Two big launches at opposite ends of the world. On top, the 32m Ultim trimaran Gitana 18 headed out from her base in Lorient on the west coast of France for her maiden sail. Down under the Kiwis slipped their dock lines in Auckland to take their newly reconfigured AC75 out for its first sail.
Both are big steps forward, both were carefully choreographed affairs and both represent the first steps in two new generations at the very leading edge of the sport.
PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan reports on these – and considers whether there may be a late entry into the 38th America's Cup.
Barely dry from a high speed lap of the planet, Dee Caffari talks to Matt Sheahan about how this year's RORC Caribbean 600 panned out for the fleet.
With many still reeling from the shock of a close call with tragedy in Auckland there were questions aplenty for SailGP. But as the fleet was shipped across the Tasman Sea to the third event of Season 6 there seemed to be more questions than answers. PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan breaks it all down...
Why the new Gitana 18 could be the fastest offshore boat ever built and how to sleep at 40 knots – on your own. PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan dives into the detail after last weekend's launch of the latest Edmond de Rothschild Maxi in Lorient.
Matt Sheahan from PlanetSail asks the question that is on everyones lips after this weekend's horrific crash between the French and Kiwi SailGP teams down in Auckland, New Zealand.
First outings for Gitana Edmond de Rothschild and Emirates Team New Zealand; Podcast: James Pleasance - World Match Racing Tour; Making sense of Grand Prix sailing’s fragmented landscape
Sailing’s Olympic classes, SailGP, the America’s Cup and the Vendée Globe, all showcase our sport at its highest level. But they rarely interconnect. Is sailing missing a chance to dramatically grow its audience by failing to align its biggest competitions?
On the latest episode of the Yacht Racing Life Podcast I'm joined by James Pleasance – executive director of the World Match Racing Tour, as we discuss the history, evolution, and future of one of sailing's most iconic competitions.
Performance improvements under the new rules for the 38th America’s Cup are more likely to come from a multitude of incremental gains, rather than from a radical design breakthrough that would turn AC design thinking on its head.
