Racing Gear
Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 13:09.
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. Full text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 13:54.
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 MoreFull text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 19:26.
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 fastest Full text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 20:41.
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 NewportFull text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 18:37.
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.
Read More
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Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 18:31.
YachtsandYachting.com-- Henri Lloyd was one of the first technical clothing manufacture’s to
design and produce a women’s technical waterproof sailing jacket, that
was in 1986 and the jacket was called – The Voyager. The jacket was
constructed from Bri-Nylon and incorporated the Henri Lloyd
characteristics of taped seams, storm flap zip and a foldaway hood, as
with the current range, the jacket came in a variety of sizes and
colour’s designed specifically for women.
Since then, other important women’s products have included the Women’s Offshore Jacket
and the TP3 Women’s Reflex jacket and hi-fits and Henri Lloyd has
always endeavoured to introduce women specific products into our
technical range each year.
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Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 04:00.
BYM News, April 7 2008-- The Akilaria Class 40 fleet continues to grow! Maine Yacht Center will complete the fit out and commissioning of two Akilaria Class 40s this summer, as the burgeoning European race class continues its rapid expansion in the US. To date, more than 60 Class 40s have been launched in Europe, with many racing in the Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, Trans-At and Quebec-St.Malo Ocean Races.
Now, the newly formed Akilaria Imports LLC will bring two more, Marc Lombard-designed boats to the US; both with final commissioning work and launch at Maine Yacht Center in Portland, Maine. "We were right on the mark," says Brian Harris, General Manager of Maine Yacht Center and President of Akilaria Imports LLC. "The debut of the first Akilaria 40 at the Newport Boat Show last year was a phenomenal success; it's the hottest boat on the market for the US-based short-handed racer who is searching for true value and high performance." Full text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 18:29.
Core77.com Design Blog, January 31 2008-- The VOLVO SportsDesign AWARD celebrated with this year's winners.
The jury made it's decisions and nominated products and concepts in the
following categories: ski equipment, board equipment, outdoor
equipment, apparel, wheelers, accessories, and concepts.
This year's theme is "EcoDesign" - focusing on systematically
bringing ecological factors into play at the earliest stages of the
product planning, development and design process. Our special congrats
go to the concepts category winner Max Koriath (the guy holding that
huge 5000 EUR check).
His "Schöner Boot Fahren" wooden boat
is made of beech wood and produced with an industrial process which
enables three-dimensional rounded freeform surfaces. The wood grows
again permanently and has a positive life-cycle assessment. The
material can be completely composted and damaged parts can easily be
replaced, just like the engine bonnet of a car. Read More
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Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 13:48.
MotorTrend.com--Competitors of the Volvo Ocean Race sail around
the world in ten legs stretching from Spain to Sweden to St.
Petersburg, Russia. Although the race does not start until Oct. 4,
Volvo has released details on the Ocean Race Edition V70, XC70, and
XC90 models, which will become available in June. The three Volvos get an attractive Ocean Blue
color, but can also be ordered with Electric Silver paint, which we
think defeats the purpose of an ocean-themed special edition model.
Nevertheless, all three models wear wheels that Lennart Stegland,
President of the Special Vehicles division at Volvo, says "has been
inspired by the movement of the ocean's waves." Read MoreFull text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 16:02.
VGYD.com-- In December 2007 Moondance
Yachts in Cape Town,
South Africa
splashed their first Van Gorkom designed Open30. The boat is presently
undergoing a full range of sea trials and will be ready for offshore competition
by February.
Meanwhile, the first Australian "kit" VG-Open30 is presently under
construction in Australia. The owner is an experienced offshore
racer and intends to campaign his boat in short-handed and single-handed Pacific Ocean events. Full text available to registered users only. Sign up free!
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