffs in the back ranks did not even use the spinacker. But many capsizes were nevertheless not to avoid. 'Gotta love it 7', once more with a prudent start, came strongly from behind, passing boat after boat, and even overtook the leading 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' (Michael Coxon AUS) on the final leg, winning again the inofficial 18-footer World Championship. Finishing 4th, 'Rag & Famish Hotels' took rank 2 overall. 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' is on the 3rd position. The best non-Australian is 'C-Tech' with Alex Vannings NZL and the Olympic Silver medalist Peter Burling NZL on the 4th place with the same number of points as the 3rd. It is the fourth title in a row for 'Gotta love it 7' with Seve Jarvin/Scott Babbage/Peter Harris AUS. Howie Hamlin USA is on rank 13 of this race, 24 minutes behind the winners. For the race results go to the race-tracker. The final report with the official rankings will follow during the day on the event-website.

After loosing the first place on day 2, Roberto Tomasini AUT, tactics Vasco Vascotto ITA, sailing for Switzerland came strongly back yesterday, winning 3 races. He is now 6 points ahead of Alex Jackson USA before the last three races today. The report.

After yesterday's rest day, the JJ Giltinan Trophy is now in its crucial phase with the races 6 and 7 on the program today and tomorrow. And the situation is very close with the defending champion 'Gotta love it 7' (Seve Jarvin AUS) and 'Rag & Famish Hotels' (Jack Macartney AUS) at equal points on top.
At this moment, a strom is over Sydney and the start of race 6 had been postponed and now even cancelled, because of gusts of up to 43 kn. The event-twitter informs on the situation. See also the live-tracking and the video-report of race 5.

Good saiing conditions prevail in Florida where the Laser Midwinters are taking place since two days. Six races have been sailed so far by the Lasers Standard and 4.7, while the Radials, sailing in two fleets, completed three heats each so far. Best of the 9 starters in the Lasers 4.7 is Andy Burns USA taking 4 of the 6 races. Leader in the 59 boats' Laser Standard fleet is Clay Johnson USA clearly ahead of Juan Maegli GUA and David Wright CAN. Luke Ramsey CAN was the winner of all three races in his Laser Radail group and is on top ahead of James Pulsford USA and Liam McCartey USA. Corinne Peters CAN on rank 4 is the best ranked woman. The results.

By scoring three bullets Jason Caroll USA and his team moved up to first place on the second day of the Virgin Island Sailing Series sharing the lead with Alex Jackson USA. Just one point back ist Roberto Tomasini SUI and his team. See the complete results.

It is not new that the Star Class tried every legal possibility to get the Olympic status again. But it was always clear that the Organisers of the Olympics had no right to decide on events. According to the Olympic Charter, only demonstration sports without medals can be added to the Games of an Olympiad by the IOC. Apparently, these facts have reached the publishers of SailingAnarchy, announcing erroneously two days ago that the Starboat will be back. See the hoax. The President of the Star Class Bill Allen USA has published a dementi.
This situation does not at all mean that the Star Class does not upheld its entitlement for the Olympic status, as the Star fulfills the requirements of the IOC as no other sailing event (i.e. a sport as it is practiced in .. nations worldwide). Largely over 50% of sail-racing is in keelboats, the thrill and pubclic interest in the Medal Races of the last two Olympics was in the Starboats with close fights up to the finish line, the very best sailors from different Olympic classes are reunited in the Star Class, guaranteeing sailing at the highest level. The national heros Robert Scheidt/Bruno Prada BRA would have been the highlight for the Brazilian Olympics of all sports ... and last but not least .... the Starboat can be sailed in winds 4 to up to 35 kn, contrary to the new Olympic classes that have to stay ashore in 20 kn up winds and waves to avoid crash and burn racing.

Today is rest day for the 33 team sailing the JJ Giltinan Championship 2013 in Sydney after 5 races. On Saturday and Sunday, the crucial heats 6 and 7 are on the program.
Race 5 yesterday - we reported already about the outcome - was challenging. The unconstant breeze between 5 and 18 kn made the choice of the best-performing rig a poker game before the start already. The two overall leaders 'Gotta love it 7' (Seve Jarvin AUS) and 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' (Michael Coxon AUS) decided for the smaller rig. Their immediate chasers, lead by 'Rag & Famish Hotels' (Jack Macartney AUS) sailed with the large rig and had important speed advantages on the downwind legs. Nevertheless, 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' took the lead with a perfect start and defended this position during two rounds, but a capsize killed all hopes for a top position. 'Rag & Famish', 'Smeg' (Nick Press AUS) and 'Yandoo' (John Winning AUS) - all with the big rig, finished on the first three places. Seve Jarvin AUS made the best of it and finished 4th with his 'Gotta love it 7'. 'Rag & Famish' and 'Gotta love it' are now jointly on top of the rankings and the weekend with fresher winds - .... and much traffic on Sydney Harbour - promises much excitement in the last two races. See the well edited video of race 5. The report.

Several sailing media reported yesterday about the arrangement of Rio Olympic Games Organisers and the IOC about the reinstatement of the Starboat as Olymic Class. Apparently, the organisers have right (??) to add an event of their choice, and with the 6 Olympic Medals of Torben Grael BRA and Robert Scheidt BRA, the Starboat was the most successful Brazilian medal producer in the past decades. No official confirmation from the IOC or ISAF has been published so far. The report in Sailing Anarchy and Segelreporter. The Star Class is at present preparing the launching of a professional Star Sailing League. News will follow soon.

Delayed due to quality problems with the carbon-fibre masts, the fleet at the first appearance of the new Nacra-17 catamarans for mixed teams at the Olympic World Cup in Miami was rather small. This will change at the next World Cup event in Palma, where a remarkable fleet with interesting new team compositions will be present.
Well mastering the new multihull are Sarah Newsberry/John Casey USA, who clearly dominated the World Cup in Miami. Here a first video presentation of the team.

Roberto Tomasini AUT, starting for Switzerland, with Vasco Vascotto ITA as tactician took the lead on day one of the Melges 32 Sailing Series on the Virgin Island with the day ranks 1/4/1. Alex Jackson USA (with Paul Goodison GBR as tactician) follows two points behind. The ranking list and the report.

Light winds below 10 kn prevailed yesterday, and Michael Coxon AUS on his 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' is back in the race for the title with a race win. After four races and a discard, the defending champion 'Gotta Love it 7' (Seve Jarvin AUS) is two points ahead of 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers'. 'Rag & Famish Hotels' with Jack Macartney AUS follow another point behind. 'C-Tech' with Alex Vallings NZL on the 4th place is 7 points behind the leader.
Today, the fresh breeze is back and Jack Maccartney AUS on his 'Rag & Famish' took the race win joining 'Gotta love it 7' - rank 4 today - on top of the overall classification. 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' had to content herself with position 8 and lost the runner-up place. The New Zealand 'C-Tech' even had to abandon the race. Howie Hamlin USA is 13th. The race results (click 'Analysis' down left) and the event website. Yesterday's video has nost yet been activated up to this moment.

The trimaran 'Paradox' of Peter Aschenbrenner USA with Cam Lewis USA as helmsman finished the fast and windy round-the-Caribbean race in 40 hrs and 22 min, just 11 minutes more as the previous record. The 100-foot max 'ICAP Leopard' as first monohull was also above the old record time. The reports.

Moderate and stable winds prevailed yesterday and Seve Jarvin AUS and his 'Gotta love it 7'-team realised a start-to-finish win ahead of 'Rag & Famish' with Jack Macartney AUS and 'Appliancesonline.com' with Micah Lane AUS. Here the video of race 3 and the report. Clear leader in the overall rankings is the defending champion ' Gotta love it 7' now 4 points ahead of 'Rag & Famish'. The solidly performing 'C-Tech' with Alex Vannings NZL (and the Olympic silver medalist Peter Burling NZL) is on 3rd. .
Just at press time (7 a.m. CET), the 4th race of the JJ Giltinan was completed. 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' of Michael Coxon AUS, forced to abandon yesterday with a broken bob stay , is the winner. The New Zealand 'C-Tech' finished 2nd and remains in the race for a Medal. 'Smeg' of Nick Press AUS took her first place on the podium, whereas the overall leader 'Gotta love it 7' follows as 4th and could extend the overall lead. 'Rag' and the upcoming 'C-Tech' are just behind on 2 and 3. As soon as the discard race comes into effect, 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' with also two race wins will join the top group. The results and the website, where the video of day 4 will be published during the day.

After the Monday lay day, the 33 teams just finished the 3rd race of the JJ Giltinan today. Adding another victory, the defending champion 'Gotta love it 7' with Seve Jarvin AUS underlined her ambitions for the title. Her main opponent 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' with Michael Coxon AUS was forced to abandon the race. 2nd and 3rd today were 'Rag & Famish Hotels' with Jack Macartney AUS and 'Appliancesonline.com' with Micah Lane AUS. Alex Vannings NZL on 'C-Tech' is on position 4. Howie Hamlin USA finished 13th while Katie Love USA and her all female team ended up on 27th. The rankings can be found on the race-viewer page (down left: 'analysis'). The report of the day will be published during the morning on the event-website, including the video of race 3.

The Arabian Tour 2013 ended yesterday with the Abu Dhabi to Dubai leg. Bertrand Pacé FRA and his 'AISM-Team' took the lead right from the beginning, finished first, and replaced 'BAE-Systems' with Cédric Pouligny FRA, leader since day one, on the first overall position. The report.

The 33 teams sailed their second race of the Giltinan Championship in a 10-12 kn breeze yesterday on Sydney Harbour, overcrowded with weekend sailors and the usual Ferry traffic. In spite of the lighter wind, the favorites were again the dominators of the race. 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' with Michael Coxon AUS were the winners, as the first over the line, 'Mojo Wines' with James Dorron AUS, was disqualified for a premature start. The defending champion 'Gotta love it 7' with Seve Jarvin AUS finished second despite of a bad start, and stays on top overall. 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' and 'Rag & Famish' (Jack Macartney AUS) follow on rank two with the same number of points. The New Zealand 'C-Tech' with Alex Vaillings NZL follows on the 4th place. The report and the video. Today is lay day in Sydney.

Light winds prevailed yesterday for the last race of the Pálamos-Trophy, allowing to discard the worst result. Some changes in the rankings were the consequence, but David Labrouche GBR, the only sailor with all single-digit results, remained unchallenged on top. Miel Verstrate BEL advanced on rank 2 thanks of winning the last race. Maxime Pedron FRA finished 3rd of the 470 participants. On rank 4 follows the best girl Paula Igual ESP. The ranking list, the report and the video.

The breeze - 12-15 kn - was not too strong on the first day of the JJ Giltinan Trophy, and the moderate conditions attracted numerous weekend sailors out on Sydney Harbour. The Race Committee decided to postpone the first start to 4 p.m. hoping to avoid the too many boats on the water.
The favorites immediately took the leading positions in the fleet. 'Gotta love it 7' with Seve Jarvin AUS coming from behind succeeded to catch the clearly leading 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' with Michael Coxon AUS that lost the big advance because of a Ferry. Another major disturbance was caused by a Cargo vessel remixing the mid-fleet on the last upwind leg. Tension came up also on top of the fleet, as 'Rag & Famish' (Jack Macartney AUS) closed the gap on 'Gotta love it 7' more and more and was finally beaten by 4 seconds only. 'Pure Blonde' (Tom Clout AUS) finished 3rd, 'Thurlow Fisher Lawyers' had to content themselves with the 4th rank. 'C-Tech' with Alex Vaillings NZL and the Olympia-Silver-medalist Peter Burling NZL is 6th as best non-Aussie skiff. Howie Hamlin USA finished 8th among the 33 participants. As always, a full video summary of the race as well as the report have been posted on the official website.
The second race is underway at this very moment early in the morning CET and can be followed over live-tracking.

Almost no wind at the Costa Brava and the 470 Optimists were forced to stay ashore waiting for the breeze in vain. The ranking list after three races remains unchanged with David Labrouche GBR leading ahead of Marcelo Cairo ESP. Sam Johnson on 84th is best ranked american in the 470 boat fleet. The results and the report. The wind forecast for today - 3-6 kn - is not any better unfortunately.