“At one point we were at 30knot average…just incredible” - Paul Meilhat - Biotherm “I don’t think we could do better than that..we are in our place” - Franck Cammas - Holcim PRB There were no shortage of big statements from exhausted offshore rock stars at the finish of Leg 2 of the Ocean Race Europe. This might have not been a lap of the planet for these highly accomplished sailors and their crews, but there was no doubt that as the longest leg so far it was also the most complex and, as it turned out, the most stressful too. From straight line blasts to full on park-ups, the leader board took several major shuffles and ensured that few of the crews got much sleep at all during the 1,400 mile leg. What was in plentiful supply was some fantastic footage sent back from the boats that took us onboard and to the heart of the action in this complex two stage leg. Once they were off from the dock in Portsmouth we headed to the finish in Cartagena, Spain to see the teams in and find out at first hand how the leg had been. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro 00:52 Matt Sheahan sets the scene in Cartagena 03:23 Leg 2- Stage 1 07:46 The Ushant park-up 10:23 Speed test to Porto 12:59 The Matosinhos fly-by 16:03 A tricky finish 18:28 Protest outcome Produced in association with Yanmar in a new series that takes a look at the IMOCA scene Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Practice day at the German sail GP in Sassnitz was chilling to watch. Seeing the catastrophic failure aboard the Brazilian boat as the port hull appeared to fold up under the boat as the forward cross beam failed brought back memories of San Francisco in 2013 and that’s not something we ever want to see again Miraculously everyone on the boat was safe. A few seconds before at the same bear away the French had suffered a major failure as their starboard rudder ripped off the stern flying high into the air. Then on the first day of racing a frightening collision that could have turned out far worse, thankfully it didn't. While there was some great racing over the weekend in Sassnitz, the crash tally had hit three major incidents in just two days. We take a look at what happens and hear from the crews as to their thoughts on a weekend that has sparked concern.

It was an explosive start for the Ocean Race Europe into a tactically complex and demanding first leg from Kiel to Portsmouth. Within two minutes two boats were heading back to base with serious damage while the rest of the fleet had their pedal to the metal as they made a headlong charge for the first scoring gate just a few miles into the race. This is an event that has been specifically designed to put the pressure on from the start and then keep it there, so getting a nose ahead was crucial in gaining the upper hand in the first stage of this six leg, 4,500mile race around Europe. Matt Sheahan reports from the start in Kiel where he talks to some of the key players about why a fully crewed multi leg race around Europe, (rather than the world), is considered to be tough by the teams. As the boats left the Baltic he then headed to the Portsmouth finish to provide a report on the opening leg. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro titles 00:52: Setting the scene 02:26 Why is it so hard? 04:44 Who are the teams? 10:03 Leg 1 Report 23:20 A Race to the start Produced in association with Yanmar in a new series that takes a look at the IMOCA scene Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

The 38th America's Cup is back under way as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Royal Yacht Squadron in the UK sign the AC38 protocol for the next event. But this is more than just an agreement on how the next America's Cup would be played. This is a template for the future in which the competition for the oldest international sporting trophy will have something it has never had in over 170 years...certainty. At least that's how the British and Kiwi camps were billing it leading Sir Ben Ainslie to describe it as 'seismic' for the Cup. Matt Sheahan looks into what has been agreed, what's in store for AC38 and why this agreement is considered to be so important.

The expectations were for a fast and full on start for the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe where seven fully crewed IMOCA teams would head out on the 4,500 mile race around Europe. But no one was expecting the explosive and destructive start to this race within the opening minutes. Thankfully no one was hurt, but in 6 week sprint around Europe where the longest stopovers are just 3 days, this is an intense race with little or no room for breakdowns.

Compared to the previous Rolex Fastnet Race the weather was benign but the racing was no less intense, some would argue more so. And when crews crossed the finish in Cherbourg it was clear how demanding this race had been. From those looking to take line honours, to those with an eye on the silverware through to those who were simply realising an ambition, everyone in the record breaking fleet had a reason to compete in the world's largest offshore race that was celebrating its 100th year. In addition, the return of the Admiral's Cup piled on the pressure for those who were looking to win the ornate golden trophy. There was plenty to report on as Matt Sheahan reveals in his report on how the Rolex Fastnet and the Admiral's Cup were won.

The Rolex Fastnet Race kicked off with a record number of entries as the world's biggest offshore race celebrated it's 100th anniversary. Whichever way you looked at it, this year was a very special o

After a 22 year absence the Admiral's Cup is back as Cowes played host to the return of the self proclaimed World Cup of offshore sailing. Starting with the offshore Channel Race and running into three days of inshore races in the Solent, the return of this famous team event was a huge success before it's even been won. Matt Sheahan reports from Cowes at the heart of the event where he watched the racing blow by blow and talked to some of the big players. The Rolex Fastnet Race is the final race in the series and counts for triple points, so when it comes to sealing the deal on the Admiral's Cup, this is the big one. But that doesn't mean that teams didn't throw everything at the races beforehand. Matt reports on what it took to for the top teams to get a crack at the most famous offshore team trophy in the world.

This season, your turn your back for a minute and another event has set up shop in the Solent. Except this time it was the biggest circus of all that was rolling into town as SailGP arrived in Portsmouth. The excitement and tension were palpable. From the pressure of public expectation on Sir Ben Ainslie's home team Emirates Great Britain, through to the huge pressure on the organisers to deliver a breathtaking event in the face of the kind of volatile and uncertain weather forecast that frequently defines the British summer, the Emirates Sail Grand Prix had plenty riding on it. And, as 20,000 spectators arrived over the weekend the pressure only went one way. Matt Sheahan was there and reports on a spectacular event, as well as sitting down with SailGP founder and CEO Russell Coutts who set out a bold new technical future for SailGP. Chapters & Links 00:00 Intro 1:00 Setting the scene 02:39 Talking to Dylan Fletcher 04:46 French dismasting - Quentin Delapierre explains 06:01 Race Reports 1,2,3,4 08:23 Russell Coutts on technical developments 16:40 Day 2 Race Reports 5, 6, 7 19:14 Final 20:32 Interviews - Burling, Fletcher, Mills Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Once the most prestigious trophy in offshore racing, the Admiral’s Cup has been absent since 2003 but this year it’s back and in the Solent there’s no mistaking it. With 15 teams competing in a fleet of 30 boats Cowes and Hamble been buzzing throughout a season long build up that has seen some foreign teams start their training back in the Spring. But what’s the big deal? For those that remember the event’s heyday, the return of the competition for the squat yet ornate golden trophy will spark plenty of stories. But for those that didn’t engage with offshore racing until after the Admiral’s Cup had fizzled out and in era that was pre-digital, seeing what the fuss is all about is quite tricky. Fortunately, as the event counts down to its comeback PlanetSail has been given exclusive access to the full feature of the 1987 Cup. It’s a great insight into why the Admiral’s Cup was so special and why it’s return is a very big deal.

But why is it hold such a special place in the racing world?

Three iconic events, one unforgettable summer on the water and we’re only half way through the season. From the elegance of British Classic Week to the capacity crowd at the Tattinger Regatta and the spectacle of the Royal Thames Pageant, Matt Sheahan heads to all three to get a taste of three of the hottest season of regattas that the UK’s South Coast has seen for many years. With packed harbours, tight racing, and fleets full of character, this season is bringing the Solent to life. Plus, we take a look at how the British Classics Regatta is so successful in striking the balance between authenticity and the spirit of tradition. Chapters & LInks 0:35 Setting the scene 1:36The Royal Thames Pageant 4:28 The Tattinger Regatta in Yarmouth 6:35 A family affair 8:09 British Classic Week in Cowes Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Ferrari has revealed a radical and stunning 32m offshore monohull aimed at setting new ocean records and raising the speed bar, while the French/Swiss based speed campaign SP80 have declared a new milestone in their campaign to set a new outright sailing speed record. And if this wasn't enough speed talk for the week, Christian Zugel's Tschüss II won the New York Yacht Club / Royal Ocean Racing Club's Transatlantic Race and hacked 30 hours of the previous IRC corrected time record. So, this week it's all about pulse raising pace as Matt Sheahan considers the latest news from these three very different groups of speed freaks. Plus, more in Docktalk with autonomous marks and advance load monitoring systems under the spotlight. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro 00:36 Ferrari’s Hypersail explained 03:45 SP80 New Milestone 06:32 Transatlantic victory and record Docktalk 09:26 Gipsy Buoy - Autonomous marks 10:26 Rondal - Feeling superyacht loads Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

There was a time when a 32m (100ft) yacht was a superyacht. While technically it probably still is, over two decades the bar has been raised much, much higher, as have the masts. The huge growth in rig sizes has been possible thanks to carbon fibre and there are some spectacular examples out there. At 86m (282ft) long Aquijo is the biggest performance sailing ketch in the world and her Southern Spar carbon masts are a staggering 91m (300ft) tall each! And while this makes for quite some spectacle, the even bigger question is how on earth do you step, maintain and handle such huge structures? PlanetSail went to Auckland to find out. While we were there we also looked at a fascinating project at the opposite end of the offshore scale and discovered how a re-rig for the Gunboat 66 performance cruising cat Slim transformed the boat's performance and handling and simplified the sail wardrobe too. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro 00:34 Why size matters 01:47 Aquijo’s captain explains 02:21 Southern Spars’ Mark Hauser provides perspective 03:13 Trimming Aquijo’s sail plan 09:06 Stepping a 91m mast 12:22 Gunboat 66 ‘Slim’ case study 18:58 The Future Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

In the lead up to the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary there was more than a hint that the Solent based regatta was going to be a big one. With over 250 boats from the latest carbon flyers to beautiful classics that were more than a century old, the four day regatta to celebrate one of the oldest clubs in the world had ticked many of the boxes even before the fleet had turned up. Add to this the focus on the some of the teams and their boats that will take part in the return of the Royal Ocean racing Club's Admiral's Cup later this season and there was plenty to draw attention. Then, the weather turned up and lit the blue touch paper for what was to turn out to be a stunning few days of racing. PlanetSail was there in the thick of the action, afloat, on board and picking up the chatter ashore. Thumbnail pic - www.pwpictures.com **CORRECTION** - Tom Partridge is RTYC Rear Commodore Sailing Also, In IRC2 Django was disqualified for not having an endorsed certificate so Rogan Josh won both the IRC2 and IRC 2 Nationals Chapters & Links 00:00 Intro 00:54 What’s the big deal? 03:08 Admiral’s Cup Preview & IRC Nationals Review 06:17 On board Sir Keith Mills’ classic Viveka 12:46 Why this is a big deal for the Royal Thames YC 16:56 On board West Solent One Design - Arrow 17:59 The final day DOCKTALK 18:32 Harken Procare support 19:31 MC1 Spars Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

The good news was that SailGP was back up and running after having to pause proceedings and cancel an entire event following the dramatic dismasting of the Australian boat in San Francisco. More good news was that the full complement of 12 boats was ready and raring to go. But the weather had other ideas. Light, tricky and patchy conditions made the racing pretty stressful for everyone and resulted in some erratic results across the fleet. Overall you'd be tempted to call it a lottery, but a handful of teams were delivering sufficiently consistent performances to leave us all guessing as to whether it was tactics or timing that delivered the final result. Matt Sheahan reviews the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix and takes a look at the fleet standings at the mid point of the season.

Southern Spars founder and managing director Mark Hauser explains the link between the America's Cup and Southern Spars

The incredible growth in the size of superyachts and the rapid increase in speeds aboard the world’s fastest machines has been staggering. And while modern design and materials have played a huge part in these areas, there is one element that has been crucial to these giant leaps and made it all possible - the rig. In particular, carbon rigs, without these the sport would still be pressed up underneath the glass ceiling that trapped development back in the 1980s. New Zealand based Southern Spars have built many of the biggest and quickest carbon rigs in the world and their success isn’t just with boats, they’ve been involved in all kinds of areas ashore and even regular forays into space! With such an impressive roll call of results it was clearly time to make a visit to Auckland where Matt Sheahan got the full tour. In the first of our two part mini series, Matt finds out why carbon was the key and how Southern Spars build the big rigs, the fastest rigs and rigs of the future. Chapters & Links 00:00 Intro 02:50 Mark Hauser on Southern Spars background 04:53 Build process - Where does it start? 06:26 On the Shop floor 07:57 More on design 08:49 Back on the shop floor 12:11 ETNZ’s Martin McElwee on the influence of the America’s Cup 13:11 Shop floor - Painting and final stages 16:01 Beyond mast making Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Watch enough America's Cups and even though the new cycle for the 38th Cup hasn't started, experienced Cup followers will have been waiting for the first bust up....and now it's here. With teams threatening to walk away, tough talk and sharp press releases, there's no doubt we're into the negotiation phase and contrary to the last round it's not all sweetness and light. Matt Sheahan looks at what has been going on and explains what it might mean and where the Cup could be heading. Plus, we take a look at what changes could be afoot as the Defenders release a yet to be agreed draft protocol for the next event. Not everyone's going to like it.

The 38th America’s Cup will be held in Naples in the Spring-Summer 2027. Matt Sheahan considers the news, reflects on Naples’ previous Cup experience before then taking a look back at the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona and how the event played out.