Section: SAL

Sailing Notes: Telefonica extends lead; America's Cup considering change

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00

SANYA, China (AP) - World sailor of the year Iker Martinez survived the toughest conditions of his career yesterday to become the second skipper in 22 years to win the first three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Spain's Team Telefonica won the stage from Abu Dhabi to China, with Martinez matching New Zealander Peter Blake's achievement in the 1989-90 edition.

After just less than 13 days of sailing, Team Telefonica beat Fren...

Sailing Notes

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00

VOLVO OCEAN RACE: American boat Puma received a warning of the dangers ahead after being hit by unidentified debris near the Malacca Strait, the most hazardous stretch of water the boats will face in the Volvo Ocean Race. Before the leading challengers had weaved through the hundreds of commercial ships and tiny unlit fishing vessels on Friday, Puma reported a significant scare.

Puma's Amory Ross says "we had distant lightning,...

Outrageous success for Annapolis crew

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00

No skipper has been a more consistent competitor at the annual race week off Key West than Bruce Gardner.

Gardner has been bringing his Beneteau First 10-meter to the southernmost point in the United States every January since the mid 1990s. The Annapolis resident has enjoyed tremendous success in the annual regatta while thoroughly enjoying the spectacular sailing conditions and spirited night life of the Conch Republic.

"We...

Piracy threats chase Volvo yachts to safe haven

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00

MALE, Maldives (AP) - Boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race were transported onboard an armed ship again to the safe haven of the Maldives capital because of the threat of pirates along the east coast of Africa.

Dutch ship Happy Diamond was protected by barbed wire when it delivered the six-strong fleet safely to Male.

"It has been a very tense and difficult time for us, and obviously we did not want to have to take this me...

DeVos clinches in Key West

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Michigan sailor Doug DeVos and his Quantum Racing team have clinched victory in the 52 Class at the Key West 2012 sailing regatta off the Florida Keys.

DeVos of Grand Rapids, with tactician Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, scored three wins yesterday. With two races remaining today, Quantum cannot be mathematically overtaken by second-place PowerPlay, owned by Peter Cunningham of Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

Ran, ...

DeVos sets Key West pace

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Michigan sailor Doug DeVos and his Quantum Racing team continue to set the pace in the 52 Class halfway through a 10-race series at the Key West 2012 sailing regatta off the Florida Keys.

DeVos of Grand Rapids, with tactician Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, took advantage of a strong breeze and race officials' decision to stage three heats yesterday. They led Quantum to a win and two second-place finishes in the...

Abu Dhabi wins Volvo Ocean Race leg

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A tactical gamble by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing skipper Ian Walker paid off with a home victory in an in-port leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Abu Dhabi and Groupama of France had split from the rest of the fleet in light but consistent winds. After some jostling, the home crew held the edge at the halfway stage of the eight-mile course.

Walker and his crew stretched that advantage and crossed the fi...

Sailing Notes

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00

ROLEX AWARDS: Etchells World Champion Bill Hardesty (San Diego) and International Sailing Federation Sailing World Champion Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) were named US Sailing's 2011 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year.

A shortlist of eight male and seven female sailors - determined from nominations submitted by members of US Sailing - was evaluated by a panel of sailing journalists who selected the two sailors for the...

Ainslie to sail with America's Cup champ

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00

LONDON (AP) - Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie will sail in next year's America's Cup with defending champion Oracle, gaining experience for what he hopes will be a title challenge with his own team.

Ben Ainslie Racing will compete in the America's Cup World Series after this year's London Olympics before joining Oracle.

Following the 2013 America's Cup in San Francisco, the 34-year-old Briton inten...