YachtPals.com News

The Vendée Globe fleet is currently sailing into the doldrums, and enjoying the abundant sunshine and heat of the equatorial latitudes. Samantha Davies sailing Roxy decided to trade her foulies for a bikini today, and she's not the only one considering a relief to the heat. Loick Peyron, said "It’s currently 32°C [90°F] inside Gitana Eighty and the water temperature is 29°C [84°F]. I’m considering the possibility of having a little dip, especially if the

Eastern Atlantic - The maxi trimarans Sodeb'O and IDEC appear to be playing leapfrog across the high seas, and in the record books.  Mere weeks after Francis Joyon took the sailing record for the Discovery Route from Coville and Sodeb'O, and Coville has set out to take the 'round the world record from Joyon.  Casting off from Brest yesterday just before 1400 GMT, Sodeb'O is currently ahead of IDEC's reference tim

Eastern Atlantic - Amazing that it's only one week in, and nearly a third of the boats sailing in the Vendée Globe fleet have had to turn back.  Tough storm conditions and bleeding edge boats don't always mix well, and in the rush for last-minute preparations, some of the IMOCA Open 60's simply weren't ready.  Luckily, though some of the boats are in bad shape, the injuries reported were mostly in the form of bangs, bruises, wrenched muscles and tired backs.

Maybe he's not quite like a phoenix from the ashes, but Derek Hatfield has nonetheless resurrected Algimouss Spirit of Canada and gotten back in the Vendee Globe.  After a smack-down storm right out of the gate, Derek was among several in the fleet to turn back to Les Sables d'Olone for emergency, last-chance repairs, but he's one of only four so far who've been able to get back onto the course, and h

Cape Town, South Africa - The Volvo Ocean Race is back underway.  After some brief downtime, the fleet is off on the second leg of this crewed 'round the world challenge.  The eight crews said goodbye to their friends, families and supporters in Cape Town on Saturday, sailing out to cheers of farewell under the hot South African sun, and began the 4,450 mile leg to Cochin, India.

Sacramento, USA - Arnold Schwarzenegger seems to have a taste for salt water.  It looks like the upcoming Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race will include a yacht named for the Golden State, and this week California's "Governator" made a statement in regard to the race, the boat, and his quest for cyborg victory of the seas:  "California will be the best boat out there," he said, in a hauntingly metallic voice.

Two of our most photogenic YachtPals, Sam Davies and Dee Caffari, sailed out in the Vendée Globe yacht race this week, in their quest to sail non-stop alone around the world.  This will be Dee's second time alone around the world, but the first time in the right direction. When she completes the Vendée Globe, this will make her the first woman to ever sail around the world non-stop solo in both directions.

Venezuela — We are sad to report that there has been yet another attack by pirates against a yacht in Venezuela. An American citizen has been shot and killed, and his friend wounded, when pirates boarded their sailboat on Saturday night in an apparent robbery attempt on Venezuela's Caribbean coast.

Only day two of the Vendée Globe around the world race, and already the fleet is thinning out. Two boat were dismasted on Monday (Groupe Bel & Aquarelle) in a brutal storm which is wreaking havoc on the solo skippers. Four other boats have also had to start sailing back to port, including one of the race favorites, and winner of the 2000 Vendee Globe

Understated, quietly confident, yet wildly skilled, unless you're in the UK, Brian Thompson may be the best sailor you've never heard of.  The late Steve Fossett's right-hand man on many campaigns, and a world record-breaker 25 times times over, Thompson is a family man who hasn't sought the spotlight.  Despite that, an entire nation which is not his own (Bahrain) has sponsored him in this, his first Vendee Globe, simply due to his skill, and Brian is seen by many Vendee skippers as a real competitor for the podium.  A dark