2012
27
Aug 12
Aug 12
America’s Cup World Series San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States of America 37º39’02″N 122º12’07″W
09
Aug 12
Aug 12
NACIRA 67
Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, 41º05’07″N 9º34’50″E
The NACIRA 67 is a unique concept directly inspired from the latest evolutions in naval architecture and luxury design from the ocean-racing scene.
To make this happen highly experienced personalities such as Michel Desjoyeaux (twice Vendée Globe winner), young and talented French designers Axel de Beaufort and Michel Kermarec (one of the best aero-hydro dynamists worldwide) have worked hand in hand since 2010 to end up with this amazing sloop.
NACIRA 67, looking at the ratio, is the most powerful leisure yacht worldwide able to reach speeds in excess of 30 knots with a sea view from the dinner table on the cruising version… a new sailing life style!
http://www.nacira67.com
27
Jul 12
Jul 12
Alex Thomson Racing- Hugo Boss single-handed monohull transatlantic record
Lizard Point, England, United Kingdom, 49º56’43″N 5º12’20″W
British solo sailor, Alex Thomson has smashed the single-handed monohull transatlantic record, by more than 24 hours, crossing the finish line at Lizard Point, off Falmouth in Cornwall, in time to get back for the London Olympic Opening ceremony.
The 38 year old sailor crossed the line at 17:17GMT (18:17 BST) setting the new time at 8 days 22 hours 8 minutes, beating the previous record, subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, which had been held for 10 years.
“It has been a long few days,” said Alex. “The first half from New York was great with weather conditions in our favour, but things started to slow down the closer I got. But the wind has held out this morning and it’s so fantastic to have broken this record.”
Alex set sail from New York on July 17th at 19.09GMT to cover 2800 nautical miles in a quest to break the record for what is officially known as the ‘West to East Ambrose Lighthouse to Lizard Point Under 60ft Single-Handed Monohull Record, Male’, which sat at 10 days, 55 minutes and 19 seconds, and was set by Swiss sailor Bernhard Stamm 10 years ago.
His secondary aim was to get home in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in order to support Chairman and good friend, Sir Keith Mills.
“When I set off I had no idea if I was going to be able to do it. And it has been hard. Lack of sleep, broken instruments on the boat and constant exposure to the elements has really taken it out of me. But it’s such a good feeling to have beaten it by such a great margin,” said Alex.
But the record breaking achievement is only half of the story. Alex is in fact lining up to attempt to be the first Brit ever to win the gruelling single-handed round-the-world race, the Vendee Globe, leaving from France in November on board his 60ft monohull, HUGO BOSS. And this record breaking achievement puts him in good stead.
“This record attempt was also a training exercise for the Vendee Globe,” said Alex. “We felt this record attempt would put me under real pressure and stimulate race conditions and I have felt a real value in it.”
He is one of three British competitors who will take part in the non-stop, solo, unassisted round-the-world yacht race starting in Les Sables d’Olonne in France, on November 10th. Currently only 50% of attempts to complete the race have been successful in the race known as the ‘Everest of sailing’.
Lara Ellsworth-Jones, PR Manager, Alex Thomson Racing
05
Jul 12
Jul 12
Hydroptère – Aerial
La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France 43º10’06″N 5º38’55″E
Photo assignment for Red Bull.
Aerial photo-shoot of l’Hydroptère DCNS Alain Thébault and his Dream Team (Yves Parlier, Jean le Cam, Jacques Vincent, Luc Alphand) during the first series of trials at La Ciotat in the Mediterranean.
The trimaran has now arrived by container ship in Los Angeles where she will be based whilst waiting for a weather for an attempt on the Pacific crossing record between Los Angeles and Honolulu this summer.
30
Jun 12
Jun 12
Toe In The Water in Round the Island Race
Isle of Wight, England, United Kingdom, 50º40’42″N 1º17’57″W
Tri-service charity Toe in the Water entered two yachts in Round the Island race which also coincides with Armed Forces Day. The charity’s ambassador Dee Caffari MBE who is also an Honorary Commander Royal Navy Reserves was skippering the Farr52 TOE IN THE WATER with a crew of injured and able-bodied military personnel.
29
Jun 12
Jun 12
Dee Caffari MBE & Honorary Commander Royal Navy Reserves
Gosport, England, United Kingdom, 50º47’06″N 1º07’10″W
14
Jun 12
Jun 12
Hydroptère – Onboard
La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France 43º08’39″N 5º39’09″E
Photo assignment for Red Bull.
Onboard l’Hydroptère DCNS Alain Thébault and his Dream Team (Yves Parlier, Jean le Cam, Jacques Vincent, Luc Alphand) during the first series of trials on the Med before trying to beat the Pacific crossing record between Los Angeles and Honolulu this summer. La Ciotat in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France.
06
Jun 12
Jun 12
Aglaia
Monaco, 43º44’13″N 7º26’32″E
66 Metre Superyacht AGLAIA by Vitters & Dubois.
Sailing yacht AGLAIA at 66 metre (216.5 ft) was launched earlier in March by Dutch Shipyard Vitters a well known high quality super sailing yacht Shipyard. The Superyacht AGLAIA sloop (hull number 3063) is a huge modern luxury yacht as designed by Dubois Naval Architects with interior design by Redman Whitely Dixon.
One interesting point about this sailing yacht is her massive mast. As she is a sloop she needs one very tall and technologically advanced mast, the second longest mast in the world at 83 metres.
She has racing yacht performance due to her powerful rig, long waterline length, light weight and lifting keel, which when full extended provides enviable upwind pointing and speed. a futuristic Vitters superyacht she makes a very impressive sight.
In the Greek mythology AGLAIA (or Aglaea) was the goddess of beauty, splendour, glory, magnificence and adornment.
29
May 12
May 12
Alex Thomson Racing Hugo Boss
Monaco 43º44’11″N 7º25’59″WE
Photo assignment for Alex Thomson Racing/Hugo Boss
After an intensive refit period Thomson also revealed his plans for two gruelling Transatlantic Record attempts as he starts the final countdown to the ultimate offshore race, the Vendée Globe.
Confirming that the Farr designed yacht, purchased in 2011, will be used for the 24,000 mile race, following successful performances during the Transat Jacques Vabre and B2B race in 2011, Thomson showed the impressive new chrome-effect which has been applied during its recent refit.
Thomson revealed that over the coming six months he will be completing over 12,000 training miles on board HUGO BOSS including two single-handed transatlantic record attempts.
“With just six months to go until the start of the Vendée Globe we are really in countdown mode and the focus for me is to spend as much time as possible on-board in training and under race-conditions,” said Thomson. “I’m really happy with the modifications we’ve made to the boat and after the success of the Transat Jacques Vabre and B2B races at the end of last year I’m really itching to get racing again.”
Key events in the lead up to the Vendee Globe:
June – Cadiz to San Salvador (Transatlantic record attempt)
July – New York to UK (Transatlantic record attempt)
August – Cowes Week
November – Vendée Globe
Stewart Hosford, Managing Director of Alex Thomson Racing comments: “We have an exciting year ahead of us and we are looking strong. Our preparation has been great and we are exceptionally committed to the programme for the next 6 months. Alex has been at a fitness training camp and is in very good shape and is extremely focussed on the Vendée Globe in November.
Alex Thomson Racing
