Racing Gear
In America's Cup, Oracle Team USA Looks for High Tech Advantage
Forget the fastest sail boat; next year's America's Cup could come down to who has the fastest computer. The boats competing on the San Francisco Bay next year will be kitted out from bow to stern with high-tech gear, including sensors that measure variables like wind speed and the amount of stress on their hulls, and a server that analyzes the data and sends instructions to the crew.
Post to TwitterNew England Boatworks to build Puma yacht
(soundings) Puma Ocean Racing announced that New England Boatworks was contracted
to build Puma's new Volvo 70 for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race
2011-2012. READ MORE
What luxuries does a race skipper pack on his yacht?
(guardian) The Hugo Boss skipper Alex Thomson is used to spending weeks at sea. As
he races from France to Brazil in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Ross
Daniel, he reveals the luxuries he can't leave harbour without… READ MOREAmerica’s Cup challenger unveils giant wing
(AP) First an engine, then an enormous wing. This really is going to be the most radical America’s Cup in the regatta’s 158-year history. READ MOREAlinghi defends use of engine to trim sails
(swissinfo) The head of the Alinghi sailing syndicate,
billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, has defended the use of a controversial
engine to trim the sails of his new catamaran. Bertarelli,
quoted by the Associated Press, also denied that the ongoing legal
dispute between Alinghi, the defending champion of the America's Cup,
and challenger Oracle Racing has damaged the reputation of the
competition. READ MORE VW Touareg North Sails design study: Captain on the deck!
autoreview.belpproject.com-- VW and North Sails have joined their forces to create a maritime inspired Volkswagen Touareg North Sails design study. Although certainly lacking sails and a proper hull, the concept vehicle nevertheless leaves a strong nautical impression. The concept SUV comes equipped with exclusive 19-inch rims and its front and rear fog-lights as well as built in side mirrors turn signal repeaters feature blue colored lenses and reflectors. Inside the car, there are even more elements drawn directly from a yacht near you. Boring velour floor mats are changed to an impressive set of natural teak wood flooring panels (damn, do I want these into my Santa Fe!) outlined with LED lighting strips (no, I don't want these); white Nappa leather is stitched in aquamarine zig-zag pattern; and the stainless steel entry strips carry the North Sail logo. On the center console one will also find a set of binoculars and a compass. Hopefully, there is a sextant somewhere, too.New Wind Measurement Technology May Help Olympic Sailing, Aviation and Weather Forecasting
Science Daily-- A team of researchers at the Ocean University of China has developed
and tested a mobile lidar (light detection and ranging) station that
can accurately measure wind speed and direction over large areas in
real time -- an application useful for aviation safety, weather
forecasting and sports. The mobile lidar station can measure wind fields more accurately,
which could help world-class athletes compete in international
competitions, such as the Olympics. Ocean University is in Qingdao,
which is hosting the sailing competitions of the XXIX Olympic Games and
the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and this technique is being tested
in conjunction with the event. "Wind is non-uniform even in a small sailing field," says Professor
Zhi-Shen Liu of the Key Laboratory of Ocean Remote Sensing, Ministry of
Education of China, Ocean University of China, who led the research.
"Athletes could maximize their performances if they have the most
accurate information to help them capture the wind." Read MoreThe VHF that Thinks It's a Cell Phone
All At Sea
-- It is amazing how cell phones differ from handheld VHFs as they both
perform similar jobs. Now, I am not advocating the idea of turning
your portable marine radio into a games console, but one the world’s
leading manufacturers of portable VHFs has borrowed a few features from
cell phone development to its latest range. Essentially, a handheld VHF radio performs a very simple job; it
transmits sound waves using radio waves to a receiver which converts
them back to sound waves, thus allowing a conversation between two
people who are miles apart. So the humble portable VHF is a pretty
basic tool and most of the models on the market have fairly similar
features. So when it comes to deciding which brand to buy, what is the
most important consideration?The most important feature of all is that it is reliable; not being
able to communicate with other boats or to shore can be a serious
problem. Jim Allen is the racing manager for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09
and it is a tough job. He is in charge of the event on the water,
overseeing the Race Management team. Every start and finish of every
offshore and inshore race all over the world, Allen makes sure the
spectator boats stay out of harm’s way and ensures that the fastestNew: Puma Foul Weather Gear
This Gore-tex jacket is designed to go around the world! Made of Gore’s
3 layer waterproof breathable Coastal Membrane with all the features
that you would want for Offshore Sailing. The hood design is great and
it was designed by veteran Volvo Ocean race sailors, so you know its
going to work! Features include hand warmer pockets, cargo pockets,
butt reinforcement and much more. Available at Team One NewportBuyers' guide to sailing gloves
The MainSail.com-- Sailing gloves offer protection and cushioning for the fingers, palms and wrists while out on the water. As well as helping to prevent rope burn, they also aid gripping ability which is why you will find most sailors sporting a pair all year round.
With many brands offering a whole variety of styles it can be hard to decipher which pair is going to be best for you. So to help you on your way here is TheMainSail's buyers' guide to sailing gloves.
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