Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Maiden’s eagerly awaited departure on the 2021-2024 World Tour took place today when the iconic yacht left the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club on her 90,000nm journey, skippered by the 'legendary' Marie-Claude Kieffer Heys. Together with sponsors DP World, Maiden and…

The UK’s Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has launched a new framework of support for yacht racers and owners following a change in World Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations (OSR). Since 1 January this year, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, yachts competing in…

Romain Pilliard and Alex Pella set off on Tuesday January 4, 2022 on the Round the World Record Upside Down. The trimaran Use It Again !, the former Ellen MacArthur boat, crossed the starting line at 17 hours 36 minutes…

With the three named Atlantic storms of Arwen, Barra and Corrie already logged and leaving behind trails of varying degrees of disruption in Northwest Europe, we in Ireland don’t need to be told that the winter of 2021-2022 has been…

Changes to the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) coming into effect on January 1 2022, will mean an additional requirement for yachts taking part in races of Category 0 to Category 3. In 2022, Irish fixtures such as June's…

As noted recently on Afloat.ie, the historic Kingstown to Queenstown Race will return in 2022 in a modern-day format — reviving the tradition of a race first run in 1860. Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, National Yacht Club…

After several days of calm weather that tested everybody’s nerves, the fleet has finally caught the trade winds. The four leading boats are currently leaving the Cabo Verde Islands in their wake while Jim Schofield (Ireland) in his Molly Claire,…

After more than twenty days at sea in the Transat Jacques Vabre Race, the difference between fourth and fifth in the IMOCA class was just 21 minutes 40 seconds between Britain's Sam Davies on Initiatives Coeur and an all-French crew…

Charal's arrival completes the IMOCA podium but the racing rages on, especially for 4th and 5th between Initiatives Coeur and Arkéa-Paprec. The front of the Class 40 remains incredibly close with the current leader now just 600 miles from the…

Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their nine crew will begin a fresh Jules Verne Trophy record attempt this Thursday. Early in the morning, the maxi-trimaran Sails of Change will cast off from her port of registry in La Trinité-Sur-Mer (Morbihan)…

Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier have won the Ultime class title of the 15th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre aboard Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. Going into the race as favourites, they regained their lead on 9th November and never…

Primonial has taken line honours and the Ocean Fifty multihull title in the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre race. French pair Sébastien Rogues and Matthieu Souben crossed the line in Martinique ahead of Koesio in second. Britain’s Sam Goodchild was third…

The hoped-for grandstand finish in Martinique is beginning to look likely as Ultimes and Ocean Fifties begin their approaches to the line in the Transat Jacques Vabre. The IMOCA leaders continue their high-speed cat-and-mouse chase while for the Class 40s…

Pierre Le Roy sailing the uber-scow Teamwork has a good lead in the Euorochef Minitransat 2021 as he closes towards the finish at Saint-Francois in Guadeloupe 200 miles away, where he is expected to cross the line tomorrow (Friday) evening.…

The Royal Ocean Racing Club, in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the Yacht Club de France, expect a record entry for the 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race. From the mighty Comanche to the miniscule Jangada, 29 teams from…

Sodebo Ultim 3 is being assessed following last night's collision with an unidentified floating object. 11th Hour Racing Team - Alaka'i has officially abandoned the race after yesterday's dismasting. The rest of the fleet has now split up as the…