“Rags” to Riches: The Story of J Sail J Sail, a Polish sail making company, came from nowhere during the confines of the Cold War to dominate the globally competitive Optimist market. These sails are everywhere in Optimist sailing, and to list their top results in the USA alone would take up pages and pages. … Read More
Class Profile: International Moth
In sailboat racing, there are several categories; handicap, one-design and development. Handicap allows for boats of different designs to compete against each other using a rating system to calculate final times. One-design racing uses boats of nearly identical design and configuration, and development uses a formula or box rule of different design rules to contain … Read More
Notes From New Zealand: The Javelin Skiff
Not Your Average Weekend Warrior: A look at the Javelin Skiff By Airwaves writer Sara Morgan Watters The Javelin Skiff is not your average double handed dinghy. At 14 feet this high performance, single trapeze skiff is far from a boat that will get you out on the water for some casual weekend racing. Expect … Read More
ICSA 2015 Team Racing Season Preview
By: Clinton Hayes(Stanford), Brendan Healy(Navy), Ward Cromwell(Charleston), Bill Healy(Yale) NEISA As always, New England features great depth in team racing. The big story in NEISA is Yale’s potential for a 3 peat at Nationals. Before the Bulldogs even think about that they will have to advance through their Conference Championship which is easier said then … Read More
Peter Beardsley & Danny Pletsch Win Viper 640 Sarasota Winter Circuit
February 9, 2015 Amidst snowstorms and freezing rain in the northeast U.S., 15 Viper 640 sport boat teams made the trip south to sail in sunny conditions with green water. This was the final installment of the three-part Viper 640 Sarasota (FL) Winter Circuit that included weekend regattas in December and January. The Race Committee … Read More
Profiles in Pro Sailing: Andy Horton
Editors Note- As part of our mission to support the sailing community, Sail1Design is pleased to unveil our new series, Profiles in Pro Sailing. This series is designed to give our community thoughts, ideas, tips, and reflections on how some of the best in the industry made it to where they are today. We hope … Read More
Using Weather to Dominate the Competition, Part 3: Precipitation
By Airwaves writer Eric Tobias (for part 1: https://www.sail1design.com/using-weather-dominate-competition/) (for part 2: https://www.sail1design.com/using-weather-dominate-competition-part-2-sea-breeze/) Precipitation Precipitation is an important factor to consider as a sailor. Rain doesn’t only mean that we might have to change gear or be ready to get wet; it could also signal changes in wind or act as a preview of the … Read More
For the People: RS Sailing’s (not so) New Approach to Boats
In 1994, car phones came in a bag, the Saved By The Bell TV movie was released, and Sail America was gearing up for an America’s Cup Defense. Also in 1994, two friends launched two boats and started RS Sailing. Over the next 20 years, RS Sailing would go on to become a distinctly unique … Read More
Using Weather to Dominate the Competition: Part 2, Sea Breeze
By Airwaves writer Eric Tobias (Editors note: To start at the beginning of this great series, check out Part 1 here: https://www.sail1design.com/using-weather-dominate-competition/) Sea Breeze I was once racing a distance race, and we were probably about 30 hours into the race at this point. It was extremely light wind and we were beating to windward … Read More
Coaches Locker Room: On The Water Coaching
By Airwaves writer Tyler Colvin There is an inherent difference between coaching sailing and coaching a field sport. In football, baseball, soccer, or likewise, the coach has the ability to talk to the players during play or call timeouts to regroup the team. Sailing has a rule that specifically disallows contact with the players from … Read More
Using the Weather to Dominate the Competition
Part 1: Surface Maps and Wind By Airwaves Writer Eric Tobias To move on to Part II, Sea Breeze, click HERE To skip to Part II, Precipitation, click HERE I was waiting at a train station in the rain the other day, and I overheard a woman complaining, “They said only 20% chance of rain … Read More
New "Premiere Sailing" Amateur League Announced!
In a “Premiere Sailing” League of its Own: New Series Presents a New Way of Racing…and Thinking CHICAGO, ILL. (January 15, 2015) – The new Premiere Sailing League, America, promises to change the way we think about amateur sailing in the U.S. Announced at the Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago on January 15 … Read More
Coaches Locker Room: Regatta Prep Part 2: Day of Event
Most coaches will have at some point traveled to an event as a participant. Being familiar with the process helps immensely. Regatta day prep on and off the course revolves around two main areas of concentration. First, you need to make sure your players are ready for competition, and second you need to make sure … Read More