Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Maxi Yacht

The 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has served up spectacular and challenging sailing conditions and provided the platform for elite crews to demonstrate their skill and appetite for first-class competition.

After three days of racing, the leaders of the six classes are Galateia (Maxi A), Proteus and Bella Mente (Maxi B), Spirit of Lorina (Maxi C), Y3K (Supermaxi), Allegra (Maxi multihull) and Svea (J Class).

For nearly 40 years, the event has been organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), in conjunction with the International Maxi Association. The event is considered the perfect sailing package – combining top race management, an enviable nautical environment and uniting a fleet comprised of some of the world’s most impressive maxi yachts.

Following today’s lay day, two days of racing remain, concluding on Saturday, 9 September.

Published in Superyachts
Tagged under

Mike Slade's Leopard 3 won the prestigious Maxi Racing Class at the 27th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Italy today.

After a fascinating duel between Mike Slade's British Maxi Leopard 3 and Round Ireland monohull record holder George David's American Maxi Rambler 88, the winner of the biggest prize in Maxi Racing, hung on the very last race. During the 30-mile decider, the two high-performance yachts were locked in an intense battle, never more than a few boat length apart. At the finish line, Mike Slade's Farr 100 Leopard 3 was just seconds ahead of George David's Rambler 88, to claim one of the biggest prizes in the sport.

“Early this year, Leopard had a major refit, including adding more sail power, that combined with winning every start at the regatta was the key to our success. Huge thanks to the the crew and Skipper, Chris Sherlock, for all the long hours put in to turn Leopard into a world beater. I am on cloud nine, winning at the Maxis is a wonderful achievement.” commented Mike Slade.

Mike Slade's Leopard 3 will be back in action at Les Voiles de St Tropez from the 24th September, before competing in the 3000-mile RORC Transatlantic Race in November, with a full Caribbean season to follow.

Published in Offshore

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.