December 26, 2019

      Two years were not in vain
      In St. Petersburg, in a wonderful friendly atmosphere, the reporting and election meeting of the Russian SB20 Class Association was held.

Not only Petersburgers came to the meeting, but also several crews from Moscow, which was especially nice. The ability to make such events more popular is an indicator of the crew’s interest and involvement in the life of the Association. And the ongoing work is not in vain.

As part of the meeting, Ivan Gromov reported on the work done, successes in the development and popularization of the SB20 Association over the past 2 years, and also spoke about plans for the near future.

Summing up the past two years, Ivan Gromov emphasized: “The first and main task that we set for ourselves was to keep the number of acting crews in the classroom. Not sleeping. That is, those who regularly participate in our competitions. Now we have 57 boats constantly appearing, which is three more than before. This is a very important breakthrough for us, especially considering the seasonality of our sport. ”

Complementing the words of the president of the Association, we say that in 2019 more than 30 official events were held, 257 people took part in the races for the season, and the number of active active members of the Association reached 100, and we hope that these figures will grow.

For two years, the percentage of professional athletes has grown – at the main competition of the year – the championship of Russia – the number of amateur crews fell to 12%. “This suggests that we are developing, and the average level of the class has grown,” said Ivan Gromov.

These positive trends are largely due to the formation of a high-quality coaching staff, the regular invitation of foreign athletes, including professional Hugo Rocha, who comes with his team several times a year and holds very effective workshops.

“We have provided a high-quality material and technical base – we have our own RIBs, buoys, we have all the equipment we need to conduct competitions at the highest level. We are actively attracting professional photographers and videographers. This allows us to analyze controversial, from the point of view of refereeing, situations, which is very important, and also allows you to make beautiful videos to popularize both the SB20 class itself and sailing in general, ”commented Gromov.

Of the pleasant innovations in the coming 2020 – the return of the away stage of the Cup of Russia, this time the racers will go to the Sverdlovsk region on Lake Tavatuy. It will be a race with a change. Participating yachtsmen only need to arrive at the place.

A very important step, partly a breakthrough of the past two years: at least 4 crews regularly get into the top 10 at international competitions, and, moreover, occupy the first – second places. The European subdivisions of the Association look with great respect at the SB20 Russian Association.

In 2021, from June 21 to 27, a very important and significant event is expected in St. Petersburg – the European Championship in the SB20 class. Ivan Gromov said:

“Our daily work is now aimed at working out all the nuances of holding such an important international competition on the territory of St. Petersburg. We want to hold it at the highest level. Some of the participants will come to us from Singapore and we must provide the most simple and understandable transportation of ships. A very important achievement for us – St. Petersburg was in one of the three capitals where the electronic visa is being tested. This type of visa applies specifically to athletes and was made for them. We are active participants in this project and thanks, in particular, to our work, our city was included in this list. We are actively working on a cultural program for our guests. We are negotiating with museum sites. We are doing everything possible to not only adequately hold the championship itself, but also to show our city and country from the best side! ”

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Chief Editor

The meeting came not only Petersburgers, but also some crews from Moscow, which was especially nice. The ability to make such events more mass – an indicator of interest and involvement of the crew in the life of the Association. And the work was not in vain.

In the framework of the meeting Ivan Gromov reported on the done work, success in development and promotion of the Association SB20 for the past 2 years, and also talked about plans for the near future.

Summing up the past two years, Ivan Gromov noted: “the First and the main task that we set for ourselves, is holding in the class number of exposed crews. Not sleeping. That is, those that take regular part in our ongoing competitions. We now have constantly been 57 boats, which is three more than previously. For us this is a very important breakthrough, particularly given the seasonality of our sport.”

Complementing the words of the President of the Association, say that in 2019, was conducted more than 30 official events, 257 people participated in the race for the season, and the number of actual active members of the Association reached 100, and we hope these figures will grow.

In two years increased the percentage of professional athletes – in the main competition of the year – the championship of Russia – the number of Amateur crews fell to 12%. “It shows that we are moving, and the average class has grown,” said Ivan Gromov.

These positive trends are largely due to the establishment of a quality coaching staff, and the regular invitation of foreign athletes, including professionals, Hugo Rocha, who several times a year, arrives with his team and does a very effective workshops.

“We assured the quality of the material and technical base – we had the RIBA, buoys, we have all the necessary equipment for competitions at the highest level. We are actively recruiting professional photographers and videographers. It is possible to disassemble the controversial, from the point of view of judging, a situation which is very important, and allows you to make beautiful videos to promote the SB20 class and sailing in General,” – said Gromov.

Of nice new features in the upcoming 2020 – the return of exit stage of the Russian Cup, this time the racers will travel to Sverdlovsk oblast of the lake Tavatuy. It will be a race with a connection. The yachtsmen-participants need only to arrive at the site.

A very important step, in part – the breakthrough of the past two years: at least 4 crew regularly come in the top 10 in international competitions, and, moreover, is the first – the second places. Russian Association of SB20 with great respect watch the European division of the Association.

In 2021-m from 21 to 27 June in St. Petersburg is expected to be very important and significant event – the European championship in SB20 class. Ivan Gromov said:

“Our daily work is now focused on practicing all the nuances of holding such managementmanage competitions on the territory of St. Petersburg. We want to hold it at the highest level. Some of the participants will go to us from Singapore and we need to provide as simple and understandable transportation vessels. A very important achievement for us and Saint Petersburg fell into one of the three capitals where the tested electronic visa. This type of visa applies just to athletes and done for them. We are active participants in this project and thanks, in part, our work, our city was included in this list. We are actively working on a cultural program for our guests. Negotiating with the Museum’s grounds. Do everything possible to not only adequately hold the championship, but also to show our city and country at its best!”

Chief Editor

October 30, 2019

      The best yachtsman on the planet is 15 years old!
      In the framework of the annual World Sailing conference, held in Bermuda, a solemn ceremony of presenting prizes to the best yachtsman and the best yachtsman in the world in 2019 took place.

The 15-year-old Italian Marco Gradoni was recognized as the best yachtsman – and this is a real sensation. Never before has a prize established by World Sailing and Rolex been awarded to such a young athlete.

However, the award found the hero absolutely in the case. The achievements of Gradoni are phenomenal, without discounts on his age. Marco is a three-time (2017, 2018, 2019) world champion in the Optimist class. Over the past year, he took part in 14 regattas of various levels – and invariably became the winner. Amazing constancy!

The prize for the best yachtsman of the world went to Anna-Marie Rind from Denmark, two-time winner of the World Championships in Laser Radial. The undisputed leader in her class, Anne-Marie throughout the year invariably defeated all rivals, and even for a clear advantage.

Other awards were presented during the ceremony. Thus, the F50 flying catamaran is recognized as the best ship of 2019 (this prize was established by Goslings), which is attended by participants in the international SailGP series. Whereas the crew of the year (the prize from Hempel) was the crew of the Wizard yacht (the owners of the vessel are David and Peter Eskew, the skipper is Charlie Enright). In 2019, the team won races such as the RORC Caribbean 600 and Rolex Fastnet Race.

Among other winners, we note the Oman Sail Federation, which received a prize for the development and popularization of sailing.

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Chief Editor

The best sailor is recognized – and this is a real sensation – 15-year-old Italian Marco Gradoni. Never before has the prize, established by the World Sailing and Rolex – are not getting such a young athlete.

However, the award has found the hero completely in the case. Achieve Gradoni phenomenal, without any discounts on its age. Marko triple (2017, 2018, 2019), world champion in the class “Optimist”. Over the past year, he participated in 14 races at different levels – always with the winner. Amazing consistency!

The prize of the best yachtswoman in the world got a two-time winner of the world Championships in “the Laser-a radial” Anne-Marie the Rind from Denmark. The undisputed leader in its class, Anne Marie, during the year, has defeated all rivals, but still a clear advantage.

During the ceremony were awarded and other awards. So, the best ship in 2019 (this prize was established by the company Goslings) recognized as flying catamaran F50, which are members of the international series SailGP. While the team of the year (a prize from the company Hempel) was the crew of the yacht Wizard (the owners of the ship David and Peter askew, skipper Charlie Enright). In 2019, the team has won such races like THE Caribbean 600 and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Among the other recipients will celebrate the Federation of the sails of Oman, which got the prize for the development and promotion of sailing.

Today

      Around the world – at 77 years old!
      Last Saturday evening in Victoria (this is in the far west of Canada, near Vancouver) returned, completing a round-the-world odyssey on the 11.5-meter yacht Nereida, a resident of this city, 77-year-old Jeanne Socrates.

Now Socrates is the oldest among all who have circumnavigated alone, non-stop and without any outside help.

In some stories dedicated to the finish of Socrates, it is claimed that she improved the record of 71-year-old Japanese Minori Sato. Only this is a mistake. In fact, the British, who had long settled in Canada, improved the achievement of the winner of the Golden Globe Race, Jean-Luc van den Hehede from France, on the day he closed the circumnavigation, he was 73 years 129 days.

But Socrates and from this record did not leave a stone unturned. In the second half of August (either on the 18th or the 19th, we, unfortunately, do not have more accurate data) she turned 77, as you already know. At the same time, she walked around the world in 338 days.

In Victoria, a traveler was met by thousands of fellow countrymen.

I wonder where Jeanne Socrates will go now. That, it was her last sailing trip, we, sorry, do not believe.

65 Today # 9453
                                                    
      
    

Chief Editor

Now Socrates – the oldest among all, who made the world alone, nonstop and without any assistance.

In some subjects, dedicated to the finish of Socrates, it is argued that it improved the record of the 71-year-old Japanese Minori Sato. Only that is a mistake. In fact, the British, long settled in Canada, has improved the achievement race winner Golden Globe Race Jean-Luc van den Heede from France, the day when he closed the circumnavigation, he was 73 years 129 days.

But Socrates and this record has not left any stone unturned. In the second half of August (either the 18th or 19 th, more accurate data, we unfortunately do not have) she was, as you already know, 77 years. While around the world she went for 338 days.

In Victoria the traveler was greeted by thousands of his countrymen.

I wonder where to now go Jeanne Socrates? That this was her last journey under sail, we, sorry, I can not believe.

June 12, 2019

      Twenty-One Years Like Eric Tabarley Fails
      On the night of June 12/13, 1998, the famous yachtsman Eric Tabarly didn’t — in the Irish Sea, he was hit by a geek from the board of his beloved Pen Duick; can wash off the board, no place on the yacht at all.

Amazingly, just a year earlier in the same Irish Sea, he won the Fasntet Race aboard Aquitaine Innovations. Less than a month before his death, he celebrated the birthday of his beloved yacht – the gaff tender of Pen Duick, bought by his father. And in June I went to distill this yacht to Scotland to continue the celebrations – but fate decided this time differently …

Fishermen found his body more than a month later.

In France, they cherish the memory of their great compatriot, who turned France into an outstanding sailing power. Twenty years after his death, in Lorient, where Tabarly began his racing career, the wonderful Sailing Museum named after him was opened.

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Chief Editor

Amazingly, only a year earlier in the Irish sea, he won the race Fasntet Race aboard Aquitaine Innovations. Less than a month before his death, he celebrated the birthday of his beloved yacht bought by his father gateleg tender Pen Duick. And in June went to overtake this yacht to Scotland to continue the celebrations — but the destiny has disposed differently this time…

His body was found by fishermen more than a month.

In France, cherish the memory of his great compatriot, who turned France into an outstanding sailing power. 20 years after his death, in Lorient, where Tabarli began his racing career, opened a wonderful sailing Museum that bears his name.

May 24, 2019

      The first in 48 years Swan 48
      Once, in 1971, the Swan 48, which had just appeared at that time, created a splash at an exhibition in London. But since then, the company Nautor's Swan "higher and higher sought flight of their birds", completely forgetting about the yachts less than 50 feet in length (if you do not take into account the ClubSwan series boats).

And now – the legend returns. Of course, in a completely new look, created by the works of Herrman Frere Sr. and his assistants.

The new boat is optimized for ORC and IRC handicap racing, but at the same time it is suitable – as the designer himself says – and for comfortable world cruise (like its predecessor). For greater reliability, the hull of the yacht is equipped with two waterproof bulkheads at once.

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Chief Editor