The zero-emission catamaran “Race for Water” has reached Madeira finishing the first leg on its journey across the Atlantic. The first of its kind yacht has been utilizing the innovative kite propulsion system developed by SkySails Yacht GmbH of Hamburg/Germany throughout the voyage.
The SkySails system was installed on “Race for Water” at the start of April prior to its departure from Lorient/France making the vessel the first kite-powered wind/solar hybrid yacht in history. The SkySails drive has demonstrated remarkably impressive performance on its maiden voyage. Under ideal conditions the kite measuring only 40m2 accelerates the 35m 100 tons yacht to a speed of up to 10 knots using only the power of wind.
Captain Jean-Marc Normant : “We are extremely happy with the performance and easy handling of the automated system.”
“Race for Water”, built at the Knieriem shipyards in Kiel/Germany in 2010 and formerly known as “Planet Solar” became famous for circumnavigating the globe powered exclusively by a solar electric drive. The catamaran now forms the heart of the “Race for Water” foundation which is dedicated to raising the public’s awareness of plastics pollution and educating it on preventing further environmental damage and pollution (for more information visit www.raceforwater.com). The kite system ideally supplements the self-sufficient propulsion system on board the vessel and supports the Race for Water Odyssey of circumnavigating the earth in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible. The yacht is driven by solar, hydrogen and now by wind power as well.
“Race for Water’s”first stopover on its 5-year circumnavigation odyssey will be Bermuda at the end of May where it will be a guest at the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup. The kite drive will be showcased during “open ship“ days. The Race for Water Odyssey is the starting point for SkySails Yacht GmbH to demonstrate how critically important it is to reimagine propulsion systems not only in commercial shipping but also in the superyacht business in order to save fuel, reduce emissions and highlight the owners’ concern for the environment.
The SkySails system for yachts originates from the renowned SkySails propulsion system for cargo vessels and has been adapted and refined for use on yachts. It is available for 15m+ yachts and superyachts and is designed to reduce fuel consumption, extend the vessel’s range, provide stable cruising comfort, enhace reliability and deliver environmentally compatible performance. Motoryachts in the 30 to 40m class with a limited range will now be able to cross the oceans under kite instead of being deckloaded on a freighter.
On her way from the Koror Islands to Chagos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, the MOD70 Race for Water trimaran has capsized yesterday at 8:15PM (GMT +1), 90 miles South East from the Chagos Archipelago, as they were navigating by night with 18 to 20 knots of wind. Further information about the exact reasons of the accident will follow. The crew is (…)
Initiated by the Race for Water Foundation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the “Race for Water Odyssey” (R4WO) will begin in Bordeaux (France) on March 15, 2015. The objective of this unique expedition is to conduct the first global assessment of plastic pollution in oceans by visiting island beaches situated in the 5 trash vortexes.
At 3.49 p.m. (Barbados time) White Dolphin crossed the finishing line of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 and added her name to the list of winners of this exceptional race for exceptional yachts.
It seems the summer may never end in St Tropez this year. For more than one week straight, unseasonably hot weather has dominated the region, caused by a high pressure system that seemingly stalled over the northern Mediterranean. It was a week of hot sunny days and little breeze, unusual in its duration. Again today, not a cloud could be found (…)
The 2010 edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez concluded today with the prizegiving at La Citadelle, the 16th century fortress set imposingly overlooking the white-capped Golfe de Saint-Tropez. More than 1000 competitors and supporters gathered on a sunny, windy, beautiful fall day, as Andre Beaufils, President of the Les Voiles Organizing (…)
After sailing more than 8,000 nautical miles and spending 128 days crossing the Pacific, the world’s largest ocean, in a boat made of 12,500 plastic PET bottles, the Plastiki expedition and her crew have safely and successfully reached their planned destination of Sydney to cheers of welcome and support.
Les régates au couteau dans la rivière de la Trinité Sur Mer en 2001 lors du XIIe Trophée des Champions. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
Cela faisait plus de deux ans qu’Yvan Griboval, ancien journaliste, organisateur du Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions, tentait de développer son idée de régate vers un circuit professionnel. Lors du salon nautique de Paris, il a présenté le programme et le budget d’un circuit qui tient à la fois des circuits Tornado ou Formule 40 et bien-sûr (…)
Après le règne des Américains et l’actuelle domination des navigateurs de l’hémisphère Sud, on pouvait imaginer que le retour de l’aiguière d’argent en Europe se ferait par le succès d’un pays latin. Les Italiens n’ont-ils pas réussi les meilleures performances en remportant la Louis Vuitton Cup et se qualifiant pour l’America’s Cup en 1992 et (…)
Pierre Rolland, architecte du Pogo et de nombreux prototypes 650, répond à son tour, par mail, sur la question des mâts en carbone. Il répond aussi sur les bout-dehors dont il est plus probable que la commission de jauge autorise cette modification chez les Séries.
Lors de l’assemblée générale de la Classe Mini qui s’est tenue samedi dernier, les membres de la classe (les coureurs) ont choisi de voter sur la possibilité d’autoriser les mâts en carbone en mini. Ils ont voté majoritairement en faveur de ce changement éventuel. Mais cela n’implique pas encore de modification dans la jauge. Le débat est (…)
Yannick Bestaven au départ de la Transat 650 2001. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
La Classe Mini a présenté lors du salon nautique une liste de courses auxquelles pourront participer les 650 en 2002. A ce programme s’ajoute des épreuves ouvertes à différentes catégories de voiliers dont les minis.
Yves Le Blévec wears SailSafety’s helmet. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
2001 was the year of the first edition of the Trophée SeaSailSurf.com des Minis, a ranking by points over the year for the skippers of Open 650 mini yachts. This Saturday took place on the Amiot place at the Paris Boat Show the price giving.
Yves Le Blévec essaye le casque SailSafety. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
2001 était la première édition du Trophée SeaSailSurf.com des Minis, un classement sur l’année des épreuves auxquelles ont participé les voiliers de la jauge 650. Ce matin à 11h00, s’est tenue sur le stand Amiot au salon nautique la remise des prix.
L’organisateur de The Race face au détenteur du Trophée Jules Verne ! Un match exceptionnel se prépare donc entre Peyron et De Kersauson. Si les deux hommes parviennent à s’entendre pour prendre le départ en même temps de leurs tours du monde, le duel sera impitoyable.
Sunset Beach, Hawaii (Thursday, December 6) CJ Hobgood (USA) today clinched the 2001 ASP World Championship (WCT) crown on the sand at Sunset Beach. Despite being eliminated during round two this morning, all eight (8) other world title contenders also failed to advance through the day’s competition carnage, creating an unbeatable advantage for (…)
Peter Blake est devenu Sir Peter Blake le 19 novembre 1995 à la suite de sa victoire 5 à 0 face à l’Américain Dennis Conner en finale de la Coupe de l’America.
Après l’Australien John Bertrand, Peter Blake devenait par la même occasion le deuxième non-Américain a remporter le célèbre trophée. Pourtant, si le nom de Peter Blake est lié à celui (…)