Tweet from the VESTAS Sailrocket 2 team, 16 November 2012, 17:34:13:
That's it... We've smashed the arse off it! 59 knot average. Live from end of speed spot!
SailRev
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Website URL: http://surfcityracing.org
Congrats to the crew of the Vestas Sailrocket! The fastest sailbot in the world!
2008:
Yesterday:
Today: See below.
Enjoy your weekend!
This just in from the Vestas Sailrocket Team!
Pending ratification from the World Sailing Speed Record Council, The Sailrocket has reportedly taken out the standing sailing speed record of 55.56 knots, held by kite surfer Rob Douglas. Check out this post from Project Leader Paul Larson's blog. You can feel the emotion!
Calling friends, team members... all are family tonight.
I'm sitting here with great French champagne all around and smiling people. VESTAS Sailrocket 2 sits outside on the lawn shivering lightly in the decreasing breeze. She has the noble composure of a race winning horse that struts around wondering what all the fuss is about.
We are downloading the TRIMBLE data now. The great thing is that the GPS we use out there is set for a 18 second average... but at 59 knots we might not need that long. It said we did a 59.01 knot average... The TRIMBLE should be higher. I will let you know here when I know.
I think I'll drink some more Pol Roger... and wait.
Christ... I'm buzzing and I know it is just going to get better. I will have this for life now.
There it is 59.23 knot average fresh off the TRIMBLE. 62.53 peak.
Records subject to WSSRC ratification.
I'm signing out.
I have too many people to thank I don't know where to start.
I have to call mum and dad.
The happiest days!
Still more to come.
Paul.
Congrats Vestas Sailrocket Team!
The guys down in New Zealand just keep plugging away aboard their foiling AC72. So now with Artemis on the water, we have 3 sailing 72 footers with OTUSA being repaired, and everyone is waiting for the final entry...Team Korea. It's fun to watch, ain't it?
Check out this sucker foil across the Hauraki Gulf!
Courtesy of our friends at Pressure-Drop.
The SF Bay continues to be the AC sailing hot spot when yesterday Artemis Racing launched their AC72. The SailRev media team was lucky enough to witness this very first sail of the bright orange Artemis 72. We left the dock at 10, and headed to the South Bay to check the progress. The breeze was light, less than 10 knots, and the crew were taking cautious baby-steps as they untethered from the tow boats and set out on their own. The boat cruised along under its own power smoothly through the water, but never flew a hull or really got up to speed. In a post sail interview with Genny Tulloch, both Artemis CEO Paul Cayard and skipper Terry Hutchinson seemed pleased with the outcome.
Our SoCal friends aboard the amazing multi Afterburner sent it during the Ventura Fall Series race yesterday. The boat has a cool history, check it out here. Check out this vid!
Back in May, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) voted to remove windsurfing from the Olympics, and instate kitesurfing. Some argued that kites didn't really have the infrastructure in place that makes a legitimate class, and needless to say, there were a lot of ruffled feathers. There was speculation that the original vote may have been made by mistake due to lagnuage differences, but still, the decision was made. After ISAF's 3 day annual meeting finished up in Dun Loaghaire, Ireland, it was apparent that the tables had turned on the kites. A press release from ISAF yesterday spelled it all out:
As defined in the Articles of ISAF, decisions at the General Assembly shall be taken by a simple majority of votes of those present and entitled to vote. There were 114 possible voters, including the ISAF President and Vice-Presidents.
After a lengthy debate the MNAs approved the first proposal which reinstated Men's and Women's Boards - RS:X.
ISAF Regulation 23.1.4 now reads:
Men's Board - RS:X
Women's Board - RS:X
Men's One Person Dinghy - Laser
Women's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial
Men's 2nd One Person Dinghy - Finn
Men's Skiff - 49er
Women's Skiff - 49erFX
Men's Two Person Dinghy - 470
Women's Two Person Dinghy - 470
Mixed Two Person Multihull - Nacra 17
No more kites! And who knows...maybe kites aren't ready for the big time yet? The decision raised the ire of avid kitesurfer Richard Branson who blogged:
A sad day for one of the best entertainment sports in the world today as kitesurfing has been removed from the Olympic programme for Rio 2016. Windsurfing has reclaimed its place in the Olympics at kitesurfing's expense, after the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) voted to reinstate it. It is a huge disappointment for all the kitesurfers worldwide who have been training hard since it was announced in May that kitesurfing was going to be in the Rio Olympics. What a shame too for all …
"To be honest, we were starting to feel pretty confident on the 72 until we saw the Oracle boat go over..." -Chris McAsey/ Grinder ETNZ
This press release was just sent to us by our friends that run the amazing Hydrofoiling multihull l'Hydroptere. Alain Thebault, JackO and the crew are some of the realest dudes in sailing that we have ever met, and we here at SailRev wish them the best of luck sorting out their sponsorship. If you've got connections with an American company that you would think might make a good sponsorship match, drop them a line. Read more about the Hydroptere program.
French naval defense group DCNS stops its support towards Hydroptere's oceanic program. Alain Thébault's hydrofoil trimaran, originally set to attempt the Transpac record this summer, had to post-pone her departure due to the absence of favorable weather windows. This new calendar doesn't meet with the group's expectations which does not have a market in the US.
Alain Thébault and his team thank DCNS whose support helped launch the 'flying boat' oceanic campaign. The team also acknowledges the work done by the group's engineers and by all those who have supported the project over the year.
"We are surprised and obviously disappointed but we remain hopeful. This is the first time a hydrofoiler attempts an ocean record. DCNS gave us the means to start the adventure and we will go all the way. The project demonstrated it can generate a great enthusiasm and we hope that this pioneering challenge, in which we strongly believe, will find new support in France or abroad", says Alain Thébault.
Supported by the Consul General of France in San Francisco, sailors Alain Thébault, Jacques Vincent, Jean Le Cam and Yves Parlier will create "Hydroptere Pacific", a Californian structure with the objective of encouraging potential American partners to be part of this adventure.
It's time to vote for World Yacht Racing's best sailing photo of the year via their FB Page, and let me tell you, there are some beauties!
Check out this one from our photog friend Christophe Favreau, whom we interviewed early this year. Check out the incredible offerings!
From WYR:
YACHT RACING IMAGE OF THE YEAR : MAKE YOUR CHOICE
You are invited to vote for your favourite yacht racing image on http://www.yachtracingimageoftheyear.com/
The 24 best photographs, chosen by the public, will be displayed during the 5th World Yacht Racing Forum from 11-12 December in Gothenburg, Sweden. Delegates from the Forum will then select the five photographs they consider as 2012’s best yacht racing images.
A professional and independent jury, made of personalities from the world of international yacht racing, including professional photographers and yacht racers, will then select the Yacht Racing Image of the Year 2012.
The winning photograph, and its author, will be celebrated during the World Yacht Racing Forum.
Get 'er done!
The team here at SailRev has been doing all kinds of sailing photo and video work for private clients lately, so we haven't been able to update the site for a few days. Luckily, our friends over at Pressure Drop snagged a few pics of the Artemis 72 launch! As soon as OTUSA glues Humpty back together from their yard sale, it will be incredible to see both boats sailing The Bay!
The wing was inserted and the boat christened today in Alameda...
It was a long tiresome day for the Artemis team, one which began before dawn. The hull moved to waters
edge in the darkness and loaded via crane slowly as the sun began to rise. By noon, the wing was attached
to the hull for the 1st time and the shore crew and tech team assured all was well for the Christening ceremony.
It was a brief, diligent affair with member of the Artemis Team in attendance, many children running about as parents
kept a watchful eye. The would be no smashing of a champagne bottle, no sir, after what has transpired in recent weeks,
shaking the bottle and spritzing the starboard hull would suffice just fine, thank you very much!
Check out more here!