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.

Behind the scenes: Palm Beach XI refit

The dream team of boat builders unite on a complex refit in the new chapter of champion Supermaxi, Palm Beach XI, working around the clock to have her ready in time for relaunch to compete in the iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Overseen by Palm Beach Motor Yachts’ founder and CEO, Mark Richards, the works have been undertaken in a staggering five months by the craftspeople and specialists – many of whom built the iconic sailing yacht which holds a record-breaking nine Line Honours in the RSHYR, and a famous “triple” (line honours, record, overall) in 2005 and 2012. For 20 years, Richards helmed Australia’s most celebrated 100-footer to her many victories and is now steering her as Palm Beach XI to a new era of yachting achievement through design and engineering excellence. 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

First 30 planing pleasure

Beneteau has shared the video from the sea trial of the sensational Beneteau First 30, part of a groundbreaking new category of sailboats – the planing cruisers. Those first to experience the new planing model report, “Everyone from our team who managed to go on board the new planing cruiser, First 30, was positively surprised. “We all knew that the boat would sail/plane well, as it is a design by Sam Manuard, but the first experience was really good, and we cannot wait to share it with you, too. Till then, stay tuned and follow Beneteau channels, as we will share more videos of planing.” Read more about the ground-breaking First 30 here.   beneteau.com/first-30

Lisa Blair on Climate Action Now

Lisa Blair, solo sailor, author, BIA Sustainability Ambassador and climate change warrior, has achieved so much in her sailing career aboard 150-metre yacht, Climate Action Now and through her speaking engagements worldwide. Lisa is the driving force behind Climate Action Now, a project which is designed to focus on actions that can be taken towards solutions, rather than the problem itself. At SIBS 2024, Lisa spoke with Ocean about her objectives in the role of Sustainability Ambassador, her own commitment to sustainable practices on board her yacht, and her focus on raising awareness of the impact of microplastic pollution and climate change on our aquatic environment. Lisa also shares with us her plans for sailing solo and circumnavigating the Arctic – only possible because of melting ice. “Over the past decade of my career I have noticed the impact that climate change has on our environment,” she said. “The storms are more aggressive and less predictable, the absence of wildlife when years earlier those seas were brimming with life and the increased risk of collision with ice as the glaciers keep melting. These are all symptoms of climate change. What we know is that a greater awareness needs to be reached and action needs to be taken.”   lisablairsailstheworld.com Videography romanliebich.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

Cagliari capsize

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli took advantage of the change in conditions with a blast out in their super-refined LEQ12.

With a choppy swell running at 0.6 metres, and a steady 16 knots breeze, huge plumes of spray were sent hurtling skywards to half-mast height at times as the team, led by Jimmy Spithill and Ruggero Tita driving in alternate pods with Umberto Molineris and Andrea Tesei supporting, really put the hammer down and started to thoroughly test the capabilities of their brand new, stunning test platform.

www.lunarossachallenge.americascup.com

Eddie’s little treasure

Eddie Jordan reveals how Oyster’s 495 “jewel in the crown” fulfils his need for speed.

From the Oyster 885 to the brand-new Oyster 495, Eddie Jordan has been living the Oyster Yachts experience for over 10 years, and he’s not looking back now.

The Formula 1 legend spoke about racing at this year’s Palma Regatta his bold new Oyster 495, Tortuga, known as “Tuga”, and why he chose and loves Oyster Yachts. “I want people to be able to see, first-hand, how good this boat is to sail.”

Here, Eddie explains why he chose the ‘baby of the Oyster fleet’ and the environmental significance of his new yacht’s name.

With 20 Oyster 495’s already sold since it was premiered in London in April, and shortlisted in the luxury cruiser category of the European Yacht of the Year Awards, the Oyster 495 certainly combines outstanding race performance within a luxury blue water cruiser.

www.oyster.com

AC37 Protocol announcement

America’s Cup

The Protocol of the 37th America’s Cup was released today by the Defender, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand and the Challenger of Record – Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd and their representative team INEOS Britannia, eight months to the day after Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the America’s Cup.

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The 37th America’s Cup will be Defended by four-time America’s Cup winner, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron represented by their team, Emirates Team New Zealand.

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Partnership against plastic

Sporting greats assembled on a floating tennis court to shine the spotlight on the plastic problem and launch Adidas’ sustainable collaboration Made With Parley Ocean Plastic.

A week out from the Australian Open and floating roughly 10 kilometres off the coast above the world’s largest coral reef system, a barge that regularly travels through the Great Barrier Reef for important environmental marine construction and dive projects was transformed into a floating tennis court.

Ian Thorpe, Jess Fox, Nathan Cleary and Steph Claire Smith hit out on the floating court, promoting the adidas tennis apparel range Made With Parley Ocean Plastic, which will debut at the Australian Open in Melbourne starting 17 January 2022.

Adidas ambassador Ian Thorpe said “The design of the new Adidas Tennis range Made With Parley Ocean Plastic, is inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, so it was appropriately launched in the stunning heritage-protected Queensland marine park today to raise awareness and positive discussion around how we can help End Plastic Waste.

“Plastic is a problem that has reached unfathomable proportions: Unless we change course, there will be more plastic waste in the sea than fish by 2050. This waste is destroying the oceans.”

The Adidas tennis court surface will be fully recycled into a sports court, donated to a local Townsville school, paving the way for school kids to unite through sport and play a part in creating a more sustainable world.

adidas.com.au/parley

AC40 fleet in formation

The McConaghy Boats production facility has been working 24/7 carving out the tooling for the hull of the new AC40 class.

The AC40 hull shape is based on Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC75 ‘Te Rehutai’, but is already a generational step forward incorporating a number of developments learned after the completion of AC36 last year.

In usual America’s Cup fashion, the AC40 design and production timeline has been highly condensed yet achievable due to a global collaboration led by Emirates Team New Zealand design team with Dan Bernasconi and Richard Meacham central to the management of the production process with Mark Evans Group Managing Director of McConaghy Boats.

“While the genesis of the AC40 project comes from the familiar design and innovation of the people within the Emirates Team New Zealand design department we have really had to push the limits by utilising a combination of the best of the New Zealand Marine industry as well as key offshore partnerships,” said Meacham.

“Specialised elements like the rigs are being built by Southern Spars and the boat building talent we have at the ETNZ build facility are producing the foil arms. We also have a great partnership utilising the production power of an organisation like McConaghy Boats in China for the hulls, decks and fit out as well as North Sails Marine group with the aero package.

“Currently there are already eight AC40s under order with McConaghy’s, with teams lined up awaiting possession. We have a world leading marine sector here in New Zealand, but like so many industries there are labour resource constraints, so without partnering with McConaghy’s and utilising their production capabilities we simply would not be able to fulfill the orders in time.”

americascup.com

Ocean Club’s on-water 2021 SailGP exclusive

On 17 and 18 December 2021, the Ocean Club welcomed VIP guests on board the luxury motor yacht Caviar for two incredible days of SailGP racing.

For the third time, SailGP lit up Sydney Harbour with some of the best sailing seen from the F50s, with high winds on the final day making for particularly exciting viewing.

Tom Slingsby and the Australian team won the Sydney event, opening up a two-point championship lead in front of their US rival for the finals in March 2022 in San Francisco.

Both afternoons, our guests enjoyed some of the most incredible experiences they’ve ever had out on the water, accompanied by exquisite Laurenti French Champagne and wine, gin and vodka from Wine and Only, as well as local beer from White Bay Beer. Naturally, drinks were served with the finest black caviar from Simon Johnson and the freshest oysters and prawns from Musumeci Seafoods.

On both days, over fifty guests enjoyed Sydney’s oldest but newest charter yacht, Caviar. Built in 1955, Caviar started life as an Australian minesweeper before being decommissioned. Many years later, she has been brought back to life by a passionate owner, determined for her to become one of Sydney’s most charming charter experiences.

“Inviting our Ocean Club guests on board Caviar, one of Australia’s most unique luxury charter yachts, for exceptional views of the F1 racing on the harbour was such a pleasure,” said Hillary Buckman, Managing Director of Ocean Media.

We would like to give special thanks to our valued Elite sponsors Benetti Yachts, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, Tourism Australia and ACME Quality Marine Clothing, together with our Ocean Partners White Bay Beer, Cotswold InOut Furniture, Analu Luxury Italian Interiors and Laurenti Champagne.

The Ocean Club tender service was supplied by Windcraft’s new RYCK tender, and our stunning 1955 luxury charter motor yacht Caviar and her exceptional crew offered us the best platform to view the racing on Sydney Harbour – you simply can’t get any closer to the action!

Ocean Media was again proud to be appointed an Official Supplier by SailGP for the third year.

oceanmedia.com.au
oceanmagazine.com.au
sailsmagazine.com.au
oceanclubinternational.com
sailgp.com

📸  Roman Liebich Photography