Travis Gregory on the Ultimate 20 North Americans
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Travis Gregory on the 2024 Ultimate 20 North Americans Sail-World checked in with Travis Gregory, who serves as president of the Ultimate 20 class, via email, to learn more about the class's 2024 North American Championships.
Posted on 17 Jul Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
An update Q&A with Ambre Hasson ahead of the Sables - Les Açores - Sables 2024 Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, as she works towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the third of four interviews with the American Classe Mini skipper as she progresses through four double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 16 Jul SailGP Championships & looking ahead to Paris 2024
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current North American racing news One of the most interesting storylines in SailGP's Season 4 has been the question of whether the Australia SailGP Team could clench a fourth-straight season championship. Instead, bragging rights went to the Spanish.
Posted on 16 Jul Marnie McLagan and Diane Looney on the H Class
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Marnie McLagan and Diane Looney about the 2024 H Class Championships Sail-World checked in with Marnie McLagan and Dianne Looney, who serve as the Edgartown Yacht Club's H12 Fleet co-captains, via email, to learn more about this exciting and historic regatta.
Posted on 11 Jul Sailing accomplishments from Bermuda to Alaska
by David Schmidt
And looking forward to the Paris 2024 Games As the United States prepares to celebrate its 248th birthday, the sailing world is also rife with accomplishments to celebrate and world-class events to look forward to.
Posted on 2 Jul Gaby Cumbie on the StABYC's recovery efforts
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Gaby Cumbie on the St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club's recovery efforts Sail-World checked in with Gaby Cumbie, who is a member of the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, via email, to learn more about the club's post-fire recovery efforts.
Posted on 2 Jul Charlie Usher on the Firecracker and M15 regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Charlie Usher about the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta Sail-World checked in with Charlie Usher, who serves as event chair of the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.
Posted on 20 Jun Will Jones and Justin Barnes on their 49er dreams
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Will Jones and Justin Barnes about their 49er campaign for the 2024 Olympics Sail-World checked in with Will Jones and Justin Barnes, who are representing Canada in the 49er event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about their campaign.
Posted on 18 Jun A look at the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at North American racing When it comes to classic 600-mile bluewater races, the biennial Newport Bermuda Race is one of the world's great offshore contests.
Posted on 18 Jun Bill Souter on the latest from MarsKeel
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Bill Souter on the latest from MarsKeel Sail-World checked in with Bill Souter, who serve as MarsKeel's technical keel specialist, to learn more about MarsKeel's keel-building operations and business.
Posted on 11 Jun Reflecting on a great spring season
by David Schmidt
Celebrating a great spring racing season Things happen a bit differently in the Pacific Northwest. Take our sailing calendar. While the season is in full swing in most parts of North America, the bigger races on Puget Sound wrapped up with last weekend's Blake Island Race.
Posted on 4 Jun David Collins on the 2024 J/111 North Americans
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with David Collins about the 2024 J/111 North American Championship Sail-World checked in with David Collins, who is serving as co-chair of the 2024 J/111 North American Championship, via email, to learn more about this championship-level keelboat regatta.
Posted on 4 Jun John Proctor on the Lake Erie Thistle Championship
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with John Proctor about the 2024 Lake Erie Thistle District Championship Sail-World checked in with John Proctor, who serves as regatta chair of the 2024 Lake Erie Thistle District Championship, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.
Posted on 30 May Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
An update Q&A with Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, as she works towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the second of four interviews with the American Classe Mini skipper as she progresses through six double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 25 May Introducing Paris 2024 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team
by David Schmidt
Celebrating and introducing the sailors off to Marseille shortly For fans of U.S. Olympic sailing, the past several quadrennials have been a nosebleed, at best. Despite this history, however, the USA has fielded a young-but-hopefully-competitive team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Posted on 21 May James Clarkson on the 2024 I14 Nationals
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with James Clarkson on the 2024 International 14 U.S. Nationals Sail-World checked in with James Clarkson, president of the International 14 class, via email, to learn more about this high-level skiff regatta.
Posted on 14 May Celebrating throughlines in sailing leadership
by David Schmidt
And the sailing world's newest hero Back in mid-March, Sail-World celebrated singlehanded American skipper Cole Brauer as the sailing world's newest hero. Now, I'm now happy to report that we have another sailing hero, albeit one who carries a British passport.
Posted on 7 May The Lewin-LaFrance sisters on their Olympic dreams
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance on their 49erFX campaign for Paris 2024 Sail-World checked in with sisters Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance, who are representing Canada in the 49erFX event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about their campaign.
Posted on 7 May Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton on the 70th annual Mug
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton on the 70th annual Mug Race Sail-World checked in with Donna Mohr and Jon Hamilton, who serve as race organizers, via email, to learn more about this 38-nautical-mile river race.
Posted on 1 May A lesson in staying cool, calm, and collected
by David Schmidt
Staying cool, calm, and collected on the 2024 Blakely Rock Benefit Race The table was set for a feast: a 12-14 knot northerly combed Puget Sound, accompanied by blue skies and sunshine. But an hour before of our start for the Blakely Rock Benefit Race, DC power stopped flowing from the boat's lithium-ion batteries.
Posted on 23 Apr An interview with Colligo Marine's John Franta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A on their involvement with the Tally Ho Sail-World checked in with John Franta, founder, co-owner, and lead engineer at Colligo Marine, to learn more about the company's latest happenings, and to find out more about their involvement with the Tally Ho project.
Posted on 23 Apr Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin on the SCIR
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin on the 2024 St Croix International Regatta Sail-World checked in with Mike McCarty and Julie San Martin, who serve as the regatta's sailing chair and continuity coordinator (respectively), via email, to learn more.
Posted on 16 Apr Olympic qualifications and athlete selection
by David Schmidt
Country qualifications and athlete selection ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics In January, I wrote about 2024 being a year with an embarrassment of sailing riches. Last week's Trofea S.A.R. Princesa Sofia Regatta helped determine the American, Canadian, and Mexican sailors who represent their countries at this summer's Olympics.
Posted on 9 Apr Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Ambre Hasson about her Classe Mini campaign Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, who is working towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the first of four interviews with the Hasson as she progresses through six double- or singlehanded 2024 events.
Posted on 2 Apr Nikola Girke on her 2024 Olympic Campaign
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Nikola Girke on her 2024 Olympic Campaign Sail-World checked in with Nikola Girke, who is working to represent Canada in the Women's iQFoil event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about her campaign ahead of this week's critical Princess Sofia Regatta.
Posted on 1 Apr SailGP, Ultims, and Global Solo Challenge
by David Schmidt
For a two-day regatta, a lot of action went down at last weekend's SailGP Christchurch event For a two-day regatta, a lot of action went down at last weekend's SailGP Christchurch event (March 22 and 23), which took place on the waters of New Zealand's Lyttelton Harbour.
Posted on 26 Mar Pat Bailey on the St. Thomas International Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Pat Bailey on the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta Sail-World checked in with Pat Bailey, who is the co-director of the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta and a longtime regatta veteran, via email, to learn more about the 50th edition of this classic Caribbean spring regatta.
Posted on 26 Mar Ryan Jordan on the 2024 Space Coast Invitational
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Ryan Jordan on the 2024 Space Coast Invitational Sail-World checked in with Ryan Jordan, who is serving as the Indian River Yacht Club's fleet representative for the 2024 Space Coast Invitational, via email, to learn more about this One Design regatta.
Posted on 19 Mar Bill Johnsen on the Sarasota Bay Multihull Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Bill Johnsen on the 2024 Sarasota Bay Multihull Regatta Sail-World checked in with Bill Johnsen, regatta chair of the 2024 Sarasota Bay Multihull Regatta, via email, to learn more about this warm-water multihull regatta.
Posted on 12 Mar Cole Brauer's proud circumnavigation
by David Schmidt
Cole Brauer finishes the Global Solo Challenge at first light Years ago, a mentor told me that one of the biggest problems facing American sailing was a lack of heroes. Cole Brauer, the first American woman to sail alone and nonstop around the world via the three great capes, rewrites this script.
Posted on 12 Mar Tom Davis on the North Sails' new cruising sails
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Tom Davis about the North Sails' newest cruising cloth Sail-World checked in with Tom Davis, North Sails' commercial director, to learn more about RENEW, the company's newest and most sustainable panel laminate cruising sailcloth.
Posted on 5 Mar Celebrating offshore accomplishments
by David Schmidt
Global Solo Challenge and the Arkéa Ultim Challenge endgames Back in January, I wrote about 2024 having an embarrassment of riches, and the first of these dividends have arrived, courtesy of the Global Solo Challenge and the Arkéa Ultim Challenge.
Posted on 27 Feb 2024 505 Midwinter Championship interview
by David Schmidt
We talk with Ethan Bixby about the 2024 505 Midwinters Sail-World checked in with Ethan Bixby, event chair of the 2024 505 Midwinter Championship, to learn more about this competitive, warm-water One Design regatta.
Posted on 20 Feb Traffic at the Horn, ocean heartache, Rolex Awards
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt's latest North American racing newsletter A few weeks ago, I spilled a considerable amount of e-ink in this newsletter describing the embarrassment of riches that 2024 is presenting to the sailing world, and this has been on full display on the waters surrounding Cape Horn this past week.
Posted on 13 Feb 2024 Sarasota Sunshine Sunfish Regatta interview
by David Schmidt
We talk with Mary Ellen Brown about the 2024 Sarasota Sunshine Sunfish Regatta Sail-World checked in with Mary Ellen Brown, event chair of the 2024 Sarasota Sunshine Sunfish Regatta, to learn more about this warm-water One Design regatta.
Posted on 8 Feb Eddie Cox on the Melges 15 class
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Eddie Cox on the state of the Melges 15 class Sail-World checked in with Melges's Eddie Cox, via email, to learn more about the company's latest grin-inducing One Design.
Posted on 6 Feb Sarah Douglas on her 2024 Olympic Campaign
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Sarah Douglas on her 2024 Olympic Campaign Sail-World checked in with Sarah Douglas, who is campaigning to represent Canada in the ILCA 6 class at the Paris 2024 Olympics, via email, to learn more about her program ahead of this summer's Games.
Posted on 1 Feb Ultims, Global Solo Challenge, ILCA 7s
by David Schmidt
The Arkea Ultim Challenge, Global Solo Challenge Cape Horn roundings, ILCA 7 Worlds This year's El Nino cycle has led to big melt-offs at Pacific Northwest ski hills. Normally, this is cause for the blues, but I've found myself so engrossed with the various unfurling offshore events that that my lack of powder turns hasn't seemed so bad.
Posted on 30 Jan A look at three offshore contests
by David Schmidt
The Arkea Ultim Challenge, the Global Solo Challenge, and the Ocean Globe Race 2023 Imagine that you're sailing aboard a vessel that can outrun the wind. Forget waiting for big-picture seasonal changes—instead, you can employ a bit of weather routing and gain greater control over your destiny. Welcome to the Arkea Ultim Challenge.
Posted on 16 Jan Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship Sail-World checked in with Justin Ahearn, who serves as sailing director of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, which is hosting the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship, via email, to learn more.
Posted on 16 Jan Travis Yates on the Sarasota Viper Winter Series
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Travis Yates on the second 2024 Sarasota Viper Winter Series Event Sail-World checked in with Travis Yates, regatta chair of the 2024 Sarasota Viper Winter Series, via email, to learn more about this competitive One Design series.
Posted on 10 Jan Lisa Herendeen on the 2024 Bluster Regatta
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Lisa Herendeen on the 2024 Bluster Regatta Sail-World checked in with Lisa Herendeen, regatta chair of Hobie Division 8's 2024 Bluster Regatta, via email, to learn more about this warm-water multi-hulls event.
Posted on 9 Jan Brendan Huffman on the Del Rey YC's William Berger
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Brendan Huffman on the Del Rey YC's William Berger Series Sail-World checked in with Brendan Huffman, who serves as race-program manager at Del Rey Yacht Club, which is hosting the William Berger Series, via email, to learn more about this classic race series.
Posted on 3 Jan Looking ahead to a year full of sailing riches
by David Schmidt
From the Arkea Ultim Challenge to the Vendee Globe, 2024 promises to be a big year The sailing world is about to enjoy an embarrassment of riches. This is because 2024 is an Olympic year, an America's Cup year, and a Vendee Globe year. But first, get ready for the Arkea Ultim Challenge.
Posted on 2 Jan Erden Eruç on preparing for the 2026 Golden Globe
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Erden Eruç about his preparations for the 2026 Golden Globe Race I checked in with Erden Eruç, an 18-time Guinness Book of World Records holder and high-level ocean rower (and my longtime friend), via email, to learn more about his ongoing preparations to compete in the 2026 Golden Globe Race.
Posted on 2 Jan Graham Biehl on racing two-handed to Hobart
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Graham Biehl on racing doublehanded in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race Sail-World checked in with two-time Olympic sailor Graham Biehl to learn more about his plans to race two-handed in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Posted on 19 Dec 2023 Solstice celebrations, offshore contests
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt rounds up the racing news There are a lot of great holiday traditions in the world, all of which deserve celebration and recognition. Even my own strange little nod to the annual “low tide”.
Posted on 19 Dec 2023 Keiran Searle on Melges 20 class news
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Keiran Searle on the latest developments in the Melges 20 class Sail-World checked in with Keiran Searle, class manager of the Melges 20 class, via email, to get the latest downloads from this fast-and-fun One Design class.
Posted on 14 Dec 2023 Nikole Barnes-Bargehr and Ted McDonough talk 470s
by David Schmidt
A Q&A with Nikole Barnes-Bargehr and Ted McDonough about their 470 campaign Sail-World checked in with Nikole Barnes-Bargehr and Ted McDonough to learn more about their campaign to represent the USA in the Mixed Two Person Dinghy event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Posted on 13 Dec 2023 SailGP changes, AC racing, Ultim dreams
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt rounds up the racing news While the world is enjoying some fantastic offshore racing, there's also been great inshore action at SailGP and in America's Cup circles.
Posted on 5 Dec 2023