Australia sustains major damage in dramatic collision on Lyttelton Harbour

Tom Slingsby and his Australian crew have been hit with a devastating blow after a dramatic collision with a course mark during the first fleet race of the Championship Sunday forced the team to retire from racing altogether. The collision occurred as Australia and Canada were approaching the first mark of the race at speed. Australia driver Tom Slingsby made a split second decision to manoeuvre away to avoid a potentially catastrophic collision with the Canada Team’s F50 and crew, instead hitting the course mark, causing extensive damage to the Flying Roo.

Tom Slingsby said: “It all happened so quickly but at that moment I knew that we were going to hit Canada, so I had a choice to make and I wanted to keep people safe so I turned the boat as hard as I could into the course mark. I knew the mark was there but It was either that or go straight through Canada.” Slingsby was visibly shaken by the incident, saying to the media: “Honestly I am just happy that no one was hurt and we are all in shock. I don't think it has all sunk in and it’s been pretty emotional for me. It is a really scary moment when you feel like you could kill someone.”

The collision has caused irreparable damage to the front beam of the F50 with further damage sited to the port hull and board case. The full extent of the damage to the Australia F50 is still being reviewed by the SailGP Technical Team.

Following an initial investigation from the SailGP umpires, the Australia Team were determined to be at fault for the collision and have been docked 12 event points and 8 season points. The decision is currently being reviewed by SailGP umpires and the Australia Team.

Australia’s biggest rivals, the recently-rebranded Black Foils - New Zealand SailGP Team - claimed victory on their home waters, followed by France who finished the podium final on Championship Sunday in second place and Canada in third.  The Australia Team will work alongside SailGP’s Technical Team to assess the full extent of the damage to the F50 and commence urgent repairs, with the goal of having the Flying Roo back racing in Bermuda for the Apex Group Bermuda Grand Prix on 4-5 May 2024. 

1 // New Zealand 26 points

2 // France 25 points

3 // Canada 24 point

4 // Spain 24 points

5 // Germany 16 points

6 // Switzerland 12 points

7 // Emirates Great Britain 10 points

8 // USA 6 points

9 // ROCKWOOL Denmark 3 points

10 // Australia 1 point

OVERALL SAILGP SEASON 4 STANDINGS //

1 // New Zealand 68

2 // Australia 59 points

3 // Spain 55 points

4 // France 54 points

5 // ROCKWOOL Denmark 50 points

6 // USA 48 points

7 // Canada 46 points

8 // Emirates GBR 45 points

9 // Germany 27 points

10 // Switzerland 22 points

Lightweight Wonder

An expertly custom-crafted Schionning catamaran will sail the world with ease, thanks to the strong, durable DuFLEX Build System.

 A highly-customised Schionning Solitaire 1520 cruising catamaran is taking shape on the Gold Coast, in the talented hands of the team at Mahi Boats, specialists in custom boat building, particularly multihulls and game fishing boats to commercial standards.

Founder and director, Dan Williams began the business 17 years ago as Hybrid Composites, before demand propelled the business into custom boat building. Dan’s background includes international experience crafting carbon fibre racing yachts.

Now, ensconced in a supershed at the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard within the thriving boat building hub of Coomera, Mahi Boats is working on several major projects, including the 50-foot (15.25-metre) Schionning Solitaire 1520.

Described as “a serious bluewater cruiser capable of sailing the world with high mileage daily runs in comfort and safety with minimal slamming”, the Solitaire 1520 offers similar internal comfort and space to a similarly sized production boat, but is far lighter, stiffer and stronger with better waterline beam values and higher power to weight ratio.

As Dan explains, “The owners chose this model as they loved the design and the ability to customise head heights and cabins to suit their specific needs.” There are dozens of custom features throughout the boat, starting with the entire layout. “The clients designed the layout of the boat and we are continuing to customise everything along the way,” says Dan.

“We have raised the headroom inside. We are running a hybrid electric motor system and the boat is packed with custom electronics. The boat is designed to sail two-handed around the world. They owners are planning to cruise the east coast and around Australia initially, but this is the catamaran they can rely on for long-range cruising once they’re ready.” The owners’ sailing ambitions are to be on the water within 14 months, and the team at Mahi Boats are well underway, with six boat builders engaged on the project.

Crucial to keeping the weight down and keeping to the tight construction schedule is the use of DuFLEX panels from ATL Composites, as specified by Schionning Designs. “There are many benefits of using DuFLEX panels,” Dan states. “They are easily assembled, CNC-cut, pre-laminated panels that enable fast construction. They’re easy to join using ATL’s Z-Press which applies heat and pressure to cure the epoxy adhesive on the Z-Joints. Joins are fully cured in seven to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature.

Other composite products from ATL include Divinycell Structural Foam, KINETIX  R246TX Thixotropic Laminating Epoxy, WEST SYSTEM 105 resin and associated hardeners and powder modifiers, TECHINGLUE R60 Structural Adhesive in easily dispensed cartridge form,  and TECHINIFILL R1160 pre-blended Fairing Compound.

“ATL offers a large range of composite products, all of which we are happy to use,” Dan continues.

“All ATL products are high quality and are competitive in price across the board. The ATL team go above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need when we need it.”

www.atlcomposites.com.au

www.westsystem.com.au

www.mahiboats.com.au

The Two Oceans 870 Power Catamaran in build at Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing:
a floating haven of unmatched luxury

Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing is in the final year of the build the Two Oceans 870 Power Catamaran, a nautical masterpiece that seamlessly marries opulence with functionality. This 87-foot luxury custom power catamaran, designed by award-winning yacht design firm Du Toit Yacht Design, transcends the ordinary, offering an expansive and luxurious on-water experience.

Award-winning design and manufacture partnership
In a longstanding collaboration, Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing and Du Toit Yacht Design have partnered on the build of 14 large full custom catamarans ranging from 60 to 110 feet. This partnership extends to include the semi-custom Two Oceans 555 and 675 Power Catamarans, along with the Balance 442, 482, and 750. With Du Toit Yacht Design's extensive experience in catamaran design, many vessels jointly created with Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing have garnered prestigious awards.

Ultims pass Oz

Six 105 foot Ultim catamarans and only six sailors.

Photo: Arkea Ultim Challenge 2024

 The Ultim class of 105 foot trimarans are the true monsters of the deep ocean, reports Kevin Green.

To prove it, this elite group of yachts are currently racing together in a circumnavigation expected to take less than 50 days. Sailing at speeds of nearly 50 knots across the wildest parts of the world's oceans, while managing thousands of square foot of sail area and doing this all on foils is what these solo sailors are doing; after departing Brest in France on 6 January.

Eric Peron on Ultim Adagio, which is the only non-foiler in the fleet.

Photo: Arkea Ultim Challenge 2024

So far, one of them has broken down (the newest one, SVZ Lazartigue), pulling out at Cape Town while the other five continue on. Another, Sodebo 3 skippered by 55 year old veteran Thomas Coville, did an emergency stop in Hobart, Tasmania on 1 February for foil and deck repairs. Meantime the runaway leader, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild skipper Charles Caudrelier on his 2017 Ultim, is passing Cape Horn on the final leg west before turning north to the finish at Brest, north west France.

Sodebo3 called in at Hobart on 1 February for repairs.

Photo: Arkea Ultim Challenge 2024

Follow them on the tracker at: www.arkeaultimchallengebrest.com

Racers

- Maxi Edmond de Rothschild - Charles Caudrelier

- Maxi Banque Populaire XI - Armel Le Cléac'h

- SVR Lazartigue - Tom Laperche (RETIRED)

Sodebo Ultim 3 - Thomas Coville

Actual Ultim 3 - Anthony Marchand

Ultim Adagio - Eric Peron

Cat Not Dog

A simple but efficient cruising rig of high-aspect fully-battened mainsail, and self-tacking blade jib with a luff furler.
With reefs and furling these two sails can serve the boat in a wind range from 5-40ts.

In this article, ALEX STONE looks at the main considerations to be taken in account when buying a cruising catamaran.

The cruising catamaran market is coming of age. Yachties of all stripes are seeing the indisputable advantages of good, fast, safe, comfortable cruising cats. They’ve come to understand that yes, you can have all those attributes simultaneously, and at all times, in a blue-water sailboat. Sailing fast and comfortably with no heeling the new normal. Why just a few weeks ago, we cruised from Mahurangi to Man o’ War Bay in New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf in two hours – a distance of 35nm at an average speed of over 15kts – and the glass vase of flowers sat on the saloon table the whole time, while my beloved snoozed contentedly on the couch, leaving me in splendid isolation at the wheel. Our kind of sailing!

Be Unique – Own a share in the
new Bali 4.4 ‘Halyna’ this summer

Sail Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Newcastle (visit the Hunter Valley), Pittwater and Sydney during this summer. Relocate to Queensland and the Whitsundays next April for the winter. As an owner of ‘Halyna’ these places will all be within your reach with the yacht managed by Yacht Share Mariner.

Where Great Begins

Self-confessed reef addicts, Chris and Wade on Anui, have spent an extended time in the southernmost part of the Great Barrier Reef and declare “this is where Great begins” in more ways than one.

During a time with more heartache, health concerns and boat maintenance than is fair for one cruising couple to handle, being able to spend several weeks at the reefs of the Capricorn and Bunker Group is a godsend. These coral cays and reefs are the southernmost of the Great Barrier Reef. This really is where Great in the Great Barrier Reef begins and where we have felt contented at last. Situated some 30-55nm offshore and adjacent to the coastal towns of Bundaberg, Gladstone, 1770 and Yeppoon, these jewels are on a line running southeast to northwest, from Lady Elliott Island at the southern end, to North Island at the very northern end of the group.

There is an extraordinary amount to explore. The Capricorn and Bunker Group comprises 22 reefs with 16 permanent coral islands known as cays which are breeding sites for many seabirds and marine turtles. Although not all reefs and cays can be visited since some are reserved for scientific research, many are readily accessible and offer wondrous experiences. Between snorkeling, diving, birdwatching, kayaking and fishing (outside the green conservation zone of course), there is plenty to enjoy when the weather conditions are light.

Discover the new Excess 14

   The Excess 14 is the pure incarnation of the Excess DNA. It is the result of a dedicated design work and an industrial execution, unique to the brand. It is a cruising yacht that is both fun and playful, with sleek lines.

LAGOON 60

Redefining The 60-foot Sailing Catamaran Experience

Discover unparalleled luxury with the Lagoon 60, the latest release from Lagoon Catamarans. Boasting an expansive flybridge, saloon bathed in natural light, fluid layouts, and innovative opening side terraces, this 60 footer is unlike anything on the market.

Quentin Beraut, Lagoons Project Manager explains, "The Lagoon 60 will be the link between our 55 and the SIXTY 5, drawing inspiration from both models.” The team integrated the innovative design of the 55's rear half, especially the cockpit area that resonates deeply with the ocean, and blended it with notable features from the Lagoon SIXTY 5, like the forward door, achieving a seamless fusion of the finest elements from both models.

New Skills and New Friends Made at the Seawind & Corsair Pittwater Regatta

     On the 6th & 7th of October, the annual Seawind & Corsair Pittwater Regatta brought together a mixed fleet of 15 multihulls travelling from Brisbane, Port Stephens, Sydney and Jervis Bay to participate in a weekend of fun and social sailing in an event that has more than 20 years heritage.

Exclusive SuperCat Luxury -
the Hudson 63 and 47

Whether they’re cruising the shores of Monaco, exploring the shallows of the Bahamas, or hosting A-listers at a secluded anchorage, the Hudson 47 and 63 SuperCats are set to turn heads in even the most exclusive surroundings.

The Kit Carlier Design team has created the first of a new range of SuperCats to be produced by global powerhouse Hudson Yacht Group. And with naval architecture by Stimson Marine Design, nothing has been left to chance. Both models have been rigorously tested in an array of diverse scenarios using the same CFD technology implemented in the design of the Americas Cup AC75.

Introducing the Brand New Seawind 1170

The incredible success of the Seawind 1370 has inspired Seawind to design a smaller version around 40 feet that carries similar styling lines to the 1370 and new modern hull shape, but with an interior layout more akin to their super popular Seawind 1260 that optimise space providing incredible value and comfort for live aboard cruisers.

– Lagoon 46 –

Coastal day trips, Bluewater cruising, entertaining with friends, or enjoying the peacefulness of the open ocean; the Lagoon 46 can do it all.

– The Lion Roars –

Don and Anja Richards depart Africa for the Caribbean in a
Leopard 53 Power Catamaran

Kekada at Cape Town.

... Yes, having spent some time at Kruger National Park, we do agree that they roar, but luckily for us the Leopard purrs nicely, or in this case our new Leopard 53 Powercat, and what a boat she is.