Beneteau First 35 wins Boat of the Year

Beneteau USA is pleased to report that the new Beneteau First 35 has won the “Yacht of the Year” award from Voile Magazine. A panel of Voile Magazine journalists, a group of specialists in sailing, and a selection of Voile Magazine readers noted that the main reason that the First 35 won the award was the fact that the boat achieved its primary design brief of having the superior blend of a dual purpose program offering true cruising capability while also providing exciting racing performance. This honor was published in a French article from the November 2009 issue of Voile.

The Cuba Run

A new race was announced recently: The Cuba Run, a 95 mile sail from Key West to the Hemingway Yacht Club, Cuba. Additionally racers get to spend a day touring Havana. The event is raced on various catamarans from 18-22 ft.
More information on this new event can be found on the Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/the-cuba-run

BMW/Oracle Team dismasted

BMW/Oracle's trimaran was dismasted sometime Tuesday in approximately 10 knots of breeze. The boat was towed back to the team base for further examination, however it is believed that the mast failed near a mast terminal. Fortunately nobody was injured and the damage to the boat was minimal.

USCG Assists in Rescue of Powerboat in Lake Erie

August 15th Coast Guard received a report of a 36 foot powerboat taking on water after it had collided with a navigational aid. With prompt action the Coast Guard dispatched a rescue boat to the scene within ten minutes of the call. Additionally a barge nearby assisted with additional water pumps. Fortunately nobody was injured and all occupants of the powerboat were wearing life jackets. They were able to bring the half sunk boat to the Bayview Yacht Club where it was pulled from the water.

Banque Populaire & Groupama 3 Smashes the Trans Atlantic Record

The infamous trimaran Banque Populaire & Groupama 3 just finished a crossing of the Atlantic in under 4 days. Banque Populaire finished with a total time of 3 days 15 hours 25 minutes and 30 seconds! This is an incredible achievement and has certainly generated some fast 24 hour runs over an approximately 3,000 mile sail. Timed runs across the Atlantic date back to the 1960's with faster corssing times of about 30 days at sea. An example of how sailing has changed over the last 40 years.

Pictures can be found on the BYM news site.

Fly Emirates Team New Zealand Dominates Med Cup

Team New Zealand has had a stellar year in both the TP 52 and GP 42 classes. Finishing the 2009 Audi Med Cup Circut with a 14.5 point lead, secured themselves as champions of the Marseille Trophy. More information on the event can be found on the website.

Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race Begins

The 2009 Bayview to Mackinac Race began with to a downwind start and has pushed the fleet quickly towards Mackinaw Island. Although the wind has inevitably shifted into an upwind finish the fleet is expected to finish within the next 24 hours. Among them are some significant race boats. The fleet can be tracked to the finish on the following website.