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.
Photo : Illbruck on the way to the finish with the Sydney Opera House in the background. Photo : Daniel Forster illbruck
illbruck’s victory on the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race was anything but straight forward. It is the story of disaster and a determined comeback in great style. With less than 24 hours at sea, the yacht flooded her bow section so bad that the bow was under water. In a dramatic team effort the crew managed to keep the yacht afloat and got (…)
Liz Baylis of San Rafael, Calif. won the Rolex Osprey Cup today, topping off four days of match racing here on Tampa Bay. Sailing with Baylis at this ISAF Grade 1 regatta were an all-California team of Aimee Hess (Oakland), Karina Shelton (Watsonville) and Stacie Straw (Marina del Rey). After a lack of wind yesterday afternoon forced the (…)
Troisième partie en image de la construction du Furtif 60. La construction de la coque se termine. Il est déjà temps de penser à l’après coque : Quille, safrans, dérives et surtout le gréement avec un mât et des voiles. Une coque ne suffit pas.
Photos et commentaires : Elie Canivenc
NewsCorp au passage de l’île d’Eclipse. Photo : Rick Tomlinson Electronic Image / Volvo Ocean Race
A 23h hier soir, les 2 concurrents leaders de cette deuxième étape de la Volvo Ocean Race, illbruck en tête, SEB dans son sillage, suivis de près par News Corp, Assa Abloy, Amer Sports One et Djuice, s’engageaient dans le Détroit de Bass qui sépare l’Australie de l’île de la Tasmanie.
Le port de Saint Malo en novembre 1998. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
Le Salon Nautique 2001 a été lancé dans une grande salle en mezzanine du premier hall. Loïck Peyron, Thomas Coville, Michel Desjoyeaux ou Karine Fauconnier rejoignent, entre autres skippers, une salle bondée. Il est 11h30 vendredi. C’est la présentation officielle de la Route du Rhum 2002. Avec un an d’avance, ses organisateurs sont prêts, tout (…)
Mistral 650 built in the South of France. Photo : J.Dubois
Mistral 650, TiZef, a Magnen design are the new designs that tries to follow the SuperCalin. They will try to break the supremacy of the Pogo. Jerome Dubois of the AMC Marine yard, is underway in the construction of his first Serie Class Mini. In the same time Ollivier Bordeau of the Latitude 4824 yard, known as the builder of Rolland designs, (…)
Deuxième partie en image de la construction du Furtif 60. Les “1100 kg de résine, 1500 m2 de fibre et 6 m3 d’Airex” sont utilisés petit à petit pour construire les bordés latéraux de la coque de 18 mètres de long à bouchain.
Photos et commentaires : Elie Canivenc
Elie Canivenc, étudiant en architecture navale à Southampton, ancien participant de la Mini-Transat 1999, construit un 60 pieds Open dans le but de participer au prochain Vendée Globe. A Pacques 2001, le mannequin est assemblé. “Nous visualisons l’engin… et l’ouvrage qu’il représente !” commente Elie qui pose devant son futur voilier. Le (…)
Le Mistral 650 en chantier dans le Var. Photos : J.Dubois
Jérôme Dubois du chantier naval AMC Marine poursuit à Roquebrune sur Argens dans le Var la construction de son mini de série. Pendant ce temps à Brest, Ollivier Bordeau du chantier Latitude 48° 24’ lance aussi un “bateau conforme à la jauge série”. Avec le Super Câlin et le plan Magnen qui serait en chantier en Normandie, la chasse au Pogo est (…)
The CNBPP will organize from May 1st to 5th the second edition of the Select 650. This race did take the place of the 300 miles of Concarneau this year. The minis and their single handing skippers will leave again La Baule for a 300 miles long course away form the coast of South Brittany.