Racing

America's Cup World Series teams tuned up under ideal conditions on the final training day in Newport, R.I. Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget

Yesterday was the Offical Training Day 1 for the America's Cup World Series in Newport. After an opening press conference, the sailors headed out for some windy practice races. The tension was tangible between ORACLE Team Spithill and Emirates Team New Zealand, for they will be vying for the overall title--Team Spithill currently has a narrow 4 point lead, but that could quickly disappear. Big breeze led to exciting racing, and even a collision with one of the mark boats!

Photo Credit: Guilain Grenier and Gilles Martin-Raget

The 18th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta took place on June 9, 2012 at Elliott Bay Marina, and raised over $150,000 for blood cancer research and patient services. Sailors from around the Pacific Northwest gathered to race, party, and crusade for a cause. Congratulations to this year's top fundraiser, Michael Coleman, who collected $12,740.

Photo Credit: Jan's Marine Photography, janpix.smugmug.com

The Rappahannock River Yacht Club hosted the 2012 Typhoon Nationals. Irvington, Virginia is home to the largest Typhoon Fleet in the world. Brent, Ron and Rick Mihills put together a string of 3-3-1-1-1 and won the 19 boat Championship fleet convincingly. It was the second national win for Dad Ron and son Rick who sailed together last year to win the 2011 class national title.

Ron Mihills and his two sons, Rick and Brent Mihills, won the two-day, 5-race regatta with a record of 3-3-1-1-1 in the 19 boat Championship fleet. PRO John McCarthy presided over teams from as far away as Michigan, North Carolina, and Washington DC, and over 50 volunteers helped to make sure that everything ran smoothly. 

Photo Credit: Diane Cook-Tench, Lin McCarthy, and Blanche Stevens.

A crowd of hundreds, including youth sailors from many local sailing programs, gathered on Tuesday for the opening press conference of the 2012 America's Cup World Series in Newport, RI. After the ceremony, youth sailors were given a chance to take photos with the cup and meet and greet their heroes.

Photos: Stuart Streuli

Rochester Yacht Club's Match Racing Regatta, also known as the Great Lakes International Challenge Cup, took place on June 15-17. The Challenge Cup was hosted in conjunction with Dave Perry coaching an advanced Match Racing Clinic. 10 teams representing 4 countries were present for 5 days of sailing near the Port of Rochester on Lake Ontario. Although Dave Perry led in the standings at the end of Day 1, Terry McLaughlin finally pulled ahead with 9 points over Perry's 8, with Peter Wickwire losing the tiebreaker to come in 3rd, also with 8 points. 

Photo Credit: Betsy Lawless

The Great Lakes Yacht Club has raised over $500,000 since they began hosting their Leukemia Cup Regatta, and this year proved to be just as fruitful as years past. Nearly 30 boats sailed on May 19th in the three-race regatta on Lake St. Clair in order to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient services. The top fundraiser for the year was Trey Rose, a member of the Crescent Sail Yacht Club who raised $6,090 in memory of his co-worker John Balconi. 

Photo Credit: LTN_Michigan

The Race Village for the America's Cup World Series at Fort Adams in Newport, R.I., bustles with activity. Photos by ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

AC World Series teams prepare on the waters of Newport, R.I., ahead of the start of the final event of the 2011-'12 circuit.

I must go down to the seas again Sea Fever by John Masefield I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

Minutes after the start of the 2012 Newport Bermuda race with Bella Mente doing 18 knots and gaining on Rambler, as Rambler peeled off to change sails, Hap Fauth, owner of Bella Mente, leaves the helm to enjoy the ride and a stogie. How fast was Bella Mente going? "smoking" fast!

AC45s are flying high in Newport, R.I., in anticipation of the AC World Series finale. Photos by ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget

Big Class yachts Mariette, Mariquita, and Eleonora grace the Solent at the second running of the Westward Cup. Photos by Rick Tomlinson and Chris Boynton.

Nearly 200 international yachts flocked to this sun-kissed town to celebrate the Giraglia Rolex Cup's 60th anniversary this year. The regatta is aptly nicknamed "Queen of the Mediterranean," both for its historic roots and its magnificent scenery. Oh, and the fierce conditions and competition that await the daring competitors.

Esimit Europa 2 smashed the race record by over three hours, completing the 242-nautical mile race from Saint-Tropez, France to Sanremo, Italy, in just over 14 hours. Read more in our Finish Line forum.

Photos: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

Friday, June 15 provided plenty of sun and breeze for the start of the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race Start. Photographs from PPL Media.

Over 700 athletes from 59 nations, including almost all of the medal contenders for the upcoming Olympic Games, poured out onto Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay, England, for Skandia Sail for Gold 2012. Photos by Mick Anderson/SAILINGPIX.DK and Will Ricketson/US Sailing

The June 2nd event took place at Surf City Yacht Club in New Jersey, and served as the US Singlehanded Championships Area C Elimination regatta. 7 races took place. Clay Johnson won the full rig class, with only 6 points after his drop, and Kelly McGlynn won the radial class, again with only 6 points.

Photo Credit: Jon Deutsch, www.jdeutsch.com

Current overall leader Groupama took first place, while PUMA battled back for a well-deserved second place finish. CAMPER (with Emirates Team New Zealand) snagged the last podium spot, while overall second-place boat Telefonica came in last. Telefonica's poor finish resulted partially from a penalty on PUMA immediately after the start and partially from a snapped masthead halyard.

Photos by: Ian Roman, Paul Todd, VOR media crewmembers Diego Fructuoso/Team Telefonica, Yann Riou/Groupama Sailing Team, Hamish Hooper/CAMPER ETNZ, Nick Dana/Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

The third act of the series brought great breeze and the closest finish so far this year, with The Wave, Muscat coming out on top after 4 days and 29 races. The Wave, Muscat, headed by Leigh McMillan now stands in first overall with 29 points. Close behind them is French Groupe Edmond de Rothschild with 25 points, and then in third Red Bull Sailing Team with 24 points. Not to be discounted is Oman Air in 4th with 23 points total.

Photos: Vincent Curutchet/Dark Frame