The sports industry awards by BT Sports for 2019 has entries of the Ocean Race in three main categories. The nominations have been received for categories like social and sustainable development, the sport of cutting edge category as well as for community engagement. The nominations that have been received for 2017 to 2018 are record-breaking.
Last week, Shamin Abas sent one of the best PR people in the company, and probably one of the best invitations ever! Sting to perform exclusively for the guests in the “Private Preview”, Ferretti Group’s annual event in cooperation with the Yacht Club de Monaco. The investigation followed the next day with exclusive Ferretti Yacht sea trials off the Monte Carlo coast. I just had a few minutes to dream like the reality of the 500 things I should get to make this a reality and book a flight in 24 hours and of course how to pack. High-class problems I was aware of. It was not lost to me how decadent it all sounds and I sometimes have to experience these kinds of things it is not the norm.
The Port Phillip is where the action has kick-started for the Sail Melbourne International 2017 and day one was a really hot one. It was time for the Olympic classes to take the field on Day one of this event. The 2017 Sail Melbourne International will be on until December 3rd. The temperature for the first day of action was 35 degrees and it was a hot day in the waters for most of the sailors. The breeze in the morning was dull and the boats had to wait a long time for the ideal breeze to commence to get racing.
Almost all the Olympic classes were able to compete in two races despite the slow start of the event. The multi-hull sailors were lucky as they got a chance to complete three races. The windsurfers were the ones who had to be content with just one race for the opening day.
American teams are expected to continue their stronghold at the 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600. The 2018 edition is set to begin on February 19 with a record number of sailors and yacht set to partake.
There are 13 American teams featuring in the event in Antigua, West Indies. George David’s Rambler 88 is one of the favourites to clinch the top prize. Peter Aschenbrenner’s Paradox and George Sakellaris’ Proteus are also experienced teams expected to keep the American flag flying high in the Caribbean islands.
France, Great Britain, and Australia are also expected to rival the American teams. Ireland is another top contender with numerous sides already in Antigua, including Afloat Sailor of the Year Conor Fogerty. For the past ten years, American sides have always been dominant. They hold the monohulls and multihulls record and have won the trophy six times.
Maxi Rambler 88 is back in the race this year with George David as captain. David has won three line honours and is very experienced. When he was with Rambler 100, he won overall under IRC in 2011, setting the monohull race record at 40 hours 20 minutes 2 seconds. The team is one of the favourites especially with their award winning and experienced teams in every department. Rambler 88 has three-time America’s Cup winner Brad Butterworth on their team.
Debutants Ludde Ingvall’s Australian Maxi CQS and Philip Rann’s British Maxi La Bête are other sides that pose a threat to Rambler 88.
Sakellaris will rival his compatriot for his unprecedented third RORC Caribbean trophy IRC overall. The team also has an all-star cast including Stu Bannatyne on leave from Dongfeng team in the Volvo Ocean Race.
Nigel Irens designed the 63ft American trimaran with 38 knots top speed in 2013 for the Paradox. Aschenbrenner will be leading the team and hoping to clinch a prize in multihulls.