Voyage of a lifetime

Oyster Yachts has opened entries for the Oyster World Rally 2030-31 – a fully-supported circumnavigation for Oyster owners and their families and friends. Following four highly successful editions, and as the 2026 fleet settles into the early chapters of its own global voyage, Oyster once again invites a new generation of owners to join sailing’s most profound journey. Open only to Oyster owners and limited to just 30 yachts, the 2030–31 Rally will begin in Antigua in January 2030, covering 27,000 nautical miles and crossing three oceans. The Rally route has been meticulously planned to align with favourable global weather systems, ensuring owners experience each destination at its very best. From the wildlife-rich waters of the Galápagos Islands to the lagoons of French Polynesia, the vastness of the Pacific, Australia’s east coast, the Indian Ocean islands, South Africa, Brazil and a triumphant return to the Caribbean, the Oyster World Rally is a modern-day voyage of exploration. Carefully structured yet inherently flexible, it is designed to offer both the reassurance of professional support and the freedom for owners to shape their own adventure. Read more here.

Inside America’s Cup

With exclusive footage from the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Teams Presentation in Naples, the new ‘Inside America’s Cup’ series available as both a podcast and a vodcast gets you closer to the action, the people, the rumours and the gossip than ever before. Presented by Niall Myant-Best, one of the world’s leading sailing commentators and presenters with experience across The Ocean Race and the BBC’s coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the aim is simple: To bring you, the fans, inside the velvet rope, inside the America’s Cup and ask those burning questions, often tricky, that no-one else dare ask. For this first episode, Niall and the team were onsite in Naples at the Palazzo Reale, interviewing the likes of Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principal of the Challenger of Record GB1, Bruno Dubois, co-CEO of K-Challenge, Ernesto Bertarelli, Team Owner of Tudor Team Alinghi and of course, the local favourites Luna Rossa and CEO Max Sirena. We also hear from co-helm of the winning Luna Rossa team at the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup, Margherita Porro, about her hopes and ambitions for 2027 and beyond. Sign up to the America’s Cup Channel here   americascup.com

Celebrating the rebirth of a champion

Palm Beach XI was christened in Sydney, celebrating the rebirth of a legend ahead of the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. After an extraordinary five-month sprint, Mark Richards and his team are nearing completion of a transformation few would attempt on a yacht of this pedigree. More than 300 guests gathered at the historic Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour to witness the christening of the newly modified Supermaxi Palm Beach XI, formerly known as Wild Oats XI. The christening of Palm Beach XI was done by venerable Australian yachtsman and longtime friend and Palm Beach Motor Yacht owner Colin O’Neil. The event marked the culmination of a 165-day global transformation of the 20-yearold supermaxi designed to return her back to the world stage of ocean racing starting with the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race taking place on 26 December. Read more here.

Timely tradition

Rolex celebrates the 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a proud milestone for an event defined by courage, endurance and human achievement. Since its inception in 1945, the Sydney Hobart has transcended sailing to become a global icon woven into maritime and sporting history. Title Sponsor since 2002, Rolex enjoys a partnership with race organizer the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia that is a cornerstone of the Swiss watchmaker’s near 70-year association with yachting. The line-up for the 2025 race is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated this century, with more than 130 yachts registered, including a selection of the world’s leading maxi yachts. The fleet also boasts an array of former race winners and a broad spread of elite international talent. In 2025, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race commemorates its 80th edition. More than just a yacht race, it has become a celebration of human endeavour, courage and accomplishment. While Rolex celebrates the journey undertaken by all competing crews, the outstanding achievement of the overall winning team is recognised by a specially engraved Rolex timepiece. This year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the 80th edition, will begin Friday 26 December. Read more about this milestone edition here.   rolex.com

The Last Seat

The latest episode of SailGP’s Racing on the Edge spotlights the penultimate 2025 Season showdown – where hopes are dashed and competition collides. Called “The Last Seat”, the latest episode SailGP’s Racing on the Edge reveals new details about the uncertainty and control that ended Peter Burling’s America’s Cup campaign with team New Zealand. The latest episode of SailGP’s behind-the-scenes docuseries Racing on the Edge, produced in partnership with Rolex, takes fans inside the penultimate event of the 2025 Season in Cádiz – where championship hopes, personal challenges and team dynamics collide under intense pressure. Read more about this compelling episode of Racing on the Edge here.   SailGP.com

Prelims take off

Saturday 16 September, Day 2, saw the first day of racing for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain, after Friday’s racing was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions.

Racing got away in marginal foiling conditions for the opening contest before the wind shut down creating a displacement finish with the time limit in play.

For the 37th America’s Cup all events are free to watch: online, on land and on the water. No ticketing will be required at any venues, regatta or pre-regattas. The America’s Cup is free to watch for everyone.

Watch highlights of Day 2 here.

americascup.com

Eddie’s Oyster odyssey

Eddie Jordan, owner of Oyster 885, Lush, recounts his reasons for joining the Oyster Rally, one of his “Bucket List” life experiences.

The Oyster World Rally is regarded as the world’s most iconic round the world rally.  A 27,000-mile, 16-month adventure, stopping at some of the world’s most remote locations, sharing the journey with an international fleet of Oyster Yachts, while fully supported by the Oyster Rally Technical team. 

So, when in 2013, Formula One supremo Eddie Jordan, decided to take part in the very first Rally with his new Oyster 885, Lush, he created memories to last a lifetime in what he quotes as being the most ‘amazing trip of his life’.

‘Eddie Jordan’s Voyage of a Lifetime’ is now being made into a new four-part series to celebrate 50 years of Oyster Yachts and mark the 10th anniversary of the Oyster World Rally. In it Jordan relives his world rally and looks to inspire others to take on this round-the-world voyage. 

Each episode takes the viewer deep into his journey, from the initial decision to take part in the first ever Oyster World Rally and his choice of an Oyster 885, the start in Antigua, to exploring the Caribbean’s paradise atolls and an exhilarating crossing of the Panama Canal. The series continues with a look at the diverse wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and the best places to visit in French Polynesia, and concludes with Jordan’s stand out moments sailing off Indonesia and Cape Town. 

With the fourth Oyster World Rally due to start in January 2024, this series offers a unique behind the scenes look at one person’s experience and their adventure of a lifetime.

oysteryachts.com

Sailing & Paddling Hub

Nic Douglass, known far and wide as “Sailor Girl” and her coverage of sailing events all over the world, was host and facilitator for the Sailing and Paddling Hub at SIBS 2023, interviewing a cast of thousands from all parts of the sport.

As Nic explains, “On the stage, we had personalities talking about their incredible experiences on the water, from Lisa Blair on her records around Australia and Antarctica, to Michelle Lee, who has solo rowed the Atlantic and Pacific. Both of these amazing women had their boats on display in the marina as well before they head to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Sarah Davis spoke about her adventure being the first woman to lead an exhibition by paddle down the Nile, and joined Kathy Veel and Sarah Kenny on the main stage with Lisa and Michelle for what was a career highlight for me, the Women on Water panel.”

sailorgirlhq.com

SailGP ski

Professional waterskier, sports presenter and Channel Seven’s Sunrise reporter, Mark Beretta took a tow behind a different kind of speed boat in the Australia SailGP F50 foiling catamaran ahead of KPMG Sail Grand Prix Australia | Sydney. Beretta enjoyed riding in the wake of the world’s fastest yachts, capable of speeds up to 54 knots or 100 km/h.

KPMG Sail Grand Prix Australia | Sydney runs 18 & 19 February 2023 on Sydney Harbour.

SailGP.com

SailGP: Racing on the Edge

Season 3, Episode 7: Team & Nation – Part 1 | SailGP

Tom Slingsby has had a target on his back from the very first weekend of SailGP, having established himself as one of the best sailors in the world and winning that first event (and season) decisively. But this season he faces stiffer competition than ever before, and nowhere does he feel the pressure to perform more than his home waters of Sydney Harbour.

Watch the Australia SailGP team’s journey unfold on 7Mate, 7Plus, Fox Sports and KAYO or via SailGP’s official Youtube channel. 

KPMG Sail Grand Prix | Sydney takes place 18 & 19 February on Sydney Harbour.

Festival of Sails Highlights

Two-time Olympian, Lisa Darmanin shares the highlights of the 2022 Festival of Sails and the 179th Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race.

In 2023, Geelong’s Festival of Sails will celebrate a major milestone in the 180th anniversary of its iconic Passage Race between Melbourne and Geelong.

The Passage Race normally attracts more than 200 entries as boats and yachts of all classes take to the waters of Port Phillip Bay for the opening challenge of the four-day regatta, which will run from Thursday 26 January to Sunday 29 January 2023. 

festivalofsails.com.au

Great Race returns – RSHYR

A diverse and competitive fleet will chase history in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, headlined by the battle for the Tattersall Cup and the introduction of the Two-Handed Division.

For the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, six Australian states and territories are represented in the fleet of 106 boats (NSW, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and ACT), along with three international entries (Black Jack – Monaco; Maverick 49 – Guernsey; SHK Scallywag 100 – Hong Kong).

Matt Allen’s Botin 52 Ichi Ban is hoping to become only the third boat to win the Tattersall Cup (awarded to the overall winner on handicap) three times, having won the 2017 and 2019 editions of the race. Simon Kurts’ S&S 47 Love & War is one of the two boats on that elite list (Freya is the other) and will be one to watch if the breeze is strong and blowing from different directions.

Speaking at the Official Media Launch for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart, Allen said “We have a chance of going back-to-back, but we will put that out of our minds – we’re pretty superstitious!

“You need all the moons to align [to win the Tattersall Cup]. You need a terrific boat, a terrific crew, but you also need luck down Storm Bay and the Derwent River.”

“We are delighted to see such a strong fleet for the return of this Great Race,” said Noel Cornish AM, Commodore of the race organiser, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. “Planning for the race has been a truly collaborative effort as we adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring we can conduct the race in compliance with any restrictions outlined by the NSW and Tasmanian State Governments.

The Boxing Day start of the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network throughout Australia and live-and-on-demand on the 7Plus app.

rolexsydneyhobart.com

Photo: (L-R) Jules Hall, Matt Allen AM, Jen Linkova, Christian Beck and David Griffith AM.

Credit: Andrea Francolini