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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.
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.
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, the report 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.

Brilliant results for the two new designs from the X-Shipyard over the last weekend on Lake Constance. The X-34 'Emma' of stefan Eckstein was first in the category ORC 2-4 at the Zeppelin-Regatta in Friederichshafen, the Xp-33 'Xperience' finished 2nd overall in her first race at the Monfort-Cup at Langenargen. The reports.

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. The results, the report and the videos.

The Swiss Championship of the A-Cats was sailed over the Pentecost weekend in parallel with the Tornado Europeans at Fussach AUT, Lake Constance. 51 A-Cats from 7 nations participated and the winner after 8 heats was Sascha Wallmer SUI followed by Thilo Keller GER and Matthias Deitz GER. The results and the report (in French).

The 'Bodensee Woche 2013' (Lake Constance Week) begins today with the arrival of the classic yachts and the formal opening ceremony. Racing will be on as from tomorrow. 160 teams - mostly classic yachts (Schärenkreuzer 22er, 45er, 75er, 8 and 6 meter yachts) are on the list of participants. The program and the event website.

Much wind for the Lake Morat Surfclassic over the Pentecost Weekend. A class of his own was the PWA-experienced Daniel Aeberli (Fanatic/Severne) in the Slalom competition ahead of Baptiste Beer (Patrik/North) and Andreas Colombo (JP/Neilpryde). The youngsters were dominating the Formula race, above all Fabian Schenk (Fanatic/Severne) followed by Jan Orsatti (Starboard/Neilpryde) and Valentin Zwygart (JP/Neilpryde). Winner in the Fun-Slalom was Baptiste Beer (Patrik/North) followed by Remo Diethelm (Patrik/Loftsails) and Claude Greisler (Starboard/Severne). The report with rankings and photos.

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. 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.
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. 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.

A thick fog and no wind again on the last day of the Young European Sailing and no racing was possible. Most of the classes have only one race completed, and the 420 even remained without a valid result. Among the winners of the many classes are Chiara Steinmüller GER (Laser Radial), Jasper Steffens/Tom Lennart Brauckmann GER (29er), Szymanski/Baldewein GER (470) or Marcus Kerketerp DEN (Laser 4.7). The final report and all ranking lists.

The breeze was much too strong on Lake Neuchâtel yesterday and no more racing was possible at the GP Estavayer. Overall winner in the M2-cats is therefore 'Team Tilt' with Lucien Cujean SUI ahead of 'Spam' with Charles Favre SUI and 'TeamWork' with Antoine Thorens SUI. The report.

Good wind conditions let the rather humide weather be forgetted, and as always over the long Pentecost weekend, a full regatta calender kept the Swiss sailors busy on the Swiss lakes (and some internaionally) from Saturday till Monday. Most results have already been published. The overview on the Swiss activity is as always in our Sailing Switzerland section.

Bad luck with the weather for the over 600 sailors at the 2013 'Young European Sailing' Regatta in Kiel, as after a rainy night, the wind was very light on day 2, and only one race by class or less was possible. The 420 have no valid results after two days. The 29er rankings have no value as only half of the fleet completed two races. As for the Lasers, the leaders are Philipp Kasüske GER in the Standards, Chiara Steinmüller in the Radials and Markus Kirketerp DEN in the 4.7. All results and the report of the day.

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. 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.

The Tornado Europeans on Lake Constance ended yesterday with two races sailed in the freshest breeze so far. Jordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis GRE booked two bullets, but not enough to replace Roland and Nahid Gaebler GER on top of the rankings to defend the title. Nikolas Mavros/Alexandros Tagaropoulos GRE finished third. The final rankings and the short report.

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.

A beautiful and challenging North-Easterly of 5-6 bft prevailed on day one of the GP d'Estavayer event of the 2013 M2 Speed Tour on Lake Neuchâtel. Four races were sailed and three of them stressed the teams to their limits. Crews over board, capsizes without major damages happened in the last race of the day where only two teams finished without incidents. Technical skills prevailed over tactics in these conditions and it was Lucien Cujean SUI with his 'Team Tilt' – the Swiss team qualified for the Youth America's Cup – who finished on top after this fulminant start of the GP followed by '75e Bol d'Or' and 'Team Work'. The news, the M2 Speed Tour website and the video of the 100 milles de la Pentecôte of Saturday.

Good conditions prevailed on Lake Geneva for the Laser Points' Championship Regatta of Pully where 3 to 5 races were sailed. Asya Luvisetto SNG is on top in the Laser 4.7 (26 participants) ahead of Jacques Leveque SNG and Oliver Strässler YCB. The local Fiona Testuz CP was the winner in the Lasers Radial (31 participants) in front of Luca Hänni YCB and Stephan Naé CVVT. Rapahel Moser SCE was first in the Lasers Standard tied with Markus Ochs CVVT and Cyrill Knecht ZSC. The final rankings.

The roughly 40 teams at the Opening Regatta of the 2013 'Championnat du Petit Lac', the annual circuit on the lower part of Lake Geneva, organised by the Club Nautique de Crans, enjoyed an accommodating afternoon surrounded by two rain showers. The line honors went to 'Syz & Co' (TR1) of Philippe Gay, ahead of 'Oyster' of Marc Houlmann. Winner in the Surprise was Nicolas Kauffman on 'Choco-Boom' ahead of Michael Kwiatek and Thierry Lanz. In the Alexandre Vandini was just a length in front of Jean-Marie Mechelany and Daniel Hubert. All results and the club website.

Very light and unconstant winds prevailed during the traditional Pentecost Saturday Long-Distance Regatta Zürich - Rapperswil on the upper end of Lake Zurich. Holding back at the start, Flavio Marazzi SUI opened the throttle of his brand-new, ultra-fast GC32-cat, rushed thru the fleet and crossed the finish line after 3 hours 22 minutes 11 minutes ahead of the second-ranked Chaps 30 of Bruno Schmid. Madeleine Maurer on an Onyx 3 was 3rd. The results in real time and the class rankings.

Lack of wind and a thick fog delayed the starts and upcoming thunderstorms lateron limited racing on the first day of the Young European Sailing Regatta in the Bay of Kiel. Racing was only possible on the courses close to the shore. Winners of the only race in the 29ers were Jasper Steffens/Tom-Lennart Brauckmann GER ahead of Christian Wolte/... GER and Ole Kuck/Niklas Kath GER. Sailing were also the Europes with Sverre Reineke GER as winner of the only heat. On top of the Lasers 4.7 is Philipp Steenbuck GER in front of Hannah Andersohn GER. All entry lists and the report of the day.

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 ranking ant the reports.

Four races were completed on the second day of the Tornado Europeans on Lake Constance. After two more bullets, the advantage of Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER as first in the overall rankings is now 5 points on Iordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis GRE. Mavros/Taragopulos GRE are 3rd of the 31 teams. The results.

A record-size 309 Finn fleet from 30 nations and 4 continents begins its 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).

Yesterday, the traditional 100 Miles Pentecost Regatta was on the program. The M2 cats, by far the fastest of the fleet, finished the shortened race in a little bit over two hours. Charles Favre SUI on 'SPAM' won just two seconds ahead of Alex Schneiter SUI ('Tilt'). 13 teams participated. Today, the Grand Prix d'Estavayer is on the program. The report. The complete 100 Miles' rankings with all classes has not yet been posted on the events website early this morning.

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, Mathieu 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.

Two races were sailed yesterday at the Tornado European Championship 2013 on Lake Constance in well-established Westerly breeze. Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER were the winners in both heats, ahead of the defending champions Paschalidis/Trigonis GRE. 31 teams participate. The short report and the results.

After the fatal accident of 'Artemis', the 'Sailing Team Germany/NRV' organisation decided to withdraw their team qualified for the Youth America's Cup with the development athletes Philipp Buhl GER and Erik Heil GER for safety reasons. The young sailors insist on a participation, as they are convinced to master the challenges of the proven AC-45 multihulls. On their own, they plan to stay in the competition .... and are now looking for financial support for their trip to San Francisco in the early autumn 2013. The report.

The extended Whitsun weekend is - as every year - the time for an intense 3 or 4-days' regatta activity all over Europe, with important events such as the World Match Racing Tour on Lake Constance, the Youth European Sailing Regatta ('YES') in Kiel (as from today) or the Finn-Masters in La Rochelle (beginning tomorrow). Our 365 days' events coverage will bring you the latest news by 7 hrs CET on Whitsun Sunday and Monday as usual.

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 Tornado European Championship off Fussach at the Austrian shore of Lake Constance. 33 teams from 8 nations participate. This year again, the defending champions Paschalidis/Trigonis GRE and their first challengers Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER will be the teams to beat for the title. Chances for a place on the podium are also with Martin and Julia Rusterholz SUI. The event-website.

Last weekend, the newly developped OneDesign-catamaran GC32 had her maiden regatta on Lake Traun. Among the pioneers opting for this new boat is the former Starboat helmsman Flavio Marazzi TYC, who - lacking an international class calender for the 32-foot multihull at the moment - will participate in the major long-distance races on the Swiss lakes. Already next Saturday, he will start at the Zürich-Rapperswil race, but also other classics such as Geneva-Rolle-Geneva, the Round Lake Constance or the Bol d'Or on Lake Geneva are on the program. Kiel Week, Cowes Week and the Centomiglia on Lake Garda are also among the venues to attend. The team of Flavio Marazzi consists among others of Matias Bühler SUI, the matchracer Keith Swinton AUS, Diego Stefani URU and Marco Lamas ARG. Yesterday, the Marazzi cat was baptised on the occasion of a press conference in Zürich by the former Miss Switzerland Jennifer Ann Gerber. The report (german) (PDF).

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.

After the eventful Vendée Globe 12/13, bringing Stamm for the first time to finish, however hors concours, as he had to rely on outside help to continue the race after an severe equipment failure, leaving him without electric power, the new program for the season 2013 was announced yesterday. The main objective is the Transat Jacques Vabre starting in Le Havre in November, that he will tackle together with Philipp Legros FRA, a long-time crew membe of the 'Cheminées Poujoulat' team, who best knows Stamm's Open 60. The report.

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, 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 34th America's Cup will remain on track with first starts in 7 weeks from now according to AC Management, inspite of the fatal accident of the AC Challenger of record 'Artemis'. However, a Review Committee, directed by Iain Murray AUS, Regatta Director for the 34th America's Cup and CEO of America's Cup, shall investigate on all matters of importance to improve the safety of the participants. The report.
The lawyer and America's-Cup specialist Cory Friedman USA criticises this approach and requests a truly independent investigation. A position paper in Scuttlebutt.

A rainy weekend with good West wind conditions prevailed over the past weekend on Lake Constance. The eight classes particpating at the Monfort-Cup sailed 8 races each. A the same time, this regatta was the first event of the 2013 Platu Alps Cup. Matthias Bermejo SUI and his 'Super-Büsi'-Team were first among the 15 Platus, ahead of Tom Studer SUI and André Teutenberg GER. Winner in the Sportboat rankings was Lutz Gärtner GER on a J/80, and the ORC-classification went to Eckard Kaller GER on a J/V 37. The results.

The Corsaire Class sailed their 2013 Swiss Championship on Lake Neuchâtel over the past Ascension Day weekend. Eight races were sailed in well established West wind conditions, all won by Rolf Uhlmann and his team for another impressive Champion's title. Silver and Bronze went to Martin Steiger and Adrien Dreyer. 23 teams participated. The final results.

As always over the Ascension Day weekend, a number of Swiss Championships took place, mostly in wet-cold conditions but with a good wind. Read our news of the past few days to find the details. In addition, there were some other weekend regattas on the program. Please find all details in the sailing-news section Sailing Switzerland.

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. 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. 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.

Pouring rain and no wind prevented racing on the last day of the Star Trophy on Lake Uri yesterday. The interims rankings of Saturday become therefore final with Jürg Wittich/Christian Trachsel SUI, day ranks 3 and 1, passing the defending Trophy holders Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER with the same number of points on top. Jürg Ryffel/Alex Gouda SUI follow on rank 3 of the 26 teams from 4 nations. The video of the day and the final rankings (PDF).

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. Prominent tacticians such Vasco Vascotto ITA, Hamish Pepper NZL or Mark Mendelblatt USA participated. The report and the results.

No change in the last races in the top ranks at the Yngling Swiss Championship on Lake Thourne. Thorsten Schutt/Robert-Jan Kentgens/Kaj Morwinski GER are the Champions ahead of Klaus Diem AUT and his team. The race for the best Swiss team ended in favor of Colin Nussbaum/Thomas Huber/Christian Frey SUI as 3rd just one point ahead of Rico Gregorini SUI and his team as 4th. 27 teams from 3 nations participated. The final rankings.

Good sailing conditions prevailed yesterday on Lake Geneva off Versoix where the Décision 35's completed six races in an oscillating South-West / West breeze, making sailing very challenging. Team 'Alinghi' mastered these conditions the best and won the GP of Versoix in front of 'Realstone' and 'Zen Too'. The communiqué, and the Trophy website with results.

The European Championships of the Paralympic Skud-18 and different Access Classes ended yesterday on Lake Constance in the freshest breeze so far of 10-15 kn. Winning all six heats in the Skud 18, Alexandra Rickham/Nuki Birell GBR confirmed their role as favorites and finished clearly on top. First in the single hander Access 303 (28 participants) was Gilles Guyon FRA ahead of Joao Pinto SUI. The first position in the Access 303 (double) are Zoltan Pegan/Eva Mirczev HUN closely followed by Joshua Rothenhäusler/Dominique Scheller SUI. All ranking lists, the video of the last day and the final report (PDF).

Favorable sailing conditions prevailed on the last day of the GC32 catamaran Austria Cup of their Regatta World Premiere. Six teams shared the three cats built so far. Adding two more bullets, Adam Minoprio NZL took the overall win ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI who finished 2nd overall thanks to a 2nd race ran. The video of the day and final report.

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.

Olympic Garda 2013 is over for the SUI-Team. Admittedly, the best Swiss improved their results in all three attended classes, but the bad results at the beginning of this Series let the Medal Races too far away. Best of the day for the first time were in the 470 men Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI with the ranks 4/2/2 lifting them on the 7th place overall, just not good enough for the Medal Race according to the new format used at Riva with only 6 qualifiers. Philipp Erni/Stephan Zurfluh SUI finished 17th, Fabrice and Guillaume Rigot SUI 19th and Julian Flessati/Tobias Rüdlinger SUI 20th. Manon Kivell-Luther SUI finished on rank 11 in the Lasers Radial, Nigina Römer SUI dropped on rank 22, Fiona Testuz SUI is 44th. Progressing were Stéphanie Rossé/Michael Gloor SUI on the 12th position in the Nacra 17 with the day ranks 6/7/10. The event-website.

All classes sailed four races on the Ijssel-Meer yesterday. Scipio Houtman NED took the overall lead in the huge Optimist fleet with 3 bullets in his group. David Lucan AUT and Damian Suri SUI follow two points behind on the ranks 2 and 3. The ranking list. In the younger Optimist Benjamins, Yigit Citak TUR remains in the lead. In the Lasers 4.7, David Biedermann SUI moved up on top 3 points ahead of Timo Gruis NED. William de Smet BEL is the new leader in the Lasers Radial. All other rankings (420, 29er, Splash, RS:X, Techno293, Cadet) and the event-website.

After a long waiting ashore, the North-Westerly breeze filled in on Lake Uri with 1-2 Bft for just one race, the even had to be shorteneds. Jürg Wittich/Felix Trachsel SUI were the winners, taking the overall lead. Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER follow at equal points on rank 2, Jürg Ryffel/Alex Gouda SUI moved up on rank 3. It is uncertain whether the instable weather situation will allow for more races today. The results (PDF) and the perfectly edited 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. 21 teams sailing. The results and the daily report.

The Esse 850 Swiss Championship in the Bay of Rapperswil ended yesterday with a last race. Inspite of an 8th place, Alain Marchand/Dario Caffaro/Loïc Gaussen/Fanny Brouchoud SCStM defended the first place. Christoph Renker RCO missed the title by one point only, and also Daniel Schroff YCK on rank 3 was only 2 points behind. The final rankings (PDF).

Grey was the weather on Friday with no races and very devastated the sailors learning about the tragic fatal accident of Andrew Simpson GBR, member of 'Artemis Racing', an active participant in the D35 Vulcain-Trophy Series 2013.
Yesterday, the 10 teams had to wait until 14 hrs CET for a puffy 'Joran' breeze to fill in, allowing to complete five races. Winning 4 heats, Ernesto Bertarelli SUI with his 'Alinghi' is the clear leader ahead of 'Realstone' with Jerôme Clerc SUI and 'Zen Too' with Fred Le Peutrec FRA. The results and the report of the day.

Rainy weather with a solid 10 kn breeze prevailed on Lake Traun yesterday, and 16 races were sailed. The leader before today's final races in the 6 boats' fleet is Adam Minoprio NZL 5 points ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI. The report.

Finishing 2nd in the final race yesterday, Markus Wieser GER sailing for the Ukraine, is the overall winner of the GP Guyader 3 points ahead of Thomas Müller GER. Marcus Brennecke GER finished 3rd among the 58 teams. The ranking list and the final report (French).

The Yngling Swiss Championship continued yesterday on Lake Thoune with three more races. Today - the final day with two heats on the program - will be crucial for the title between Thorsten Schutt GER and Klaus Diem AUT just one point behind. The 3rd-ranked Thomas Beck SUI follows with a backlog of already 10 points. The results.

The H-Boat Swiss Championship ended yesterday with the races 5 and 6 again in rain and unconstant winds. Sven Holzer GER and his team are the 2013 Swiss Champions ahead of Oskar Koch SUI and Christian Fierz SUI with their teams. The final rankings.

Tributes from around the world are pouring in for British Olympic hero and double Olympic medalist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who was tragically killed when Artemis Racing team's AC72 capsized on San Francisco Bay on Thursday afternoon. The America's-Cup-Website. Around the globe, minutes of silence were held in memoriam of the very popular and successful Starboat sailor, such as at Olympic Garda in Italy or the Star-Trophy on Lake Uri Switzerland.
The reason for the accident is still under investigation. Fact is, that 'Team Oracle' stopped their training prematurely because of the freshening breeze. The 'Artemis AC72' capsized in a bear-away-manoeuvre but is is not yet clear, whether a damage at the AC72 caused the turn-over or the turn-over damaged the multihull. The 'Artemis' AC72 had previously shown some performance and structural problems and was during quite some time ashore for a modification process before being launched again a few days ago. AC management and the Californinan Authorities have started their investigations. The report.
The Olympic success of the duo Ian Percy/Andrew Simpson GBR has also been the history of a long-lasting close friedship since the early Optimist days. On the occasion of the English Championship of the Starboats in January, one of the last video interviews including Andrew Simpson GBR was recorded.

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. 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 only Swiss sailing yesterday were Stéphanie Rossé/Michael Gloor SUI in the four Nacra-17 races off Malcesine/Lake Garda. No improvement in the rankings was possible and they remain on rank 15. The results.

Sad and grey was the weather as was the mood among the 60 starboat sailors learning that Andrew Bart Simpson GBR has left us in his best years in a fatal accident with the AC72 Artemis on Frisco Bay, and the participants were with him in a minute of silence. The ones that met him on the race course will never forget his open and friendly approach to anybody.
Much rain welcomed the 26 teams from 3 nations at the mountain-surrounded Lake Uri in Central Switzerland, and there was no chance for the traditional thermal breeze to build up. After some waiting hours, a surprisingly steady Westerly wind filled in and allowed to sail a race late in the afternoon in a 2 bft breeze. Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER won the race ahead of Christoph Burger/Renato Marazzi SUI and Jürg Wittich/Felix Trachsel SUI. The results (PDF) and the video.

Only the windsurfer were sailing yesterday on the Ijssel-Meer. Superior winner in the RS:X was Matthjs Van t'Hoff NED with four bullets. In the Techno 293, Sam Wennekes NED is on top.
All ranking lists and the event-website.

The foul weather delayed racing at the Skud-18 and Access European Championships on Lake Constance to the late afternoon yesterday. The Paralympic Bronze medalists Alexandra Rickham/Niki Birrell GBR were the expected winners in both races of the SKUD-18 and lead ahead of Gualandris/Zanetti ITA and Cantelejo/Villa ESP. Also two heats were sailed by the Access 303 double, where four SUI-teams lead the rankings among the 24 teams. Joshua Rothenhäusler/Dominique Scheller SUI, day ranks 1 and 2 are on top. All other results and the event-website.

Good conditions to complete two races prevailed on Lake Zurich yesterday, and this inspite of the rain. Race 4 early in the morning in a slackening wind went in favor of Marco Vogelsang and his crew. After some warming up ashore, racing was resumed in the afternoon in a fresh 3-4 bft breeze with two general recalls. Winner of race 5 was finally Tom Löfsted YCAs, the overall leader after 5 heats is Alain Marchand SCStM two points ahead of Daniel Schroff YCK and another two points of Christoph Renker RCO. The results.

Three races were sailed yesterday on Lake Thoune in good Westerly wind conditions. Thorsten Schutt GER and his team are the new leaders closely followed by Klaus Diem AUT. Still in the race for the title remain the two locals Thomas Beck SUI and Rico Gregorini SUI on the ranks 3 and 4. The results.

Rain and light winds also on Lake Traunsee, and only late in the afternoon, two races could be sailed. Each of the 6 teams completed two heats, as the damaged third GC32 had been repaired in the meantime. Flavio Marazzi SUI and his team took the overall lead thanks to a race win. The report and the videos.

Inspite of rain and unconstant local winds on the Lucerne arm of Lake Lucerne, the 4th race of the H-Boat Swiss Championship could be completed in an average 2 bft breeze. Again, it was the GER GER 1486 Holzer team followed by SUI 453 Christian Fierz. Clear leaders in the overall rankings (PDF) are therefore Sven Holzer GER and his team, followed by Christian Fierz SUI and Oskar Koch SUI on the ranks 2 and 3 of the 17 teams.

Artemis Racing crewman Andrew "Bart" Simpson, a British double Olympic medalist, died yesterday when the team's AC72 catamaran capsized while training on San Francisco Bay. Simpson was one of the 11-man crew aboard. All other crewmembers were successfully rescued. Simpson GBR who joined the team a few month ago, was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost. Officials believe he was trapped underwater for about 10 to 15 minutes. Sadly this is the first confirmation of the concerns that the AC72 racing machines are admittedly very spectacular, but at the same time also extremely hazardous. Helmsman of 'Artemis' is either Loïck Peyron FRA or Nathan Outteridge AUS. The report on the America's Cup Website and a video.

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. 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. 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.
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.
All ranking lists, the daily report and the video of the day.

Manon Kivell-Luther on rank 13 in the Lasers Radial is the best ranked Swiss. Nigina Römer SUI follows on rank 18, Fiona Testuz SUI is 43rd. In the 470 men, the development teams Philipp Erni/Stephan Zurfluh SUI, now on rank 14, Fabrice and Guillaume Rigot SUI 20th and Julian Flessati/Tobias Rüdlinger SUI 24th are sailing on the level of the Olympians Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI on rank 17. In the Nacra-17 are Stéphanie Rossé/Michael Gloor SUI now on rank 14. The event-website.

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.

Three races were sailed yesterday on the first day of the traditional Dutch Youth Regatta on the Ijssel-Meer. A Swiss is on top of the Optimists (409 participants) with Wolf Van Cauwenberghe SUI ahead of Lennert Steelandt BEL and David Lucan AUT. Deike Bornemann GER as 5th is the best girl. First in the younger Optimist Benjamins is Igit Citak TUR. Timo Gruis NED is on top of the Lasers 4.7. 44 participants. Emma Plaeschert BEL is on top of the Lasers Radial (42 participants). Floris van de Werken/Lars van Stekelenborg NED clearly lead in the 420s with three bullets. Jennifer Poret/Lucie Scheiwiller FRA follow on rank 2. 27 teams. In the 29ers, an Indian boat is on top with Kelapanda Ganapathy/Varun Thakkar IND. All results and the event-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 on day two of the Dragon GP Guyader at Douarnenez. Finishing 3rd, Marcus Brennecke GER took the overall lead ahead of Thomas Müller GER and Yewgenij Braslavets UKR. The ranking list.

The 4th International Swiss Championship of the Esse 850 class began yesterday in the bay of Rapperswil on the upper end of Lake Zurich in sunshine and a light Westerly breeze. Three perfect races were sailed, but the light wind shifts were very challenging for the teams. Three different boats crossed the line as winner: Max Juchli with his two sons took race 1, Alain Marchand was on top of the 2nd heat and Daniel Schroff dominated race 3. Leader after the first day is Alain
Marchand with 'OTTOCINQUE' ahead of Christoph Renker and Daniel Schroff with 'Sail NORTH'. The results (PDF).

Two races were sailed yesterday on the first day of the Yngling Swiss Championship on Lake Thoune. Thomas Beck TYC is the first leader one point ahead of the three tied teams of Katrin Barth YCS, Klaus Diem AUT and Thomas Kristiansen SCH. 27 boats from Switzerland, Germany and Austria participate. The results.

Three races were sailed on day one of the International H-Boat Swiss Championship 2013 on Lake Lucerne. Good sailing conditions prevailed and the day's leader is the team GER 1486 Holzer ahead of Team SUI 531 Koch. 17 boats from Switzerland and Germany participate. The results (PDF).

The six teams at the Austria Cup - with only two sailable boats left - sailed two Round Robins on the second day of the event. Adam Minoprio NZL, newcomer on a multihull, remained undefeated and took the lead ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI. The 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.

Best of the 8 Swiss boats on Lake Garda was as in Hyères Nigina Römer SUI in the Lasers Radial who is on position 13 even ahead of the world nbr 2 Isabelle Bertold CAN ! Manon Kivell-Luther SUI follows on rank 28, Fiona Testuz SUI is 43rd. The Swiss 470 hierarchy has been changed in the 470 men as the Swiss Olympians (and Italian Champions 2013) were challenged by the Swiss development teams. Fabrice and Guillaume Rigot SUI are the best ranked on the 15th place, thanks to a 5th position in the 3rd race. Only one point behind follow on rank 16 Philipp Erni/Stephan Zurfluh SUI, Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI are on rank 17 for the moment, closely followed by Julian Flessati/Tobias Rüdlinger SUI on rank 20. In the Nacra-17, Stéphanie Rossé/Michael Gloor SUI are on rank 13 of the 30 teams. The Event-Website.

The favorable conditions from last Tuesday were followed by a slack day with very little and unconstant winds and the drivers at the PWA Slalom were forced to stay ashore. The positions after three elimination rounds are in the men's category Alberto Menegatti ITA as first while in the women's category, Karin Jaggi SUI is in the lead. The PWA-website.

The second part of the Dragon Douarnenez competition began yesterday, after part one, the Trophée de Bretagne, with the surprising Tam Nguyen HKG as winner. Two races were sailed and the first leaders are Thomas Müller/Vincent Hösch/Michael Lipp GER. Marcus Brennecke GER and Victor Fogelson RUS with their teams follow on the ranks 2 and 3. The results. 58 teams from 15 nations participate. For the IMOCA Open 60, the CLass 40 and the M34, the GP Guyader is already over. As from tomorrow, the kitesurfers (a.o. with Alexandre Caizergues FRA) will start their competitions. All results and the report of the day.

Designed in the Netherlands and built in Dubai, a new 32 foot one-design-catamaran has come to live for the first time in a World premiere on Lake Traun. Six teams have declared their interest so far, sharing the three multihulls constructed up to now. Short races and a distance race have been on the program. The prevailing 8-10 kn breeze was ideal for the mostly newcomers to catamaran sailing. After 4 duels - one cat hat to stay ashore due to a damage - the young AEZ team with Max Trippolt AUT leads ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI, who has the firm intention to join this class. The report, the results and the video of the day.

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.

As every year, the Grand Prix Guyader is a wild mix of all kinds of classes, be it the Dragons, the 'Tour-de-France'-class M34, the Class 40 Offshore Racer or the IMOCA Open 60, not to forget Kite-Surfing, Stand-Up-Paddeling and even Kajak ! Rather a surprise is the first position in the Drasgons by Tam Nguyen HKG leading ahead of Alexander Schmid RUS and Thomas Müller GER. Hugo Stenbek SWE starting again for Switzerland follows on rank 5. In the M34, the experienced 'Courrier Dunkerque' mit Daniel Souben FRA is on top ahead of the newcomers 'Groupama' (Franck Cammas FRA and 'Sodebo' (Damien Iehl FRA). First in the Class 40 are Sébastien Rogues FRA, in the IMOCA Open 60, the Vendée Globe-proven 'Groupe Bel' (Kito de Pavant FRA) and 'Maitre Coq' (Jérémy Beyou FRA). Jörg Riechers GER ('mare') follows in his first Open-60-regatta on rank 3. The event-website.

The European Championships of the Paralympic SKUD-18 and the Access-class begins today on Lake Constance, boats-types that are specifically suited for handicapped teams. Among the participants are the Paralympic medalists Alexandra Rickham/Niki Birell GBR in the SKUD 18, where for the first time since a long period, the Swiss Boat of Patrick Parker/Philipp Moerch SUI participates. In total 70 boats are on the entry lists unqqd die Event-Website.

Light winds in the morning and an unsteady, shifting seabreeze in the afternoon made it impossible to have some more runs at the slalom world cup in Korea. After the first heat Karin Jaggi SUI in the women's competition and Alberto Menegatti ITA for the men are leading the rankings. More news on the PWA-website.

17 teams participated on Lake Ossiach at the traditional 'Graf Lodron Trophy'. Four races were sailed in mainly light conditions. Victory went to Albert Sturm/Tobias Haring AUT ahead of Julian Kircher/Martin Dittrich. On equal points Heimo Schlagbauer/Walter Schlagbauer completed the podium - see the complete results and read the full report.

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 German Starboat Championship on Lake Moehn ended yesterday with a surprise. In a puffy West wind, the veteran Alex Hagen/Marko Hasche GER won the first race of the day and added a second place in the last regatta, replacing the leading Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER on top, just one point ahead. Johannes Babendererde/Manuel Voigt GER complete the podium. 29 teams from 3 nations, among them Tennigkeit/Heike Schöller SUI as 29th. The final rankings (PDF) and a TV report.

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.

Just one race was sailed on the last day of the French Starboat Championship, that had no influence of the podium of the event. Martin and Yves Tenconi FRA were the winners ahead of Camille and Michelle Dreyfuss FRA. Mercier/Bernault FRA finished on rank 3. Urs Infanger/Oleg Chtechtine SUI follow on rank 4 after an impressive last heat. Vincent and Sébastien Guidoux SUI progressed as well and are ranked 5th among the 26 teams. Unfortunately, the final ranking list has not yet been posted on the Event-Website.

The 'Round Belle Ile', a rounding of the little island off La Trinité, has become a big festival of sailing during the past years. Over 500 yacht, from the modern high-tech-racers to sailing fish cutters were present this year. Winner in light winds and sun was the MOD-70-Trimaran 'Spindrift Racing' of Dona Bertarelli SUI with Yann Guichard FRA steering finishing after 3 hrs and 50 min. The best monohull was the TP52 'Paprec Recyclage' of Stéphane Névé FRA. The report and the impressive pictures.

The semi finals were cancelled yesterday due to lack of wind, and the rankings after the two Round Robins were decisive to select the 4 finalists. Eric Monnin YCI was the 2-1 winner against Roger Stocker in the Final, while Alain Stettler RCO defeated Joni Steinlein GER 2-1 in the Petite Final. The results.

Very busy racing on the Swiss lakes over the past weekend thanks to a alternating Westerly and North-Easterly, depending on the region. Most of the results have been posted on the respective website. Our section Sailing Switzerland provides the summaries and links.

The Moth European Championship ended yesterday on Sicily ITA with two moderate wind races that just permitted foiling. A class of his own in these conditions was Chris Rashley GBR, winning the Champion's title for the third time in a row. The only serious opponent was Michael Lennon GBR taking Silver 3 points behind. Another Englishman, Jason Belben GBR, won Bronze. The best non-Brit was Pablo Arandia ESP on the 6th place. The ranking list, the official report (in Ital.), the video and the report (Engl.) by Chris Rast SUI/USA.

The fog over Qingdao disappeard late in the afternoon and only four short races could be sailed in a barely 5 kn wind. Leigh McMillan GBR with 'The Wave - Muscat' won two heats and took the overall lead, replacing 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA on top hurt by a collision with the second Swiss X-40 'Realteam' of Jerôme Clerc SUI. Before the last double-points races today, 'Alinghi' has a backlog on 'The Wave' of 12 points. The report and the results.

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 Yngling Springtime Championship 2013 on Lake Garda ended yesterday with the fivefold victory of the Dutch Team. Jan Deen NED and his team defended the first place tied with Lieuwe Gietema NED as 2nd. Marten Jaamin NED finished 3rd. The best non-Dutch on rank 6 is Rudi Mayr AUT. The final rankings.

As expected, Eric Monnin YCI and his team have been dominating the Volvo Match Race Cup off Romanshorn. After two Round Robins, he leads the overall rankings undefeated with a 12-0 score. Roger Stocker ZYC follows with 9-3 wins. With 7-5 each, Alain Stettler RCO and Joni Steinlein GER are also qualified for today's semi finals. Monnin encounters Steinlein, Stettler meets Stocker. 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.

After a windless Friday, the first races of the French Starboat Championship were sailed yesterday on Lake Annecy. Five heats were completed and Martin and Yves Tenconi FRA are the clear leaders with four race wins, followed by Camille and Michel Dreyfuss FRA and Mercier/Bernault FRA on the ranks 2 and 3. 26 participants. The results (PDF).

3 - 4 races were sailed yesterday at the Coupe Farewell on Lake Neuchâtel in good wind conditions. Leading in the M2-Cats is Yvan Bourgnon on 'Valruz Création', the duel between the two Psaros 33 in the TCFX-classification went in favour of Philipp Durr and first in the TCF2-classification is Patrick Ducommun on his Farr 30. On top of the largest fleet with 15 participants, the TCF3-classification, is Jean-François De Cerjat with his Surprise. All results.

Since yesterday evening at 19 hrs CET, the participants of the two-person 125 miles race have been underway on Lake Geneva. No interims' results are available at this moment on the event-website.