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.
Chez lui, à Antibes, Ange Delerce (SR Antibes), accompagné de Léo Maurin, Sylvestre de Guili Morghen, Thomas Flachon et Julia D’Amodio, a remporté son premier titre de Champion de France Espoirs de Match-Racing en s’imposant sans trembler en finale face à Tom Foucher (APCC Nantes).
Le skipper du voilier V and B – Monbana – Mayenne a pris ce matin la lourde décision de mettre fin à son deuxième Tour du Monde en solitaire, sans escale et sans assistance. Sa douleur à la cheville contractée dès le deuxième jour de course, suite à de gros soucis techniques de hook et de rail de grand-voile, est trop forte pour continuer la (…)
Les véliplanchistes Français ont fait carton plein sur la Coupe du Monde de Slalom PWA cette année. Au terme d’une saison bien remplie en Slalom X et en Foil Slalom sur laquelle les riders tricolores ont brillé, Pierre Mortefon a signé le doublé en décrochant le titre dans les deux disciplines. Chez les filles, Justine Lemeteyer, (…)
L’ADN de la course est bien entendu conservé – une course autour du monde en solitaire, sans escale et sans assistance – et un maximum de 40 skippers au départ. Afin de se qualifier à la prochaine édition, deux conditions sont requises : terminer une course majeure en solitaire et bien figurer au classement du Championnat IMOCA Globe Series. (…)
France’s Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite team ofLouise Acker, Maëlenn Lemaître, Sophie Faguet and Laurane Mettraux clinched victory at the 2024 Aspen Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Regatta on Sunday, defeating Sweden’s Anna Östling and her WINGS team 2-1 in a tense final in very light airs. Adding to the French team’s (…)
After a stunning year on the water, sailing’s highest achievers were honoured at the World Sailing Awards ceremony at Singapore’s historic CHIJMES Hall. The 2024 Rolex World Sailor of the Year awards were presented to Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Marit Bouwmeester, the most successful female sailor at the Olympics in the sport, and the (…)
Le Vendée Globe 2024 est sur le point de débuter, et parmi les 40 skippers qui s’élanceront sur cette 10ᵉ édition, 22 ont d’abord forgé leur expérience sur la Mini Transat. Plus d’un sur deux : cette statistique illustre bien le rite de passage que représente la Mini dans le monde de la course au large.
The iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championship concluded in Sa Ràpita, Mallorca, crowing its new talented champions among 375 young sailors from 35 nations. These athletes displayed skill and resilience both on and off the water, when the weather conditions put forced stops on their way, earning their places on the 2024 iQFOiL Youth & (…)
Du 28 Octobre au 1er Novembre à Dunkerque, le Championnat de France Jeunes Extrême Glisse Slalom s’est déroulé avec succès sur la plus belle plage du Nord, offrant aux jeunes coureurs du funboard français un cadre idéal pour montrer leur talent. Après une journée magnifique de navigation le lundi, les coureurs n’ont malheureusement pas pu (…)