Sailing – The Boating Chronicle

14 American athletes set to compete in Marseille for Paris 2024 test event

July 9, 2023

Marseille, France – 7/8/2023 – US Sailing – Representing the United States from East to West Coast, 14 athletes across ten Olympic sailing disciplines will begin competition in the Paris 2024 Test Event on Sunday, July 9 in Marseille, France. On the water for the USA: What is a Test Event? A Test Event is used as a “dress rehearsal” and will operate in the same format as the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Test Events traditionally provide event organizers and Olympic authorities the opportunity to test personnel and venue staging, working to eliminate flaws in their plans in the […]

Four American Skippers are ready to take on the Global Solo Challenge

July 9, 2023

Global Solo Challenge (GSC) Headquarters – 7/9/2023 – by Hal – As the excitement for the 2023-2024 Global Solo Challenge (GSC) builds, the sea’s call has enticed a varied and impressive group of sailors from around the world. Among them are four American skippers, each with their unique stories and compelling motivations for tackling the demanding circumnavigation. From the strength and perseverance of a combat-wounded Marine Corps veteran to the passion of a lifelong sailing enthusiast; from the childhood dream of a seasoned sailor to the adventurous spirit of an investment manager turned marine voyager, these four Americans bring a […]

Curt Morlock – Global Solo Challenger Number 54

July 9, 2023

GSC – 7/9/2023 – By Hal – Curt Morlock, a 64-year-old American, will be participating in the first edition of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), starting from A Coruña, Spain in December. Aboard his Open 60 sailboat (ex-IMOCA), named 6 Lazy K, Morlock will be among the last to set off due to the staggered start times according to boat performance. His sailboat is a proven competitor, having participated in several races, including the Vendée Globe and the Around Alone. It was built in 1999 by Thierry Dubois and carries a track record of impressive performance. Morlock, originally from South […]

David Linger – Global Solo Challenger Number 51

July 9, 2023

GSC – 7/9/2023 – By Hal – David Linger, a 60-year-old American and lifelong sailing enthusiast, is an entrant in the Global Solo Challenge (GSC). He was raised by the sea in Seattle, where he gained extensive knowledge of boatbuilding, repairs, rigging, and detailing. With his passion for sailing and inspiration from notable sailors such as Sir Frances Chichester, Eric Tabarly, Alain Colas, and Claire Francis, Linger always dreamt of completing a solo circumnavigation. Upon retirement, Linger found that the GSC fell at an ideal time in his life. He purchased a 2006 Class 40 yacht, previously named Bolland Mills, […]

Ronnie Simpson – Global Solo Challenger Number 52

July 9, 2023

GSC – 7/9/2023 – By Hal – Ronnie Simpson from Honolulu, Hawaii is one of the most experienced sailors who entered the Global Solo Challenge to date. Ronnie Simpson, an American, combat-wounded, and retired Marine Corps veteran, is a prominent figure in the sailing world and decided to enter the Global Solo Challenge (GSC) whilst supporting US Patriot Sailing, a veterans’ sailing non-profit organization. Simpson experienced a life-changing event during his service in Iraq when he suffered severe injuries, including the loss of half of his lung in an explosion. After his military retirement, he faced personal struggles until he discovered sailing. Immediately […]

Peter Bourke – Global Solo Challenger Number 5

July 9, 2023

Peter Bourke, an American entrant in the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), has acquired a second-hand Finot-Conq designed Open 40 yacht named ‘Imagine’ for the challenge. The yacht, predominantly built of carbon composites and renowned for performance and reliability, was previously used as a liveaboard for a couple and their three children. It is anticipated that ‘Imagine’ will set off from A Coruña, Spain, in October due to its high anticipated performance in the staggered start format of the GSC. Bourke was born in England before his family moved to the USA, where he later served in the American Marine Corps in Vietnam. […]

America’s Peter Bourke: ‘Imagine’ Sailing Around the World

May 12, 2023

5/11/2022 – by Dave Proctor – GSC – When I spoke to American Global Solo Challenge (GSC) entrant Peter Bourke, he told me that he had recently acquired a secondhand Finot-Conq designed Open 40 for the challenge. Built by JMV Industries in France in 2001, this design of boat is predominantly built of carbon composites and has proven to be really exceptional in terms of performance, quality and realiability. A fast pure-bred racing yacht with good upwind performance, this yacht will undoubtably be one of the quicker yachts that leave from A Coruña in the Autumn of this year, and given that the […]

SailGP cancels the second day of the Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney due to a major weather event

February 19, 2023

Sydney, Australia – 2/18/2023 – After racing today at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, a major weather event occurred that has resulted in significant damage to the wing sails and at least one boat at the SailGP technical site. As far as we know, no one was seriously injured during the incident. As a result of the damage, SailGP has had to cancel racing for the second day of the Sydney event. A full assessment of the damage is underway.

The Russell Report: Spain’s team shake-up, the return of Kyle Langford, and Spitthill’s Season 3 ‘struggles’ examined

February 17, 2023

Sydney, Australia – 2/16/2023 – By Russell Coutts, SailGP CEO – The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney kicks off on February 18. Ahead of the event, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts reveals his behind-the-scenes insight of the fleet. We’re in Sydney and the big news this event is the changes in the Spanish team. Diego Botin is taking over the driver position and James Wierzbowski is coming in on flight control. Diego is a highly regarded sailor – he and Florian Trittel (wing trimmer) are ranked right up there with the best in the 49er Class so Diego definitely […]

SailGP arrives in Sydney ahead of racing this weekend

February 14, 2023

Sydney, Australia – 2/14/2023 – by Miranda Blazeby, SailGP, Digital Editor – SailGP has touched down in the iconic city of Sydney ahead of this weekend’s KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix. The tech base has now been built and teams are in full swing readying their F50s for the ninth event of Season 3’s 11-event calendar. The nine-strong fleet will hit the water for the first time on Thursday for crucial training ahead of practice racing on Friday. Racing will get underway at 16:00 local time on Saturday and Sunday, with teams competing in a six-fleet race format before the […]