Monthly Archives: December 2015

VESTAS Sailrocket 2 Vs Hidroptere. “The magic mile” world record*

by sailingcruisingscotlandtv.com

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVIj5TUSKE]

Two days after finally smashing the Outright world speed sailing record, the Vestas Sailrocket 2 team decide to tackle the ‘Nautical Mile’ world record which was held by the mighty ‘Hydroptere’. It was always going to be an interesting challenge for the VSR2 team as the speed course that they sail on in Walvis Bay, Namibia is defined by a beach which is exactly 1.04 miles long. This requires them to launch the boat out in more exposed waters and try and get up to as high a speed as they dare in rough water before they hit the start of the mile. At the end of the course they also fire out into rough water and have to bring the boat to a stop. It’s hard on the boat. The beach is not straight but has a slight curve in it . The mile is measured by TRIMBLE GPS equipment in a straight line so pilot Paul Larsen needs to balance between sailing in close to the beach for the flat water… and sailing the straightest and hence shortest distance between A and B. In this run, with winds that averaged just under 25 knots, The team smashed not only the nautical mile record* by over 5 knots averaging over 55.3 knots… but also raised their own ‘Outright speed’ record* to 59.38 knots over 500 meters hitting a peak speed of 64.78 knots (74.55 mph, 120 kph). For Larsen it was the perfect payback for 10 years chasing ‘the perfect reach’. Speed sailing had paid him back in full and a dream was realised.
VSR2 performed exactly as predicted by the Sailrocket design team of Malcolm Barnsley and Chris Hornzee Jones at AEROTROPE. The spec for the boat was to be able to hit 65 knots in 26 knots of wind in order to average around 60 knots.
* All records subject to WSSRC ratification
Directed, filmed and edited by Ben Holder.

Oracle Team USA at Amlin International Moth Regatta

by OracleRacingTeam

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unIa-deOnS8]

Several ORACLE TEAM USA sailors will take part in the International Moth regatta next week. The high-performance, one-man, foiling dinghy, gives an opportunity for all of the sailors to develop their flight skills. And next week, the competition will be many of the best Moth sailors in the world. Here’s a preview.
(Video by Javier Salinas / ORACLE TEAM USA)

Kite vs. Moth vs. Nacra F20 FCS vs. Marstrom 32

by Waterlust

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfBumbfPpnM]

The long-awaited sequel to the ultimate sailing showdown. Watch the battle between a hydrofoil kitesurfer, Moth, Nacra F20 FCS and Marstrom 32 as they battle for short course supremacy.

Athletes:
Kite – Zack Marks
Moth – Jonny Goldsberry
Nacra – John Casey & Colin Page
M32 – Team Bronco

PIPE DREAM

by DC Shoes

[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDi9uFcD7XI]

DC presents Robbie “Maddo” Maddison’s “Pipe Dream,” giving the world a chance to witness history being made as Maddo rides his dirt bike on the powerful and iconic waves of Tahiti. From his helmet to motocross boots, Maddo was dressed for FMX when he took his dirt bike into the unchartered saltwater terrain of the Pacific Ocean in French Polynesia.

 

Franck Cammas recovering after accident

by americascup.com

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Franck Cammas, the skipper of Groupama Team France, is recovering following surgery on his leg after a training accident.

Cammas was two-boat training with his team in foiling GC32 catamarans when he lost his balance and fell overboard. His leg was struck by the rudder. The speed of the boat, combined with the fine edge of the foil, resulted in a double break of the fibia-tibia in his right leg.

He was transported to shore by RIB and then to hospital by helicopter. Specialists performed surgery on Monday night and on Tuesday the news came that the surgery was a success. Franck has a long road ahead of physical rehabilitation, but he has been assured by doctors he will not lose the use of his foot.

On Tuesday morning, Cammas was already asking about his team, anxious that they should resume training. He also expressed gratitude for all of the well-wishes sent his way.

While the injury isn’t expected to significantly impact the Groupama Team France campaign for the America’s Cup, it does put an end to Franck’s bid for a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Franck Cammas Seriously Injured

by Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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Quiberon Bay, Brittany, France (November 30, 2015) – The French skipper Franck Cammas was wounded in the right leg off Quiberon in western France during training in preparing for the America’s Cup 2017.

The accident took place this afternoon around 14:00 in the bay of Quiberon. “In a wind of around twenty knots, and while he was at the helm, Cammas went overboard and struck the rudder of his right leg while the hydrofoil catamaran was launched at full speed” said his team in a statement.

With a serious foot injury, an open fracture at the bottom of the right tibia, he was immediately rescued by the safety boat, which accompanied the two GC32’s during team training, and airlifted by helicopter to Nantes. At 18h, the French skipper was in the operating room “or is about to be there”, said a relative.

Cammas, 42 years old, one of France’s most talented sailors, is the skipper of Groupama Team France challenging for the 35th America’s Cup event to be held in 2017 in Bermuda. The GC32 are hydrofoil catamarans and used by the French challenge to train. The Cup itself will be sailed on the AC50 catamaran hydrofoil, about fifteen meters long.