Megayacht News

J Class Regattas in UK: Update

April 20, 2012 by Diane M. Byrne

Good news and bad news on the J Class Regatta front. Bad news first: Hanuman and Endeavour have pulled out of the Falmouth event this June, and Hanuman has additionally withdrawn from the subsequent Solent race. Good news: The races will still be historic, featuring the most J Class superyachts sailing solely against one another in nearly 100 years.

Hanuman was withdrawn from both Falmouth and Solent soon after the St. Barths Bucket, which was held in March. At that event, Hanuman, along with Ranger, Velsheda (above), and Endeavour, raced against each other for the first time in a special Js exhibition. Hanuman finished fourth, unfortunately. Whether that is related to her withdrawal from the Falmouth Regatta is not clear. She did previously withdraw from the J Class Regatta held in Newport, Rhode Island last summer.

As for Endeavour, her owner now has business commitments elsewhere in June. However, Endeavour will still race in the Solent in July.

The results mean that the Falmouth race will feature Lionheart, Rainbow, Ranger, and Velsheda. The same four sailing superyachts will compete in the Solent with Endeavour. Considering Lionheart and Rainbow have yet to race against other Js, each regatta promises to make history. In fact, Rainbow is currently completing sea trials, having been launched just prior to the end of 2011.

If you wish to attend the races, mark your calendars for the following dates. The Falmouth Regatta runs June 26 to 27 and then June 29 to 30 (June 28 is a spare day). The yachts will be out practicing in advance, on June 24 and 25. The Solent Regatta runs July 18 to 20, with practice days on July 16 and 17. Then, on July 21, all five Js are expected to re-enact the original Hundred Guineas Cup course, a.k.a. the America’s Cup course, around the Isle of Wight.

Leave a CommentFiled under: Events, Rendezvous & Events, Sailing Yachts, Yachts Tagged with J Class

Yacht Charter Aboard Hemisphere Up for Auction, to Benefit Oceana

April 9, 2012 by Diane M. Byrne

PHOTO: Superyacht Media

Here’s your chance not only to bid on an ideal superyacht vacation, but to support solid ideals, too. The owners of the superyacht catamaran Hemisphere, delivered by Pendennis last year, are offering a weeklong charter as part of the Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth. One-hundred percent of the proceeds for the Hemisphere charter auction go to Oceana, the world’s largest charitable organization solely focused on protecting the world’s oceans.

This is the third year that Christie’s is hosting the eco-minded auction, and a repeat year for Oceana being among the environmentally oriented organizations directly benefiting. It’s also the second year that a yacht charter is up for auction, thanks to corporate sponsorship of Oceana by Burgess. Last year, Lady Sheridan’s owners put a charter up for bid, through Burgess.

So how do you get involved? If you’re not going to this Wednesday’s invitation-only event in New York City, you can bid online from now until then at the charity site charitybuzz.com. The charter package, valued at $245,000, permits 10 to 12 people to cruise aboard Hemisphere in either Croatia or the Caribbean. The Croatian itinerary is set for this September, comprising eight days and seven nights. The Caribbean package is the same length of time next February. Either way, a crew of 10, including two PADI dive instructors, will attend to your needs. You’ll have a variety of watertoys, ranging from waterskis to windsurfers, to enjoy, plus the spacious accommodations of Hemisphere herself. (Hemisphere is truly impressive; we’ll have a Megayacht News Onboard feature later this month.)

As of this weekend, about a dozen bidders are vying for the trip. If you’re the ultimate charter guest, your contribution won’t go unnoticed. Consider what Jim Simon, Oceana’s executive vice president, has to say: “Burgess has generously helped Oceana to win in-the-water policy victories since 2011.”

UPDATE, APRIL 17, 2012: The winning bid for the charter was $150,000, the highest amount ever in the history of Bid to Save the Earth.

Leave a CommentFiled under: Events, Fundraisers, Sailing Yachts, Yachts Tagged with Burgess, Pendennis

International SeaKeepers Society Seeking Superyachts of Opportunity for Volvo Ocean Race

March 30, 2012 by Diane M. Byrne

PHOTO: iStock/deejpilot

The Volvo Ocean Race attracts many a yacht and superyacht as spectators. Thanks to the International SeaKeepers Society, you can do more than that when the race pulls into Miami in May. You can have your yacht become a “Vessel of Opportunity,” helping promote SeaKeepers’ emphasis on ocean preservation and conservation.

The Volvo Ocean Race stopover dates in Miami—the only ones in North America—are May 6 to 20. SeaKeepers is seeking at least two yachts to feature in the heart of the Downtown Miami Race Village from May 7 to 10. The Village will, among other things, feature educational experiences for schoolchildren, focus on the preservation of the oceans and environment, and fun with watersports. The race organizers are just as keen on raising awareness about the ocean as SeaKeepers is, which is why the groups have joined forces for this event.

While in the Village, the SeaKeepers yachts will host scientists and welcome students on field trips. The scientists will explain how SeaKeepers and its supporters help them gather vital data, through the Vessels of Opportunity program (VOP). For example, one VOP yacht in recent years welcomed aboard a coral-reef biologist in the Caribbean, allowing him to take coral core extractions to examine back in a lab. Another yacht assisted with water-quality monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico to measure the effects of the BP oil spill. Megayacht owners who participate in the VOP get direct benefits, too. They get to meet leading scientists and become directly involved in ocean conservation, much more so than writing a check.

Furthermore, SeaKeepers is seeking megayachts to serve as spectator vessels from May 19 to 20. Given that the Volvo Ocean Race Miami leg is being covered by media outlets like FOX Sports, there will be additional exposure for the VOP yachts and concept, in addition to general increased exposure.

The Volvo Ocean Race organizers are further seeking megayachts as a media boat, VIP boats for the race teams and sponsors, and more.

For further details directly from SeaKeepers about participating in the Volvo Ocean Race and the VOP, please fill out our contact form.

1 CommentFiled under: Events, Rendezvous & Events Tagged with International Seakeepers Society