around the world yacht race auckland

Why iconic Whitbread Round the World race boats are arriving in Auckland this week

Sir Peter Blake skippered Steinlager 2 to a win in the 1989-90 edition of the Whitbread Round the World race. Photo / Photosport

Half a century ago, 19 yachts set out from Portsmouth, England, in a race around the world.

The race featured just three stops on the way, three sailors were swept overboard and lost their lives, and the winner crossed the finish line 152 days after setting sail.

Though it has many known by many names since, that first Whitbread Round the World race was the start of what has become an iconic event in the sailing world.

It’s an event that particularly resonates with Kiwis, following the success of Steinlager 2 in the 1989-90 edition. Skippered by Sir Peter Blake , and featuring an all-star crew including Brad Butterworth , Tony Rae and Kevin Shoebridge , Steinlager 2 won its edition of the race and is the only yacht to claim line honours in every leg of the race. It was the first year that the race had included more stopovers, with six legs instead of four. In the previous edition, Blake skippered Lion New Zealand to second place.

Kiwi successes continued in the following edition, which featured seven legs, when Grant Dalton skippered NZ Endeavour to victory. That edition also saw the arrival of the Whitbread 60 class, a smaller, purpose-built vessel, which ran alongside the maxis, and Japanese entry Yamaha, skippered by Kiwi Ross Field, was the first of the new class across the line.

This week, a race featuring boats designed before 1988 and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread Round the World event will sail into Auckland to complete its second leg. It comes at a welcome time for Auckland sailing fans, after the City of Sails missed out on hosting recent or upcoming editions of the America’s Cup , SailGP and The Ocean Race.

While The Ocean Race itself has moved with the times, the Ocean Globe Race is a tribute to its origins. Of the 13-strong fleet, seven of the vessels were raced during an edition of the Whitbread race.

The first boats are expected to arrive in the Waitematā Harbour between 8am and midday on Tuesday, with Italian entry Translated 9 leading the fleet ahead of Finland vessel Spirit of Helsinki, while the rest of the fleet is expected to filter in over the next couple of weeks.

The Ocean Globe Race follows a similar route to that of the early four-leg editions, with stops in Cape Town, Auckland and Punta del Este (Uruguay) before returning to Southampton in what is expected to be an eight-month voyage.

It is billed as a return to the spirit of the original race, with everyday sailors relying on sextants and paper charts. Ocean Globe Race founder Don McIntyre said he wanted to put together an event that gave ordinary sailors the chance to experience such an adventure with the current iteration of The Ocean Race dominated by professionals.

“I wanted to recreate that feeling, where ‘ordinary’ sailors could experience that special adventure, denied them ever since it became fully professional as the Volvo race. They were super exciting events, but left the average sailor behind 30 years ago,” McIntyre said.

During the stopover in Auckland – with the fleet scheduled to depart on leg three in mid-January – both Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2 will berth alongside the Ocean Globe Race yachts in Wynyard Marina.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.

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Ocean Globe Race: Roaring into Auckland

Published on December 12th, 2023 by Assoc Editor -->

The Italian Swan 65 Translated 9, skippered by Vittorio Malingri, crossed the finish line on December 12 to take first in line honors, provisional IRC and Flyer Class in the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race. The second leg of the race began on November 5 for the 7250nm course to Auckland, New Zealand.

This will herald their second IRC win, having taken the title in the Leg One race, Southampton to Cape Town. The ten-strong crew were determined to retain the prestigious title in the Cape Town to Auckland leg and their dogged determination paid off.

“We went south, you have to go south, that is how you sail around the world,” said Malingri. “Some days in the fog it was one degree, four degrees. We didn’t see the sun for two weeks! But we are so happy to be here. New Zealand is an amazing country.”

Vittiorio, whose father Franco, and uncle, Doi, took part in the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973. And now his son Nico, is the first mate on board Translated 9.

“It feels so good to be here,” noted Nico Malingri. “It feels just amazing. It was a technical leg and we didn’t have any big storms so we managed to push at the right time and keep cool when it was necessary. The crew performed amazingly.”

The OGR, a race celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Whitbread Round the World Race, means Translated 9’s triumphant return to Auckland is particularly poignant. The yacht and her crew have deep historical connections to the Whitbread and Auckland. In 1977, she sailed into the city under the name ADC Accutrac, skippered by Claire Francis, the first woman to skipper a Whitbread yacht.

“It was a very mild Indian Ocean,” observed Translated 9 navigator Simon Curwen. “Loads of high pressures, no big systems, not too much damage. We’re short a spinnaker pole that folded in half, but apart from that we’re in pretty good shape.”

Translated 9 took the most southerly route of the fleet only being forced north to round the third-way point enroute from Cape Town. They battled with Pen Duick VI throughout the leg with things getting particularly interesting when Pen Duick VI, skippered by Marie Tabarly, took the controversial decision to sail through the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia.

For a while, it looked like the gamble might have paid off but Translated 9’s position continued to offer the better winds, aiding her perfectly around the often difficult Cape Reinga. It’s notorious for producing some surprises for rounding the North Island but not so on this occasion.

Translated 9’s finish was followed by Pen Duick VI, Spirit of Helsinki, and Maiden.

The third leg will start January 14, taking the fleet 4980 nm to Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Event information – Race rules – Entry list – Tracker

No longer racing: • Swan 51 Godspeed (USA) – quit after Leg 1

The 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race (OGR) is a fully crewed, retro race, in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, marking the 50th Anniversary of the original event. Racing without computers, GPS, and high-tech materials, they navigate with sextants and paper charts. Seven of the fleet are former Whitbread competitors.

Starting in Southampton (UK) on September 10, the OGR is a 27,000-mile sprint around the Globe, divided into four legs that passes south of the three great Capes. The fleet is divided in three classes with stop-overs in Cape Town, South Africa; Auckland, New Zealand; and Punta del Este, Uruguay before returning to Southhampton in April 2024.

2023-24 Ocean Globe Race: FIRST LEG: Start 10 September 2023. 7670 miles. First boats finish 9-21 October 2023. SECOND LEG: Start 5 November 2023. 7250 miles. First boats finish 14-23 December 2023. THIRD LEG: Start 14 January 2024. 4980 miles. First boats finish 9-18 February 2024. FOURTH LEG: Start 5 March. 6550 miles. Finish 1-10 April 2024.

Source: OGR

Tags: Ocean Globe Race

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The Ocean Race confirms its return to Auckland

Race organisers announce next edition will visit the spiritual home of the iconic round the world race...

The next edition of The Ocean Race will take place in 2022-23. Find out more .

The Ocean Race will come to Auckland, New Zealand, during the next edition of the fully-crewed, round the world race.

As The Ocean Race approaches its 50th anniversary, the event will be returning to New Zealand for the 12th time. All but one of those stops have been in Auckland, the City of Sails. Watch the video

“It is a great pleasure for me to confirm The Ocean Race will be returning to Auckland in the next edition,” said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race.

“We consider Auckland to be the spiritual home of the race, with a legacy built on the legends of such iconic New Zealand sailors and race winners as Sir Peter Blake and Grant Dalton, and now leading into a younger generation with Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and Bianca Cook.

“Every time we come here, we see the Kiwi fans passionately celebrating the incredible efforts the world’s best sailors undertake to realise their dreams and ambitions in The Ocean Race, and in turn the crew members appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality they receive here, before departing to undertake one of the biggest challenges they will face offshore – the Southern Ocean.”

The Auckland stopover comes ahead of one of the most difficult legs of the event, as the fleet will race out of the protected waters of the Hauraki Gulf and dive into the Southern Ocean, squeezing between Antarctica and South America as they round the famed Cape Horn.

Kiwi sailors have long written the stories of their careers in this remote part of the world and this time will be no different. Bianca Cook, who competed in the last edition of The Ocean Race on board Turn the Tide on Plastic, is leading a campaign in the VO65 class for the next race.

The next edition of The Ocean Race will feature two classes of boats – the innovative, foiling, IMOCA 60 class, along with the one-design VO65 boats, which produced the close and compelling competition of the last race.

“It’s fantastic to have confirmation that The Ocean Race will be coming back to Auckland,” Cook said. “It’s great news for our campaign to have certainty that we will be coming ‘home’ for a stopover during the race.”

Cook has purchased the VO65 race boat she competed on in the last race and transferred it to New Zealand where it is being refurbished and readied for her newly established team’s race around the world.

“It’s been an exciting few months and our campaign is really beginning to take shape now,” she added. “With the confirmation the race is coming to Auckland, it’s all systems go for us and we're working towards getting the boat in the water so we can start our training around New Zealand soon."

Burgeoning Kiwi legends Peter Burling and Blair Tuke competed in the last edition of the race on separate teams. Fresh off an America’s Cup win in Bermuda with Emirates Team New Zealand, the pair became rivals for the first time, with each looking to become the first sailor in history to claim the ‘triple crown’ with wins in the Olympics, America’s Cup and The Ocean Race. But both would have to settle for a podium position with their respective teams, leaving for unfinished business with The Ocean Race.

Now juggling renewed America’s Cup commitments with a campaign to defend their gold medal in the 49er class at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Burling and Tuke expressed enthusiasm about Auckland again hosting The Ocean Race.

“For both Blair and myself, participating in the last edition of The Ocean Race was a life-changing experience,” Burling said.

“Racing offshore improved us as sailors and allowed us to experience the natural world in a way we hadn’t before. Our time in the Southern Ocean was one of the things that inspired us to create our new foundation, Live Ocean, which is dedicated to protecting and restoring our oceans, something we know The Ocean Race backs strongly as well.

“It’s fantastic to hear The Ocean Race will be returning to Auckland for the next edition, following on from the America’s Cup. Although the Cup and the Olympics are our immediate priorities, both Blair and I would love to be involved in the race again.”

The Ocean Race stopover will be located along the Viaduct Basin with the exact location and facilities to be defined following the America’s Cup in 2021.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomed the announcement. “Auckland is a world-class sailing destination, and the city comes alive each time the yachts visit here,” he said. “And having Bianca Cook confirm her participation as New Zealand’s first female skipper of this race is an added bonus. “Investment by Auckland Council through Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) helps shine the spotlight on our region’s ability to host events of this magnitude. The last time we hosted an Ocean Race stopover we had nearly 500,000 visitors to the village hub, creating a huge sense of vibrancy. “The $6 billion local and central government investment in the transformation of Auckland’s city centre, and the construction of a new waterfront precinct for the 36th America’s Cup, will create a lasting legacy for Auckland and help us fulfil our role as New Zealand’s international city. “This visit will complete an incredible year of international events for Auckland,” he concluded.

Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said the Government is proud to support the next edition of The Ocean Race given New Zealand’s longstanding history with the event.

“The stopover presents a fantastic opportunity to bring the New Zealand public back down to Auckland’s waterfront in support of the event, in the area developed for the 36th America’s Cup. We are also delighted that a New Zealand team will be skippered by a female, as increasing women’s participation in sport and active recreation is a priority for us.”

The Ocean Race is scheduled to start from its home port in Alicante, Spain and finish in Genoa, Italy. Auckland, New Zealand joins Cape Town, South Africa; Itajaí, Brazil, Aarhus, Denmark and The Hague in The Netherlands as confirmed Host Cities, along with Cabo Verde, which will be the first West African stop in the history of the Race.

Arnaud Lizop sailed with Marc Cviklinski onboard PEN DUICK III in 1973, as a fresh-faced 20-year-old crewman.

2023 Ocean Globe Race set to be the World’s biggest ever

In 1981, 29 entrants set out on the third edition of the Whitbread Around the World Race, creating the current record as the biggest ever, fully crewed challenge. As the race evolved every four years, it became ever more professional and eventually, as the Volvo Race for elite sailors, the numbers dropped dramatically, averaging in the past 20 years, to only seven starters.

The 2023 Ocean Globe Race (OGR) will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the original 1973 Whitbread, the first ever fully crewed race, around the world. Already, two-and-a-half-years from the start, 25 entrants are paid up and another three have committed, meaning we have 17 different countries represented. The clear expectation is that a full fleet of 34 yachts, sailed by professional and amateur, mixed gender crews, will cross the start line on Sept. 10th 2023. If so, the OGR is set to become the largest ever, crewed, round-the-world race!

Starting in Europe, the Four Leg, 28,000-mile race around the globe, via the three Capes, will stop over in South Africa, Australia and South America, before sailing back to Europe in late April 2024. Negotiations continue with various potential Host Ports, all currently affected by Covid issues, yet retaining strong interest and great passion, for a back-to-basics human event, rich in stories that local communities relate to. The expectation is for the final course to be announced no later than the third Quarter of 2021.

“The excitement and enthusiasm for the Ocean Globe Race from the sailors that know about it, has been extraordinary,” said Don McIntyre, OGR founder and Race organiser. “When COVID first appeared in February 2020, we decided to stop all promotion of the race, as the World faced serious challenges. But entries kept coming! Now we are recommencing promotions and available places are filling fast. We had to close ADVENTURE CLASS permanently but entries are still available in the remaining three classes.”

The OGR steps back in time to the 1970’s as a Retro Race, with two classes sailing production yachts designed before 1988 (Adventure Class 47-55ft and Sayula Class 56-65ft) and a third Flyer Class, sailing previous Whitbread entrants from the first three editions of the original races. Retro Classes must navigate by sextant, use no modern high-tech equipment, or computers and have only cassette tapes for music. A fourth Classic Challenge Modern Class, sailing Whitbread Maxis and Whitbread/Volvo 60’s will use the same start finish ports, but race a longer course than the slower Retro Classes for a special “BIG RED” Trophy, in honour of the late Sir Peter Blake. The combined fleet covers the entire history of the Whitbread Race.

Early editions of the Whitbread saw French entries dominate, filling over 33% of the fleets. Eric Tabarly sailed the controversial PEN DUICK VI in the first 1973 edition and subsequently entered many later editions. Arnaud Lizop sailed with Marc Cviklinski onboard PEN DUICK III in 1973, as a fresh-faced 20-year-old crewman. He returns in the 2023 OGR as one of five French entries (again the largest competing nation) to skipper his classic Nautor’s Swan 55 Nakamal, reliving his adventure into the unknown of 50 years ago.

“I am excited to join the 50th Anniversary celebration of my original Whitbread experience,” said Arnaud Lizop “The OGR is a unique opportunity to promote values in which I believe such as LONG TERM. The Classic yachts and long distance of the OGR reflect this. Our mixed gender team will also reflect diversity of origins and age.”

Another Whitbread veteran in the OGR (also sailing a Nautor’s Swan 55, Galiana) is 63-year-old Finnish sailor, Tapio Lehtinen. He was watch leader onboard Skopbank Finland in 1981. In 2018 he entered the Golden Globe Race, returning to the Southern Ocean he loves and was the last of only five finishers. He has entered the 2022 Golden Globe Race again, so will have just weeks to recover from that solo circumnavigation, before setting off for his fourth circumnavigation in the 2023 OGR. Tapio has been testing 60 young Finnish sailors over the past year and now has 18 in the running to be part of his Final race crew.

“Since sailing the 1981-82 Whitbread Race as a 23-year-old university student, I have woken up countless times during the following decades, having dreamed of doing the Whitbread again,” said Tapio Lehtinen. “When Don revealed to me that he was going to give a rebirth to the race in 2023, I knew instantly that it’s my dream come true:). As much as I enjoy shorthanded and single-handed sailing, doing the OGR gives me an opportunity to enjoy sailing a big boat, with a young crew, passing the heritage of Finnish ocean sailing to a new generation of sailors – I am as excited and enthusiastic as the young student some 40 years ago, again!”

Early Whitbread crews and yachts are spread throughout this OGR. The only French yacht ever to win a Whitbread in 1985, L’Espirit d’Epuipe (ex 33 Export and Espirit de Liberte’) skippered by Lionel Pean will be sailed by a tough group of sailors from Les Sables d’Olonne France, skippered by Lionel Regnier.

“We have a great yacht and are excited coming back to the origins of offshore racing that promotes human values,” said Lionel Regnier. “Our mixed age and gender crew lets the oldest pass knowledge and experience to the youngest and the youngest bring fresh ideas, thinking and performance to the campaign. The OGR, like no other challenge, is life defining. We must and will surpass ourselves individually and collectively, to reach the summits of this incredible challenge!”

Two giant Maxis are preparing to enter the Classic Challenge and at the opposite end, the smallest yacht ever to race the Whitbread is currently under refit with big plans for the OGR! The French 46ft Mor Bihan was skippered by Philip Poupon/Riguie in the 1981 Whitbread. She hopes to sail again in 2023 under the French Flag and a strong crew from Brittany.

For the first time ordinary sailors can race around the world. All details including the Pre-Notice of Race and Entry applications are available at www.OceanGlobeRace.com

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Whitbread Veteran line up for Auckland finish of Mcintyre Ocean Globe Race

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Ocean Globe Race finish into Auckland

Final festive ocean globe race finish into auckland.

They may not be top of the fleet, but White Shadow ESP (17) could certainly be awarded first prize for the most entertaining arrival.

• Spinnaker and smiles as Spanish White Shadow ESP (17) crosses the finish line at 08:19 (NZLT) after 46, 7 hours, 19 minutes at sea.
• Sterna SA (42) and Explorer AU (28) getting festive on the high seas.
• Families fly in from around the world to spend holidays with crews in Auckland.
• Two Legs down, Two to go – including Cape Horn in Ocean Globe Race. Race Start Leg 3 (Auckland to Punta Del Este, Uruguay) January 14th!

Under a grey, cloudy Auckland sky the scene was brightened in Waitemata Harbour by the Swan 57’s billowing spinnaker, a spontaneous kitchen utensil musical performance and dance moves from the ecstatic crew. At 08:19 (NZLT), after 46 days, and 7 hours they crossed the New Zealand Yacht Squadron finish line heralding the final pre-Christmas OGR arrival in Jellicoe Harbour.

Not only were they the first OGR yacht to arrive under spinnaker, but also to use coffee pots and baking trays as instruments during their final approach. The international crew hailing from France, Argentina, Spain, and Italy certainly know how to ramp up an entrance.

After a painfully challenging final few days with fickle winds forcing slow progress around the notorious unpredictable Cape Reinga, it made frustrating Yellow Brick tracker viewing for the families eagerly awaiting their arrival. But they were determined to make it in time for the OGR Christmas party on the 23rd – which they did, with enough time to sleep and shower!

Skippered by Jean-Christophe Petit, White Shadow sits 11th on the leaderboard, provisionally 11th in IRC rankings and third in Sayula Class. Eleven of the 13 OGR yachts are already safely docked having completed Leg 2, Cape Town to Auckland, after what many of the fleet considered an easier-than-expected Southern Ocean experience. They have Cape Horn to face in Leg 3, so maybe they should be careful about what they wish for!

Jean-Christophe Petit was emotional as he stepped foot onto the Jellicoe Harbour pontoon.

“It’s a blended feeling, very excited and super happy to arrive, but sad to leave the oceans because they were really great. But, more happy than sad. For all of us, the seas were a lot less rough than we anticipated. When we received the warning from the OGR about the bad weather we were taking it very seriously, we thought let’s do it safely, and then little by little you get acquainted with regularly 30 knots, 45, and 50 knots and you think fu…..k! We should have done it like this before!! We’re a little disappointed because we arrive late, but our objective is always to say, “If you want to win a race you have to arrive.” – Jean-Christophe Petit, skipper of White Shadow.

Meanwhile, two yachts will be spending Christmas on the high seas. South African entrant Sterna SA (42) and the Australian Swan 57, Explorer AU (28). Both had to return to South Africa to carry out essential maintenance which disqualified them from Leg 2, however, they’ll continue racing in Leg 3, Auckland to Punta Del Este, Uruguay which starts January 14th.

But the resilient crews are making the most of their Christmas at sea – a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. It’s Elvis Christmas carols on the cassette player on board Sterna which is not to everyone’s taste according to skipper Melissa Du Toit, but apart from musical choices, Christmas plans are going well.

“We are planning a secret Santa, and we have our resident ex-chef (Justin) onboard who’ll be preparing a special Christmas dinner. We have our decorations up and the crew are all planning special surprises.” – Melissa du Toit, skipper of Sterna.

And it’s hardly a surprise to OGR followers that Team Explorer is focusing on food, which of course there will be plenty of onboard.

“Decorations up. Roast dinner. Mince pies… It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas:).” Tweeted Explorer. Who also appear to be using their tweets as Santa lists.

“Dear Santa. We’ve been very good. Please can we have a new genoa? Ps, and a surprise!”

To be honest, if they’d been very good they’d be in Auckland by now!! But let’s see what Santa thinks. At the time of writing Explorer had 2300 nm, Sterna 2700 nm with an estimated arrival date of January 7th/8th.

While some are taking the long stopover in Auckland as an opportunity to fly home many have family and friends flying in.

Youth crew, Aaro Immonen, the Finnish round-the-worlder on board the Swan 651 Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) is looking forward to seeing his mother and two sisters who waved him off in Southampton at race start. The former Whitbread boat (ex-Fazer) is sitting 3rd in line honours and 4th in provisional IRC.

“I’ve heard there’s a Finnish import store in Auckland so we’re going looking for some traditional Finnish foods. And no, I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet, last minute as always.” – Aaro Immonen, youth crew of Spirit of Helsinki.

Maiden’s UK (03) Lana Coomes, whose family are flying in for Christmas, explains how the crew plans to celebrate the festive season. They crossed the line 4th in Auckland so clearly have much to celebrate – but not before maintenance is completed.

“We’ve a lot of different nationalities and countries on board so we’re all planning on coming together and having one big Christmas dinner featuring dishes from around the world. I’m planning on making a little cocktail from Puerto Rico – it’s a special Christmas beverage called Coquito that’s delish.” – Lana Coomes, crew of Maiden.

Margault Demasles from Triana FR (66) plans on spending Christmas day having a BBQ on the beach, an interesting change from her normal cold French festive season.

Meanwhile, Tapio Lehtinen, skipper of Galiana WithSecure FI (06) has very fond memories of sailing into Auckland on board Skopbank of Finland in the 1981/82 Whitbread.

“I’m looking forward to the Christmas fruit cake which I enjoyed 42 years ago when I was here. It must be the rum in it that makes it so special.” – Tapio Lehtinen, skipper of Galiana Withsecure FI (06)

With two legs of the OGR completed and two to go Don McIntyre reflects on the race since start day on September 10th in Southampton.

“These sailors can feel very proud of themselves for having achieved so much during the first two legs. To take on the oceans in the spirit of the Whitbread races is something very special. These sailors are real adventurers, and they achieve what they have through hard work, skill, determination and a lot of passion. They’re proving anyone can sail like it’s 1973 and better still we’ve got two more legs to go. Thanks to all the crew, their managers, to all the family and friends who support them. And to loyal OGR followers – thank you – keep following it’s only going to get better. And finally, a big thank you to Tataki Auckland Unlimited for their support in bringing the race to your wonderfully welcoming city.” – Don McIntyre, OGR funder and organizer.

So, after 103 days since the race started, it’s time for the OGR crew to take a little time to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten Sterna and Explorer are still sailing – Don and Jane will be keeping a very watchful eye!!

And the good news is the yachts are docked in Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland, so come and have a look at Iconic yachts that are racing around the world in the spirit of the Whitbread races. Seven former Whitbread yachts are among the fleet.

The OGR race office is located in The Kiosk, Jellicoe Harbour at Wynyard Quarter, Wynyard Marina where official programs and some official OGR merchandise and posters are available.

Opening times will be limited over the Christmas period.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread, the OGR is hosting a Whitbread Reunion on January 11th, 6pm – 8pm, in Auckland.

All Whitbread and Volvo Race veterans are invited but need to register with OGR first for details.

For more information contact  [email protected] .

The OGR team wishes you all a very happy festive season and a Happy New Year!! And see you in 2024 for lots more racing around the world like it’s 1973!!!!

by Ocean Globe Race

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Volvo Ocean Race Around the World – Auckland Stopover

This is a historic article from the last Volvo Ocean Race, held in 2017 / 2018. It will be updated when the next race takes place if it passes through Auckland (but they always do) .

Auckland knows how to throw a party, and I could feel the excitement in the air as I approached. The City of Sails is perfectly situated for a stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race Around the World. Auckland has been a host for nearly all of the races since its inception in 1973.

A gruelling test of skill and endurance, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s longest and most challenging yacht race, and is often considered the world’s most difficult professional sporting event.

It takes 9-months to sail 45k miles around the world. The last race spread a message of sustainability and clean seas. It was in Auckland on a stopover before starting its most difficult leg, sailing the Southern Ocean to Brazil.

Previously called the Whitbread Round the World Race, it runs every three years. The 2017 installation began in in Spain on 22 October and reached New Zealand after the sixth of its eleven legs to circumnavigate the globe. The most challenging leg was after our temperate island, crossing the Southern Ocean from Auckland New Zealand to Itajai Brazil.

Spreading a message of sustainability and saving our oceans

More than just a challenge, during the last instalment of the race the teams were spreading the United Nation’s message of sustainability and promoting the UN campaign “Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on Plastic”.

Taking this a step further, the UN partnered a yacht skippered by Dee Caffari. She led a young team of 10 sailors, most of whom were under age 30. The team’s guiding mission was to amplify the United Nation’s environmental message throughout the race.

Named “Wisdom”, the Volvo Ocean Race mascot is an albatross (in honour of the world’s oldest wild bird). He helped spread a message of sustainability at each of the 2017 Volvo Ocean Race stopovers.

More images of the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover

While the fleet was on a stopover in New Zealand, the city created a race village to celebrate.

The stopover weekend featured pro-am races (crew plus invited guests). It served as an opportunity for the teams to sail before heading off on their next leg , from New Zealand to Brazil.

See the fleet from the water

The Volvo Ocean Race Around the World will be returning to Auckland in 2022. During the 2017 race, we found two places to watch the boats. First, from behind the pit lane (the team bases located next to the ANZ Viaduct Event Centre), and later we saw them from Queen’s Wharf while standing next to The Cloud.

However, the best way to see the boats is from out on the water. If you are in Auckland in 2022 and don’t have a boat, here are few fun options for getting out on the water (although you may not see the Volvo boats from all of them):

• Race or sail on a former America’s Cup yacht
• Go on a whale and dolphin watching adventure
• Kayak out to Rangitoto Island and then hike to the top of this Volcano
• Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise

Images from the prior Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover

The first time we headed to Auckland to see the Volvo Ocean Race fleet was in 2014. Here are our highlights from that year.

* The current number of sailors allowed on each of the ocean racing boats in the Volvo Ocean Yacht Race can be between 5 and 10, and that number is determined by gender. An all-male crew is a maximum of 5, all-female is a maximum of 7, and if it is 50-50, they can sail with a crew of up to 10 sailors.

More about the Volvo Ocean Race and the Auckland stopover

• You can click here to download a map of the 2017 Auckland race village .
• All teams race a Volvo Ocean 65 . With the boats all built to the same specs, the race is about skill and endurance rather than craftsmanship and technology.
• Former New Zealand winning skippers include Sir Peter Blake on the Steinlager 2 and Graham Dalton on the NZ Endeavour. Mike Sanderson, a third New Zealand skipper, also won, but he was skippering a Dutch yacht.
• The seven teams competing in the 2017-18 race were: AkzoNobel (Netherlands), Dongfeng (China), Mapfre (Spain), Vestas 11th Hour (USA/Denmark), Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (Hong Kong),   Turn the Tide on Plastic (United Nations), and Brunel (Netherlands).
• The Big Three in world sailing events are the Volvo Ocean Race, along with the Ameria’s Cup challenge and the Olympics.
• The fanfare around it is one of the many festivals in Auckland .

Though the race is long since over, our planet’s health continues to be an issue. Please share the message of sustainability and clean seas by pinning this to Pinterest:

Do you follow each installment of the Volvo Ocean Race?

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For more tips … join Explore New Zealand, the country’s largest NZ travel and photography group on Facebook (free).

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Indah Nuria

March 22, 2018 at 4:36 am

This is one interesting events to enjoy. I remember seeing similar race in Lac Leman, Geneva. It was cool!

Erin Gustafson

March 22, 2018 at 3:32 am

We do know about the Volvo Ocean Race as my husband works for Vestas and we’ve been following along somewhat from Copenhagen. Unfortunately, the 11th hour boat had a tragic collision outside of Hong Kong, so it hasn’t been perfect for “our team.” I too applaud the sustainable focus and love the attention being drawn to alleviating ocean plastic. Thank you for sharing the Auckland perspective! Would be fun to see the boats up close and personal!

Rhonda Albom

March 22, 2018 at 1:00 pm

How fun to be part of the action in some way. I was sad to read about the tragedy and opted not to include it my write up as I am more focused on the positive message and the amazing endurance of the athletes. I hope you do get to see the boats close up.

March 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm

I have followed the Volvo Ocean Race – what an incredible event! I love that they are supporting the reduction of plastic waste with the “Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on Plastic” campaign. I’ve been to Auckland and seen the America’s Cup yachts – what an iconic sailing destination.

Sandy N Vyjay

March 21, 2018 at 2:28 pm

The Volvo Ocean Race is an epic one. Covering a distance of 45,000 kms. is tremendous. The yachts look so sleek and beautiful. However, it must be indeed a test of endurance for the sailors as they compete in the race. What is heartening is the fact that this is much more than a race. Spreading the message of sustainability and keeping the seas clean is such a laudable effort.

Carol Perehudoff

March 21, 2018 at 4:56 am

What an event! I can’t believe it’s a 9 month commitment. Talk about dedication. It must be such a fun sailing event. I can’t believe I’d never heard of it before. And I do love the sustainable message.

Debra Schroeder

March 21, 2018 at 1:23 am

This sounds like such an exciting event to watch, let alone participate in. I totally love how they’ve adopted a sustainable theme this year. Plastic kills so much sea life it’s incredible. Love the tips on where and how to see the races.

March 21, 2018 at 12:19 am

Excellent that they’re doing so much to encourage sustainability and reduce plastic waste. The only thing I knew about yacht racing before this was from Lost — thanks for the informative post!

March 20, 2018 at 3:46 pm

I’m always so impressed by long-term sailors..9 months is a long time! I could never do it – have a bit of a fear of the deep sea which I don’t like to admit – but kudos to those who have the drive to do it. Especially with those tight quarters! Love the sustainability message being brought to the masses.

March 20, 2018 at 2:18 pm

How great it would be to be part of this race. Just finishing would be a huge achievement. I like that the U.N. is partnering to draw attention to micro-plastics in our oceans.

March 20, 2018 at 6:45 am

What a unique concept for the race! I really appreciate their zeal, enthusiasm and goal. I have never done sailing but this does look interesting. Great pics.

March 19, 2018 at 3:09 pm

I like the idea behind this race because it has a sports component but an awareness and goodwill components too. It is great that they are stopping in several cities spreading a positive message. I can see how this race turns difficult. For what I see, it takes a while to complete.

March 19, 2018 at 2:40 pm

That sounds like a lot of fun and hard work, all at the same time. Very long race. When we lived in Martinique they had a race like this, except it just went around the island. It took 7 days and there were a lot more than 7 boats. I think it took a whole week because of all the parties. It was fun to watch though.

Chris Bloomfield

March 19, 2018 at 5:20 am

A race around the world is awesome! I have never heard of this and am grateful for your article. It is great that they are spreading the message of clean oceans and sustainability. I so want to see this in person, even if it is only one section of the race.

March 19, 2018 at 4:01 am

So cool that they promote sustainability to the large crowds who view this race. It would be a dream come true for me to attend this – just something about ocean racing!

March 19, 2018 at 12:07 pm

Perhaps it is doing a stopover near where you live. There are 11 stops in this year’s race.

Paul F. Pietrangelo

March 19, 2018 at 2:53 am

I loved the all women Team SCA . Cleaning the ocean is very important especially since I enjoy cruising the sea. Big ships are great but I wouldn’t like to cruise the ocean on a small ship. Nope, not for me. See ya Rhonda.

Cruisin Paul

March 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I was pretty impressed by an all women’s team also. There isn’t one this time, although the UN boat is skippered by a woman. The numbers on the ship are maximum 5 if all male, maximum 7 if all female, maximum 10 if split 50/50. Plus they are allowed one reporter – another job I would not want.

Harmony, Momma To Go

March 19, 2018 at 1:03 am

Ive been reading a book about a family who sails around the world! What a cool experience, but yeah those sailors are tight on space. This is something I would love to do but maybe on a luxury liner!

March 19, 2018 at 12:04 pm

I am happy to sail locally, but I am a fair weather sailor. I don’t know if I would even be happy on an ocean crossing in a cruise ship.

March 18, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Race against Plastic – good that they are dedicating this sailing race to a race that humanity needs the most. It must be a great event to witness. I had no idea of any such races that can be witnessed by the general public – good to know about that. Have met few sailors who have sailed around the world and they have such interesting stories to tell.

March 19, 2018 at 12:03 pm

I was really impressed that they took this opportunity to do some good with the race.

March 18, 2018 at 4:32 pm

I would love to watch that race. They have a very important advocacy, especially at this time when environmental issues seem to be ignored by politicians. I bet the sailors were welcomed very warmly in NZ!

March 18, 2018 at 4:50 pm

I am pretty sure they all love it here in New Zealand. It’s cooler than some of their other stops, and it’s a really important one, as the next leg is the most difficult. However, my understanding is the biggest party for the boats takes place at the next stop in Brazil, where the event draws more people than the town’s population.

March 18, 2018 at 2:36 pm

So Aukland’s nickname is the “City of Sails”? I didn’t know that. These ocean races are famous all over the world and my husband is in awe when he can catch a glimpse of some of these yachts. I’m glad to hear that UN decided to spread the message of clean seas. We really need to raise awareness about that.

March 18, 2018 at 4:51 pm

Yes, Auckland is the city of sails. Like your hubby, I am in awe of these yachts and of the endurance and perseverance of the sailors.

March 18, 2018 at 10:46 am

It’s fun to see all of the bright colors of each boat! I’m glad to see people are making an effort to address plastic waste. I’m finding more ways to reduce the plastic I use and throw out, so I’m excited to see others are bringing awareness to plastic waste.

March 18, 2018 at 12:09 pm

I agree. I was so happy to see the UN boat with the huge sail reminding us about Clean Seas.

March 17, 2018 at 6:01 pm

I’ve ever heard of the Volvo Ocean Race but it sounds like something amazing to witness firsthand! I’m completely intrigued by this.

March 17, 2018 at 9:34 pm

Did you know it as the Whitbread Races?

Annette @ A French Collection

March 17, 2018 at 1:59 pm

Rhonda what an exciting day! The excitement is palpable through your photos. I’ve done a lot of sailing including ocean racing and yes, the facilities below are very minimal. What a super idea to have a yacht interior model for people to experience for themselves what it’s like. Love your post… Annette

I have done local racing, in the Hauraki Gulf, but I have never done open water sailing or racing. It must be exciting, but I am a bit of a fair weather sailor.

Margherita Ragg

March 22, 2015 at 8:19 am

Your posts are making me want to visit New Zealand more and more. I didn’t know about this race, but I’m getting into sailing so it’s even more interesting for me! Thanks!

March 16, 2015 at 2:22 am

Rhonda, Wow! The race sounds like a lot of fun to watch. I love the huge portraits…very cool!

March 16, 2015 at 8:28 am

Those huge portraits were amazing, and a different color from the other side. Plus each stand had the team information on the side facing the marina.

March 16, 2015 at 1:14 am

Wonderful story, great catch! Beautiful photos!

Paula McInerney

March 15, 2015 at 1:16 pm

Awesome photos and The Volvo Ocean Race looks an amazing opportunity to view.

stevebethere

March 15, 2015 at 10:47 am

Looked like a good day loved all the pics Rhonda especially your face one hahaha!

Have a floatastic Sunday 🙂

Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

March 15, 2015 at 12:54 am

I LOVE that there is an al-women crew! Ah, looking at your photos is so reminding me of our time in NZ and seeing the Volvo boats previously!

March 14, 2015 at 9:53 pm

I can’t imagine how hard it would be to sail all around the world. I really like that there’s a woman’s team! Thanks for all the great pics and the info to go along with them. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂

March 14, 2015 at 8:04 pm

Hi Rhonda .. this is something my mother would have loved to see … me not so much, but if I could get to NZ and see them easily – then yes! Hurricane Pam is wreaking its havoc … I enjoy keeping track of the races, but certainly don’t follow them – glad you featured the sole woman skipper ..

Enjoy – perhaps having another look around … cheers Hilary

March 14, 2015 at 2:26 pm

Looks like a cool event. Today, I start my vacation. We’re not going anywhere, but I’m thrilled to be off work for a week. Woo hoo!

March 15, 2015 at 3:07 pm

Sometimes the best vacations are in your own town. I have been focusing on Auckland, and really finding so many cool things.

Comedy Plus

March 14, 2015 at 1:34 pm

No, I’ve not followed this race. In fact this is the first I’ve heard about the race. Way cool, but sailing is not my thing. I know it’s yours, but too much work for my old body.

The yachts are gorgeous though.

Have a fabulous day. 🙂

Ocean sailing isn’t my thing either. I am a fair weather sailor. These competitors are really much stronger people than I will ever be.

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Ocean Globe Race : Auckland is reached after more than 7000 nautical miles

Kristina Müller

 ·  14.12.2023

Skipper Vittorio Malingri was delighted with the ride across the Southern Ocean shortly after arrival:

"We haven't seen the sun for a fortnight! But we are so happy to be here. New Zealand is a fantastic country!"

His son Nico, also part of the crew, was also overwhelmed: "It feels so good to be here. Just fantastic. We didn't have any big storms, so we managed to push at the right time and keep a cool head when we needed to. The crew have done an amazing job."

The navigator on board the "Translated9" is Briton Simon Curwen, who skippered the field for a long time in the last Golden Globe Race. "The Indian Ocean was kind to us," he said immediately after arrival. "Lots of high pressure, no big systems, not too much breakage. We're now missing a spinnaker pole, which is broken in the centre, but otherwise the boat is in pretty good condition."

The "Translated 9" crew took the most southerly route in the fleet and had to take a more northerly course just for the third waypoint on the route to New Zealand. They fought a duel with the "Pen Duick VI" skippered by Marie Tabarly throughout the entire leg. Things got exciting when the Frenchwoman decided to sail through the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia.

For a short time it looked as if the risk had paid off. But the Italians had more favourable wind further south and were able to round Cape Reigna in the north of New Zealand first. Nevertheless, it remained a close race. "Pen Duick VI" reached Auckland just twelve hours after the victorious Italians. Skipper Marie Tabarly on the hardships of the 37-day leg:

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"Because of the waypoint, we barely touched the Southern Ocean. We sailed north and then didn't have the right weather to sail south again, so we were forced to stay north. We were very frustrated."

Even after passing the Bass Strait, not everything went smoothly on board. Tabarly: "After we passed the Bass Strait, we sailed under spinnaker. We had had three weeks of very mild weather with no wind, so we were a bit lulled. But then the wind picked up very, very, very quickly, we lost control of the boat for a while and a lot of water came in. Yes, we have a lot of work to do."

"Spirit of Helsinki" takes the line honours

Less than three hours after Tabarly's crew, the Finnish swan "Spirit of Helsinki" crossed the finish line. The crew took the line honours on the stage to Cape Town and would also have hoped for more from the stroke over the Indian. Skipper Jussi Paavoseppä said about the second leg:

"Maybe we pushed a little too hard. Yes, it's nice to surf the boat at 18 knots, but then it's easy to make mistakes. And we made mistakes that cost us a lot. I don't even want to count how many times the mainsail was down - and in this race you don't want to have the mainsail down. I estimate that we lost a good 300 miles because we had to repair it."

The British "Maiden" was the fourth yacht to arrive. She took 39 days and four minutes. Skipper Heather Thomas was relieved: "I'm pretty tired, I'm not going to lie, the last 24 hours have been pretty challenging navigationally. So I've been awake for the last 24 hours because there's been so much going on. To be honest, the Southern Ocean was a bit tame. A lot of the girls were a bit disappointed with how tame it was. Hopefully next time we can offer them a bit more. The Tasman Sea was the roughest part. But I'm very happy to be here. New Zealand feels like home to me."

Seven more yachts have already passed Australia and are expected to reach the harbour in the next few days. The crews will be able to recover and repair their boats here until 14 January, when leg three to Punta del Este in Uruguay will start.

Sterna" and "Explorer" have only just logged a good half of the route. After the restart in Cape Town, the crews of both yachts had to sail back to South Africa to there to carry out essential repairs for the leg across the Southern Ocean . But even they can still make it to Auckland in time for the start of leg three of the Ocean Globe Race.

About the Ocean Globe Race

The Retro race around the world is taking place this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race. On 10 September 2023, 14 crews set off from Southampton on the 27,000-mile voyage, which is divided into four stages and leads through the Southern Ocean and around the three large capes.

The stopovers are in Cape Town in South Africa, Auckland in New Zealand and Punta del Este in Uruguay, before the circumnavigation ends back in the UK in April 2024.

More on the topic:

• On course for New Zealand with a long delay
• First retirements in South Africa, strong crews at the top
• How a German sailor experiences the "Ocean Globe Race" adventure

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THE GREAT SPRINT

Experience the adrenalin rush of being one of many yachts on the start line, at the same time.

Enjoy the spectacle of the sails and colours on Auckland Harbour.

Get amongst the atmosphere of a sailing village.

Be part of history (one day) - Guiness Book of World Records anyone!

It's a festival, a spectacle, a race

Bought to you by the organisers of the legendary coastal classic.

Get an overview of this one-of-a-kind race based on the Barcolana Regatta that now holds the Guinness World Record as the largest regatta in the world. 

It's a festival, a spectacle and a race.  

Take a look at the course where all boats start on the same starting line at the same time!

THE ORGANISING CLUB

All yachts are invited, but this race is

 c/0 the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club. 

Foiling GC32 wins PIC Harbour Classic in record time

PIC Harbour Classic unleashes nautical spectacle with over 50 yachts on Waitematā Harbour

Smooth sailing ahead with an entry fee of $30

The 5 tragic minutes that sank a superyacht

PORTICELLO, Italy — Survivors of a storm that sank a superyacht off Sicily recounted their ordeal to one of the doctors who rushed to their aid, with some saying it took mere minutes for the 180-foot ship to go down. 

Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News on the phone Thursday that he arrived in the seaside village of Porticello before dawn Monday, about an hour after the $40 million Bayesian sank in the violent and sudden storm.   

Of the 22 people onboard, 15 survived despite storm conditions and darkness, climbing onto a lifeboat before being rescued by a nearby sailboat. The crew members have made no public statements so far, though some have been interviewed by investigators.

“They told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down,” Genco said, recounting what the survivors told him. “All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries,” he said. 

It appears they had just minutes to abandon the sinking ship, Genco said. 

“They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there,” he said, “And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes.”

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, the Bayesian's shipbuilder, told Sky News that there were no flaws with the design or construction of the yacht. He said their structure and keel made boats like that “unsinkable bodies.”

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he disavowed responsibility, blaming instead the actions of the crew. “Mistakes were made,” he said. 

Genco said one of his colleagues who arrived at the scene before him initially thought that only three people survived, but the coast guard reported there were other survivors and more emergency services were called in. 

When Genco arrived, he found scenes of panic and despair. 

“Unfortunately, we are used to such panic scenes because we are used to the shipwrecks that happen on Lampedusa ,” Genco said, referring to the island southwest of Sicily, where the wreckage of boats carrying migrants on the sea journey from North Africa to Italy are often found . 

Six of the passengers were declared missing Monday, and by Thursday, the bodies of five had been recovered from the wreck , some 160 feet underwater.

Among those who survived is Angela Bacares, wife of the British tech mogul Mike Lynch , whose body was recovered Thursday. 

Another survivor has been identified as Charlotte Emsley, 35. She told the Italian news agency ANSA that she had momentarily lost hold of her year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but managed to retrieve her and hold her over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were pulled into safety.

Dr. Domenico Cipolla at the Di Cristina Children’s Hospital in Palermo is also part of a team of medical professionals treating the shipwreck survivors. He told the BBC on Wednesday that Emsley and her daughter, as well as the father of the child, who Cipolla said also survived, are continuing to receive psychological help. 

“Psychological support was constant and is constant even today, because basically it is the wounds of the soul that are the most in need of healing in these cases,” Cipolla said.

Genco also told NBC News that he was especially concerned about the child. “She did not understand anything. She was soaking wet and cold,” he said. 

Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, a yacht that was anchored near the Bayesian, said by phone Wednesday that he saw a thunderstorm come in at around 4 a.m. local time (10 p.m. ET) Monday, followed by what looked like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms over water. 

The International Centre for Waterspout Research noted on X that there was a “waterspout outbreak” off Italy on Monday, the day the Bayesian sank. 

“I turned on the engine and made maneuvers so that we wouldn’t collide with the Bayesian, which was anchored about 100 meters from us,” Borner said. “Then all of a sudden it disappeared. Then the wind calmed down, we looked around and saw a red flare.”

Borner said he got into his boat’s tender and saw a life raft with 15 people on it. Members of the crew were administering first aid. 

“I don’t know why it sank so quickly, but it may have something to do with the mast which was incredibly long,” he said. Questions have been raised about whether the mast was to blame for the accident as tall masts, even with the sails down, have more surface area exposed to the wind, which can contribute to tipping a vessel in a storm.

The CCTV footage that emerged Tuesday showed the yacht’s 250-foot mast, believed to be one of the tallest aluminum sailing masts in the world, lashed by the storm as it appears to tilt to one side before disappearing.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Who was onboard tech mogul Mike Lynch's Bayesian yacht?

Topic: Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Six people are missing, including a man dubbed the British Bill Gates, after a luxury yacht sank off the Sicilian coast.

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch — freshly acquitted from a decade-long trial — had invited his work colleagues aboard a trip through the Mediterranean coast when a freak storm saw the yacht sink within moments.

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking vessel. The search for the missing continues.

Here's what we know so far: 

What happened?

The Italian coastguard said the yacht — the Bayesian — was anchored off the shore of port city Porticello, near the Sicilian capital Palermo, when it was hit by bad weather sometime after 4am on Monday, local time. 

Eyewitnesses said it vanished quickly beneath the waves shortly before dawn.

Managers of the sailing vessel Bayesian, Camper & Nicholsons, confirmed to the ABC that the Bayesian encountered severe weather and subsequently sank. 

"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew," they said. 

"The wind was very strong. Bad weather was expected, but not of this magnitude," a coastguard official told Reuters.

Sicily's civil protection agency head, Salvo Cocina, said a waterspout — a tornado over the water — could have struck the yacht.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Mr Cocina added. 

Storms and heavy rainfall had swept down Italy in recent days after weeks of scorching heat, lifting the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea to record levels and raising the risk of extreme weather conditions, experts told Reuters.

"The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius, which is almost 3 degrees more than normal. This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms," meteorologist Luca Mercalli said.

Rescuers recover the body of one of the people aboard the Bayesian.  ( AP: Lucio Ganci )

Captain Karsten Borner of the Sir Robert Baden Powell vessel told journalists he noticed the Bayesian nearby during the storm, but after it calmed he saw a red flare and realised the ship had simply disappeared.

Mr Borner said he and a crew member boarded their tender and found a lifeboat with 15 people, some of them injured, who they then took aboard and alerted the coast guard.

Search crews, including helicopters and divers, are continuing to search the wreckage, lying at a depth of 49 metres.

Specialist divers reached the ship on Monday but access was limited due to objects in the way, the fire brigade said.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is deploying a team of four inspectors to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office said it was "providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families".

Sicilian prosecutors have also opened an investigation into the event. 

Who is missing?

Lawyer Chris Morvillo (left), entrepreneur Mike Lynch, and Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer are among the missing. 

There were 12 passengers and 10 crew members aboard the yacht. 

Mr Cocina said the crew and passengers hailed from a variety of countries, including Britain, the United States, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.

Of the 22, one man is confirmed dead and another six people are still missing. 

They are believed to be inside the hull, fire rescue spokesperson Luca Cari said.

Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman who said he responded to a flare from the vessel but found it sunk, said he stayed at the site for three hours without finding anyone.

"I think they are inside, all the missing people," he said.

Rescue teams recovered the body of the yacht's onboard chef on Monday, identified as Antiguan citizen Ricardo Thomas.

The still missing people include: 

• Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah 
• Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of global financial services company Morgan Stanley International
• Chris Morvillo , a lawyer at the British multinational law firm Clifford Chance. He worked on Mr Lynch's lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard
• The identities of the remaining two missing are still unconfirmed

Who was rescued? 

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking ship. 

Eight have been hospitalised and others were taken to a nearby hotel.

Charlotte Golunski was among those rescued, recalling the harrowing moments she held her child Sofia above the waves.  ( Supplied: Facebook  )

Among those rescued were:

• Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was the owner of the yacht
• Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sofia. Ms Golunski is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm, Invoke Capital. She says she momentarily lost hold of Sofia in the water but managed to hold her up above the waves until the lifeboat was inflated
• Ms Golunski's husband James Emslie
• New Zealand captain of the yacht James Catfield. He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica the crew didn't see the storm coming
• A lone Dutch citizen was identified by the Dutch foreign ministry as being rescued, but was not identified

Who is Mike Lynch?

Mr Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, was recently freed from a Silicon Valley lawsuit that tarnished his legacy. 

The 59-year-old Cambridge-educated mathematician created Autonomy , a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly. 

He received the OBE for his innovation in 2006. 

He then sold the software to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $US11 billion ($16 billion) in 2011, with Mr Lynch personally netting $US800 million. 

HP valued Autonomy at $US46 billion ($68 billion) in the months leading up to the deal.

Mike Lynch in 2019 leaving the High Court in London.  ( Reuters: Henry Nicholls/File Photo )

But the deal quickly turned sour after he was accused of forging the software's financial records to make the sale.

As part of a decades-long legal battle against HP, Mr Lynch was extradited to the UK on criminal fraud charges. 

He steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was being made a scapegoat for HP's own bungling. 

He was eventually cleared of all charges in June this year. 

Although he avoided a possible prison sentence, Lynch still faced a bill from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven't been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $US4 billion. 

Following the San Francisco trial, Mr Lynch said he would return to the UK and do what he loved most: "[being with] my family and innovating in my field."

The holiday appeared to be something of a celebration after Mr Lynch's acquittal, with guests including some of the people who had stood by Lynch throughout the ordeal.

This picture shows the rescue operations off the Sicilian coast.  ( AP: Italian Coast Guard  )

In a separate act of tragedy, Mr Lynch's co-defendant in the trial, Stephen Chamberlain, died on Monday, after a road accident left him critically injured.

Mr Chamberlain — Autonomy's former vice-president of finance alongside Mr Lynch — was hit by a car in Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning and had been placed on life support. 

What is the Bayesian?

The luxury yacht is 56m long sailboat, with a 75m mast labelled as the tallest aluminium mast in the world.

It was previously named Salute when it flew under a Dutch flag.

The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites and a crew of 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. It was last refitted in 2020.

Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $AU 321,000) a week. 

This picture taken on Sunday shows the Bayesian (left) and the Duch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell anchored off the coast line.   ( AP: Fabio La Bianca/Baia Santa Nicolicchia )

The ship also won a string of awards for its design. 

Ms Golunski said the yacht had travelled through the Aeolian Islands, Milazzo and Cefalù before sinking. 

It is likely the yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune was based on Bayesian theory.

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Tensions and hostility against america’s cup sailing competition ‘for the rich’ in barcelona.

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The Red Bull Alinghi AC75 boat sails pass The American Magic AC75 'Patriot' boat during a training ... [+] session in Barcelona. Photo by David Ramos

Resentment against the effects of massive tourism has been brewing for years in Barcelona, and that sentiment has reached new heights this summer precisely as the America’s Cup , the world’s premier sailing competition, starts and becomes the latest target of protests and criticism.

Protesters are blasting the oldest sporting race in the world that runs from August 22 to October 27 as ‘elitist and opaque’, claiming that it’s “just for rich people,” driving up prices for locals and putting the Spanish city under more pressure.

The Platform Against the America’s Cup, created last year to fight “against an event that will generate mass tourism and is already causing the massive diversion of housing to seasonal rentals,” as stated on their site, has said that new protests against the event are being organized as six teams compete to claim the 37th victory of the yacht race .

“A lot of people involved in the race have taken up long-term rents on apartments in the city center and pushed up prices for local people,” Martí Cuso of the Platform warned. “There will be protests coming in the first week of September.”

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Poster by The Platform Against the America’s Cup in Barcelona

According to the daily La Vanguardia of Barcelona, “the America's Cup 2024 disguises the agony of beach clubs in Barcelona and all Catalonia.”

The article explains how, paradoxically, the celebration in Barcelona of the oldest regatta in the world coincides with the demolition of local nautical clubs. “This global event hides the anguish of Catalan sailing clubs threatened by a rigid enforcement of the State Coastal Law.”

“The great legacy that the Cup will bring for Barcelona is the recovery of the coast,” Barcelona’s mayor told El Periodico newspaper.

Las Ramblas pedestrian street with crowds of tourists

Looking for “Quality Tourism”....for the rich

From the official side, The America’s Cup — the ultimate sporting competition for the super-rich — is, in fact, an effort by city officials to attract “quality, rather than quantity” tourism.

The yacht competition is sponsored by the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton , which in late May had already organized a star-studded fashion show in the Park Güell, one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, that caused serious clashes between residents protesting the closure of the park for the glitzy event and baton-wielding police charging at protesters.

A model parades during a Louis Vuitton fashion show at Park Guell on May 24, 2024, in Barcelona, ... [+] planned as part of the 37th America's Cup. Photo By Lorena Sopena

Since then, anger has been growing over the fact that the city is being overrun by tourists and glitzy international events to the detriment of local life.

“Local people say they have been bombarded with calls from estate agents and speculators wanting to buy their homes to cash in on the event, which they say is pushing up rents” the Guardian writes.

Two models of AC75 sailboats during the first day of the last preliminary race of the America's Cup, ... [+] in the Port of Barcelona, on 22 August, 2024. Photo By Alberto Paredes

Displaced by the crowds

Much of the local population has already been driven out of the areas of Barcelona most affected by mass tourism and campaigners fighting for more stringent controls argue that “rather than attracting a ‘better’, high-spending type of tourist, events such as the America’s Cup simply bring more people to a city already struggling to cope with the mass of visitors.”

Those who live near hot spots in the city are frustrated with daily life where, as reported in the New York Times , they feel “displaced by the crowds; pollution along the waterfront where massive cruise ships dock; and everywhere, it seems, an apparent disregard for local culture.”

Jaume Collboni, the socialist mayor of Barcelona, has said that the contest will bring €1.2 billion in revenue for the city, and create jobs. Critics, on the other hand, say that the potential income from the lavish competition will be enjoyed by few as the tournament itself is followed mostly by the elites.

“This is not like the Olympics, where people are interested in the sport,” Cuso told the web news site i . “This is just for rich people who can afford to go and see the yachts on their own boats at sea.”

He went further to explain that the yachts are sponsored by luxury brands that want to use Barcelona to promote their products.

America's Cup trophy

Tensions and hostility rising

Tensions over tourism that finally boiled over into outright hostility has triggered splashy headlines globally, such as the incident last month when some 3,000 residents took to the streets to protest against tourism , some squirting visitors on the city’s famed boulevard Las Ramblas with water guns.

In 2023, 12 million tourists visited Barcelona, a city of 1.6 million residents, making it the favorite destination in Spain. This year, tourism officials ex[ect at least 13 million visitors.

“Their impact includes skyrocketing housing prices, dirty beaches, crowded thoroughfares and the transformation of historic neighborhoods into what locals refer to as “theme parks,” The New York Times writes.

Barcelona is the second Spanish city to host the competition. Valencia hosted two consecutive editions in 2007 and 2010.

Security reinforcements

As for the multi-million pound America’s Cup, a major security operation has been launched around the event and competition areas with more than 650 police deployed in land, six boats patrolling the sea and helicopters flying above Barcelona. The Civil Guard has also deployed divers to reinforce security at sea.

Following years of technological innovation and hundreds of millions of euros of investment from super-rich backers, the Emirates Team New Zealand will be defending the title against challenges by boats from Italy, Switzerland, France, the U.K. and the U.S.

At the round-robin stage, which will last until September 8, each challenger crew races each other twice, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals. Those Challengers of Record will face-off against the reigning champions in a series of races in October.

Most of the teams have had established bases for training in Port Vell, the city’s old port, since last year.

The America’s Cup was first staged on the Isle of Wight in 1851 and is claimed to be the oldest international sporting event in the world. It was last held in 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand, and was won by the hosts.

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Everything you need to know about the 37th America’s Cup

Follow the build-up to the 37th America’s Cup as the teams prepare to fight it out for the oldest sporting trophy in the world.

Which teams are in the 37th America’s Cup?

In 2021 four teams raced in fully foiling AC75 monohulls which were conceived specifically for the event by then Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

These same four teams return for the 2024 America’s Cup and will be joined by two additional teams, bringing the total number of entries up to 6.

Emirates Team New Zealand – America’s Cup Defender

As the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand will be racing again in the 37th America’s Cup. As the Defender, the Kiwis will be guaranteed a spot in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Any other challengers will need to race each other in preliminary regattas for the right to be the single challenger in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Emirates Team New Zealand represent the Royal Auckland Yacht Club in America’s Cup racing.

INEOS Britannia – America’s Cup Challenger of Record

The Challenger of Record is the name given to the first yacht club to challenge the holder of the America’s Cup once it has been won.

When Emirates Team New Zealand successfully completed their defence of the America’s Cup in 2021, the Royal Yacht Squadron immediately issued a challenge on behalf of Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK (now called INEOS Britannia), so they are Challenger of Record for the 37th America’s Cup .

INEOS Britannia and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has strengthened an exhausting relationship, with the British challenger standing to benefit from the technical and engineering experience of the multiple World Champion F1 team.

Luna Rossa perform a tight leeward mark rounding

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has a very long America’s Cup history having first competed in 2000 and has taken part in every Cup since (with the exception of the unique 2010 Deed of Gift match).

For the 36th America’s Cup Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were the challenger of record. They also won the challenger selection series so it was this Italian team who took on Emirates Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup itself.

The team will return for the 37th America’s Cup though this time they are not the official challenger of record.

American Magic

In 2021 the New York Yacht Clubs’ American Magic was also competing, though their event was ultimately ruined by a capsize in the early part of the regatta . They did get the boat rebuilt but it never got back up to speed and they made an early exit.

The 2021 campaign marked the return of the New York Yacht Club to the America’s Cup. The NYYC held the America’s Cup from its inception in 1851 right the way through to 1983, when they were defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Australia II .

American Magic have confirmed their entry into the 37th America’s Cup and will, once again, be representing the New York Yacht Club.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing out training in their training AC75, purchased from Emirates Team New Zealand. Photo: Alinghi Red Bull Racing media

Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Another team making a return to the America’s Cup scene after a long break will be Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi team. The Swiss team won the America’s Cup in 2003 and then completed a successful defence in 2007.

However, a serious falling out over the potential rules for the next America’s Cup saw Alinghi taken to court by Larry Ellison and his BMW Oracle team, the 2010 America’s Cup was held between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing in a Deed of Gift match that saw the teams fight it out in huge multihulls.

BMW Oracle won the contest and Alinghi stepped away from America’s Cup racing. Their return is a welcome one and their Cup history alongside their partnership with Red Bull Racing should see them a solid challenge from the off.

Orient Express Team France

The French entry to the 2024 America’s Cup was long rumoured but it was not until quite late in the day that they officially announced their intention to challenge.

It was in early 2023 that the official announcement came of a French AC entry, backed by Accor Group and its brands Orient Express and ALL-ACCOR Live Limitless.

As a fairly late challenge they will have a lot to do to be competitive.

What boats will be used in the 37th America’s Cup

The Protocol for the 37th America’s Cup has been released including the rules for the class of boat to be used in the next edition of the event. Once again the America’s Cup will be raced for in AC75s . These boats were first brought in ahead of the 36th America’s Cup so this will be their second outing.

The foiling monohulls will be slightly different, with rules being tweaked partly aimed at improving light wind performance and reducing crew numbers from 11 to 8.

Teams will only be allowed to build one AC75 and nationality rules are strict this time around requiring 100% of the race crew for each competitor to either be a passport holder of the country of the team’s yacht club or to have been physically present in that country for 18 months of the previous three years prior to 17th March 2021.

Emirates Team New Zealand saw success in 2017 in Bermuda with their Cyclors . These may well return for the 37th America’s Cup.

When it comes to the events, there will be up to three Preliminary Regattas, the first two raced in a new one-design class of AC40s , the last one at the Match venue in AC75s. The Challenger Selection Series and the America’s Cup Match will be held in 2024.

Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup

Where will the 37th America’s Cup be held?

Barcelona, Spain was selected in 2022 as the venue for the 37th America’s Cup , marking the first time a New Zealand team has chosen to defend a Cup win overseas.

The home city of Emirates Team New Zealand and the venue for the 36th America’s Cup, Auckland, had an exclusive period in which to tender for the regatta immediately after the Kiwis’ successful defence in 2021, but the sums on offer were not enough, and Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton cast the net wider internationally after rejecting a NZ$99 million (£50 million) offer from the New Zealand government.

A number venues were mooted including: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cork, Ireland; Malaga, Spain, but Barcelona eventually won out.

When will the 37th America’s Cup be raced?

The America’s Cup will be held in 2024 in Barcelona. Racing in the 37th America’s Cup Match itself, which is a best of 13 (first to seven) format will start on Saturday 12th October 2024 and could run all the way to the 27th October should all the races be needed to pick a winner.

The America’s Cup will be proceeded by the challenger selection series, which will see which of the five challenger gets the honour to race New Zealand for the Cup itself.

The stated aim was to hold the event in the September-October window, which will allow for the Olympic Games in Paris, France to conclude and also offers a decent range of weather with wind speeds usually around the 9-15 knot mark.

Match Racing

Though the America’s Cup was first raced for in 1851 ( and won by the schooner America from which the trophy gets its name), this race was between a fleet of boats. A challenge by the British in the 1870s was also conducted as a fleet race.

By the 1880s, following a protest from the British, the America’s Cup was decided in a head-to-head match race where two boats sail against each other.

Match racing is a particular skill and encourages aggressive manoeuvres using the rules to put your opponent at a disadvantage. This cut-and-thrust racing, where the only objective is to beat your opponent, has long been at the heart of America’s Cup racing and produces a thrilling spectacle.

You can catch all the latest America’s Cup news, analysis and videos right here on Yachtingworld.com

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Latest News: 2023 McIntyre Ocean Globe Prize giving!

days hrs mins secs

History Made at Whitbread Reunion in Auckland. Final Frantic Frenzy and Drama! Then to Cape Horn.

THREE DAYS TO GO- MCINTYRE OCEAN GLOBE

• A historic evening of memories and tales of adventure at the MCINTYRE OCEAN GLOBE 50th Whitbread Reunion in Auckland . Sailing royalty relives the ‘good old days’. Ceramco NZ , Maiden , “ Fisher and Paykel ” and Flyer are among the Whitbread yachts represented.
• Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) Green Card not revalidated for start on Sunday 14th January. They won’t leave with the fleet!
• Last-minute frenzy of preparation for the 13-strong OGR fleet before slipping lines for Cape Horn Leg. Provisioning, engine issues, and crew changes are just a few of the challenges of sailing around the world like it’s 1973.
• A busy social calendar of events for skippers and crew – captain’s dinner, crew briefing, prizegiving.
• COUNTDOWN TO RACE START: 3 DAYS TO GO. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW!

It was an emotional evening at Jellicoe Harbour in Auckland last night as old friends and sailing ‘rivals’ gathered for a historic Whitbread Reunion – celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first race. Legends of the Whitbread Race down through the years came together, some having not seen each other in decades. Hugs, back-slapping, reliving adventures on the high seas a few beers and lots of laughter were the order of the evening – not to mention outrageous tales of in-port escapades from the ‘olden days’, making today’s crew partying feel rather tame in comparison!! 

Barry Pickthall , AKA Mr Whitbread and Peter Montgomery , AKA the voice of the Whitbread , hosted the casual evening in the Ocean Globe Race office, located next to the race fleet prepping for race start for Leg 3, Auckland to Punta del Este starting on Sunday, 14th January . Fifty veterans representing yachts dating back to 1973 attended the event with many planning on taking to the seas once again on Sunday to wave the OGR off.

Aucklander Simon Gundry who sailed on Ceramco 1981/82 and Lion NZ 1985/86 was one of the veterans delighted to be catching up with his sailing buddies and recalled some of the memories that have stayed with him over the years.

The biggest memory would be the mast falling down a day out from the equator on the way to Cape Town . We spent a couple of hours having a cup of tea thinking about it and then got together to work out what to do. We organised what was left over after the rig was over the side of the boat and rigged a jury rig and sailed the nearly 4000 miles to Cape Town – we were at sea in total for nearly 50 days. On a night like this is great seeing a lot of guys we haven’t seen for a long time, really great. And to those heading off on Sunday I’d say, be safe, be safe, have a good time, but be safe. Aucklander Simon Gundry, Whitbread Veteran, sailed on Ceramco 1981/82 and Lion NZ 1985/86

Claire Russell who sailed on Maiden (89/90) is delighted to see Maiden back again in the race.

It’s amazing to see Maiden, which is an iconic yacht back here with another team of girls. It is really, really wonderful. This race is slightly different from our one, but it’s still all about the people. It’s always been about the people. And that’s what makes evenings like this so interesting. Claire Russell, sailed on Maiden (89/90)

Paul Cayard , Whitbread Veteran and race winner, when he skippered EF Language to victory in 1997-98, and now mentoring Translated 9 , knows firsthand how transformative the race is.

I’ve sailed in America’s Cup and the Olympics but the truth of the matter is whenever I get together with these guys we only talk about around-the-world sailing and it’s because of the bond you form when you’re at sea for 20 days at a time. There’s no family, no media, no distractions. The bonds with your crew are super strong. You go through very tough times – you go through the best and worst of times together. That is something that around the world sailing gives us that you don’t really get in other sports. Paul Cayard, Whitbread Veteran, skippered EF Language to victory in 1997-98.

Tony Stevenson , Chairman of the New Zealand Sailing Trust , who attended the reunion is passionate about the Ocean Globe race coming to Auckland .  Former Whitbread boats Steinlager 2 and Lion New Zealand are under the stewardship of the trust.

Having the race here reminds us of an era that was so special not only to Kiwis but to global yacht racing. It has gone through a variety of different setups but it doesn’t really change. To circumnavigate the world is something really special and to see these boats here is something really special too. Tony Stevenson, Chairman of the New Zealand Sailing Trust

Finnish yacht Spirit of Helsinki FI (71) currently sitting 2nd in IRC rating after Leg 1 and 2 has not had their Green Card re-validated by close of business on Friday 12th – meaning they will be unable to start the race with the fleet on Sunday 14th . OGR discovered and established that many crew members are paying to be onboard, amounts substantially over euro 3750 per leg which brings the entry into an OGR category defined as commercial. That requires an entry fee supplement, as per the Notice of Race and entry conditions. Previously the captain had declared in a mandatory declaration that NO CREW were paying over euro 3750 per leg, so the supplement was not required. Now it is. It is a requirement for all entrants who participate in the OGR, that entry fees are paid and current. The entry fee supplement has not been paid, so revalidation of the green card is not possible until such time as it is.

Skipped by Jussi Paavoseppä , Spirit of Helsinki , formerly known as ex-Fazer Finland when she raced in the 1985 Whitbread, took line honours and first in Sayula Class in Leg 1. Leg 2 also proved successful for the Swan 651, coming 3rd in line honours and first in Sayula Class.

Meanwhile, Explorer AU (28) is under extreme pressure to get their engine repaired in time for the Sunday start. Getting parts for a broken fuel injector pump is proving problematic for the crew of the Swan 57 who only arrived in Auckland last week. The clock is ticking.

South African entrants Sterna SA (42) have made great strides in their preparations and look set to be on the start, despite having only six days for the many maintenance jobs required. Golden Globe sailor Jeremy Bagshaw will take over the role as skipper from Melissa Du Toit . Melissa will remain on board as first mate.

Two yachts have received dispensation for Leg 3 for not sailing with a woman onboard, which is part of the Notice of Race. L’Esprit d équipe FR (85) and Neptune FR (56) will sail with an all male crew after it proved too difficult to find a female crew member at short notice over the festive season.

Capucine Treffot, who is now sailing on Leg 3 onboard Maiden , sailed on Leg 1 and 2 on L’Esprit d’équipe . She was the only woman onboard on leg 2 and while she had a great experience with her fellow crew mates on the former Whitbread-winning yacht, she believes having more females onboard is vital.

It’s tough being the only woman onboard. There is some stuff you can’t share and sometimes you feel really alone. I’d very good friends on the boat, so I’m not missing friends, I’m missing another woman onboard. A mixed crew should mean more than just one woman. It should actually be really mixed. says Capucine, who is very excited to sail around Cape Horn on Maiden.

Maryama Seck , also a Maiden sailor experienced what it’s like being the only female onboard when she completed Leg 1 on Neptune .

I think being part of a mixed crew shouldn’t mean you’re the only woman onboard. It should mean mixed and more balanced. Maryama Seck, Leg 1 Crew on Neptune, now Leg 3 on Maiden.

Besides maintenance, provisioning and general last-minute panic, crew’s diaries have been filled with briefing and social events.

The all-crew briefing held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron allowed the crews to view the many, many trophies on display, including the America’s Cup . It also gave the crew the chance for a little “What Don Will Say During A Briefing Bingo”. Compiled by the crew of Maiden UK (03), some of the phrases expected Don   (OGR Founder and Race Director) would include in his briefing were ‘Back in the day’, ‘ Penalty’, ‘Human Stories’ and ‘Here’s the Deal’. And he did not disappoint – it only took 17 minutes before ‘BINGO’ was called as a line of ‘Don-isms’ was completed.

WHERE TO WATCH THE RACE START: January 14th 14:00 hrs.

On The Day – Group Photos and Yachts slip lines from Jellicoe Harbour, Wynyard Marina at 12:00hr

Race Start – 14:00hr

Start Line – Off the breakwater at Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Where to Watch The Start? From the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron the yachts will sail up the harbour to a rounding mark off the Royal Akarana Yacht Club then proceed towards North Head. You can view the action all along the coast from the Yacht Squadron to North Head.

Don McIntyre OGR Chairman and Founder

Don McIntyre is the founder and underwriter of the goldengloberace.com the oceangloberace.com and the minigloberace.com . Follow him at mcintyreadventure.com .

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Want to See America’s Cup Racing Up Close? These 9 Yacht Charters Let You Watch From the Water

Options range from 200-foot-plus superyachts with side trips to ibiza to intimate sailing vessels catered by michelin-starred chefs. let the races begin., jemima sissons, jemima sissons's most recent stories.

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Next week, when the 37 th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup kicks off in Barcelona with its opening ceremony, the contest that began in 1851 with a race around the Isle of Wight between the fastest British and American sloops (the yacht America won handily) will come back to Europe for the first time in 14 years.

The move to the Catalan capital from the 2021 event in New Zealand will make it more accessible to sailing fans in Europe, and even North Americans who want to view the fast, technical AC75 foiling boats in person. Barcelona has been preparing itself for a surge of spectators for the “return” of the Cup, which was held twice in Valencia, Spain, in the aughts.

The America’s Cup may be billed as “the race with no second place,” but it takes three months of racing and four events for one of five Challenger teams to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, and that winner will race Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup final. The racing runs from August through October, and this year includes a first-time all-women’s America’s Cup as well as an event for the world’s best youth sailors.

Having Barcelona as a venue was a smart move, partly for the gorgeous beaches fronting the race course on the Med. But there is also the city’s magnificent architecture and sense of history as well as vibrant arts, culture and, of course, no shortage of Michelin-starred restaurants.

There are many five-star hotels in the area, but the smartest and most thrilling way to see racing is by water. The vessel options are wide-ranging—from weeklong superyacht charters to luxury suites on a cruise ships to day trips on sailboats with Michelin-starred cuisine. Many can be combined with on-land stays and even cruises to other parts of Spain as part of the itineraries.

One important note: Four zones adjoining the race course allow spectator boats. Before chartering a vessel, be sure to find out which zone the boat will operate in, because that impacts how close you are to the racing.

Here are 9 options to suit the most avid Cup aficionados or those visiting Barcelona who want to sip champagne and watch the AC75 foiling boats battle it out.

Superyacht ‘Resilience’

Edmiston is offering charters aboard the 212-foot Resilience during the America’s Cup. The ISA-built superyacht, designed by Enrico Gobbi, features a mosaic-tiled pool, circular fire pit and a BBQ for a ringside lunch. Post-race pampering comes via the steam room, sundeck jacuzzi and gym, and there’s even a self-playing Edelweiss piano and projector for evening entertainment. The vessel sleeps 12 across seven cabins. From September 16, weekly charters start at about $645,000 (€600,000).

Explora Journeys

The soon-to-be-launched Explora II looks very much like its sistership, the Explora I : onyx finishes, self-playing Steinways, on-deck Technogym bikes, a spa with a Himalayan salt room, Dunhill cigar den and a wine cellar boasting decades-old Chateau Latour. With 461 luxury suites, how was the Explora II chosen to become an America’s Cup viewing platform? The idea came from the top down. 

“I love sailing and believe the Med is the most beautiful sea on earth,” Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group, told Robb Report during a visit aboard Explora I in Barcelona. “We thought if only our customers could also experience [the America’s Cup], we can call it the ocean state of mind.” 

Explora II launches in mid-September, with itineraries planned to coincide with the different Cup events. On October 6, the vessel will be in port for the Louis Vuitton Cup Final and Puig Women’s Races. Guests can take a walk to the official race village and experience its excitement before watching the races from their suites. A 10-night journey starts from $5,210 per guest.

The Almanac Sailing Experience

Barcelona’s Almanac hotel has a romantic-gastronomic experience that offers guests front-row seats on a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 sailboat with a capacity for 10 guests. Besides the racing, the package includes two nights at the hotel. The boat comes with the hotel’s branded slippers and Jimmy Boyd bespoke amenities. Enjoy a selection of customized Cava Bellinis from the pop-up bar. Chefs from the hotels’ restaurant will also serve up shrimp salad and fennel ceviche paired with organic Spanish wines. The boat can be chartered every Saturday from August 31 to October 26. The Louis Vuitton Cup round-robin starts on August 29 and lasts through Sept. 8. There’s also the Puig Women’s Race (first all-female America’s Cup in its 171-year history) and, of course, the America’s Cup finals in October. Prices start at $2,940 per couple. 

Superyacht ‘C’

For a majestic week-long cruise that incorporates America’s Cup summer races and possible side itineraries in Costa Dorada, Sitges and Formentera, Camper & Nicholsons’ expansive 177-ft C is the flashy option, defined by Minotti furniture, lacquered panels and a hamman. It also sleeps 12 in six cabins that feature a master and two VIP suites. Its chase boat also offers a great opportunity for side trips. Weekly charters from Sept. 18-October 31 run from about $513,000 or €400,000.

Sailing Yacht ‘Imagine’

UK adventure specialists Pelorus offer a private seat on an elegant sailing boat seeped in America’s Cup history. Built in New Zealand by Alloy Yachts, Imagine is a 110-footer that served as an official viewing platform for the America’s Cup in Auckland, but it has also completed three global circumnavigations. Beyond its sailing chops, it’s a beautiful vessel, with a blonde, teak-lined deck, large salon and dining area, and three cabins for sleeping seven guests. It will be available from October 12 for the America’s Cup final. Pelorus is also offering to bookend the week with trips to Majorca and Ibiza. About $101,000 (£79,121)

Superyacht ‘Diane’

Also available from Edmiston, the 141-ft Diane can accommodate 10 guests in five staterooms for the week. The interior is all about soft hues, featuring cream leather and white marble, boasting a bar and plenty of outdoor seating for watching the races. For the non-race legs, guests can take to the water via the large beach club, complete with seabobs and wakeboards. It has a Balearics license, making a hop to Ibiza or Majorca a possibility. Weekly charter rates from September 23 run about $150,000 per week (€140,000)

Black Tomato Cup Package

Incorporating a city-stay, Black Tomato’s America’s Cup getaway includes a day’s private day charter to view the race, plus five nights at the Mandarin Oriental as well as visiting the regatta course and different bases of the America’s Cup teams for an insider’s look at the operations and technology. As a dayboat, its Bali Yacht Saxador 400 GTO can accommodate 11 guests. It sets sail from Port Olympic, giving guests a sweeping view of the city on one side and the regatta course on the other. The boat has access to the blue area (for preferred charter boats) on the front line. From $12,750 per person, based on two people.

Superyacht ‘Quasar’

Camper & Nicholsons recently introduced the 153-foot Quasar to the charter market and what a great way to end the Med season than by viewing the America’s Cup. It has six cabins (including two master suites) that can accommodate 12 guests, along excellent outdoor seating, an upper salon that joins the aft deck area for viewing the races or dining al-fresco. The beach club has a large selection of water toys. Visits to scenic Med ports around Barcelona are also possible on the week’s charter, which start at about $232,000 (€210,000).  

Superyacht ‘Kiawah’

For front row seats on day charters in the blue zone (the third-closest area to the races), official charter partner ac37 Sailcharters offers different types of vessels and packages. The 110-foot Kiawah features a cocktail lunch on board, a specialized lecture from an expert sailor, and an AV system to follow the race in real time. From August 22 through October 11, daily rates are about $34,000 (€30,800) and during the America’s Cup finals October 12-27, rates move to about $41,000 (€37,400).

Read More On:

• America's Cup
• Louis Vuitton

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