World Sailing has published the 2021 – 2024 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). The new edition of the RRS follows consideration of suggested rules changes from Member National Authorities, Class Associations and race officials over the last four years. Copies of the new RRS are available to purchase from World Sailing, or you can downloaded the mobile app for android or Apple IOS for free from the World Sailing website. Get the rules directly here

Photo by Richard Gladwell of Sail-World

Boatbuilding crews are hard at work building the AC50 Class race boats. The hulls are built in three pieces: deck, lower hull section, bow section.

• The lower section has most of the structure, including the cockpit floor and the reinforcement for the daggerboard cage.
• The upper section has cutouts for the crew cockpits.
• The 2.7 meter long bow section unbolts so the hull can fit in a 40 foot container.
• The skin of the bow section is the only part of the yacht required to be built in the country of the yacht club it represents.
• Oracle and Team Japan are having their boats built at Core Builders in New Zealand.
• Team New Zealand is also building their boat in New Zealand, at Cooksons.
• Artemis Racing, Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France are all building their boats in their home countries, using tooling furnished by Core Builders.

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OSA is collaborating with Sail Canada in encouraging our sailors and volunteers to obtain a CANSail profile. This will help both OSA and Sail Canada to build a database with which to document the number of individuals involved in Canadian sailing programs as sailors and as volunteers. Having this information is essential for establishing credibility for our sport as well as for fundraising purposes. When creating your CANSail profile on the Sail Canada website you will need to choose your sailing club from the list in the dropdown menu for "Member Club Affiliation".

* If you don't have a CANSail number, you can register for a CANSail number click here

* If you need to find your CANSail number, click here

Boat insurance, and Skippers Plan for those with a CANSail Number

Skippers Plan (CG&B). Their phone number is 416-789-7211.

Who are eligible

1. All Sail Canada members including current members of yacht clubs, class associations and sailing schools
2. Spouse of the eligible Members
3. All dependent children of the members provided they reside with the individual and are 25 years of age or younger; or attending school or college.

Exclusive Sail Canada Skippers’ Plan features

1. Decreasing deductible endorsement
2. Emergency expense endorsement for towing vehicle & trailer
3. Regatta expense coverage
4. Racing collision claims settled based on protest committee decision

 Skippers’ Plan highlights

1. Agreed Value coverage on boats up to 30 years of age
2. Replacement cost coverage on partial losses
3. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage available for new boats
4. Accidental fuel spill coverage
5. Freezing damage covered
6. Newly acquired watercraft included
7. Broad navigation area
8. Endorsements available for extension to US and Caribbean
9. Personal property coverage
10. Emergency towing expense coverage
11. Voluntary medical payment
12. Uninsured or underinsured boater coverage
13. Loss of use
14. Claims free discount
15. Premium discount for Sail Canada courses
16. Trip planning
17. Concierge services

Five 16-foot-long Hobie Cat sailboats depart Key West, Fla., Saturday, May 16, 2015, to begin a more than 90-mile race to Havana, Cuba. The Havana Challenge is believed to be the first U.S. government-sanctioned sailing race between Key West and Cuba in more than 50 years. - West-to-Cuba Sailing RaceBert Budde/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

Forget about geopolitics: For sailors, the greatest aspect of improving U.S. relations with Cuba is the return to the Halcyon days of sailboat races from the mainland USA to this long-forbidden island nation. If this sounds like a pipedream, think again, as the three-part Havana Challenge unfolded from May 16-21 and brought a fleet of five Hobie 16s, supported by 14 chase and support vessels, from Key West, Florida to the Marina Hemingway in Cuba.

En route, the competitors saw sustained winds of 18-20 knots, with puffs to 25-plus knots, and seas of up to 12 feet. According to Weatherby, two boats were destroyed, while another one was rendered inoperable upon arriving in Cuba. Fortunately, everyone arrived safely and, with the help of the racers and some Cuban locals, the boats were repaired in time for the The Malecon.

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The International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) has issued an updated rule book which includes some minor changes. The most significant change is to the Hobie 16 class rules which states:

Trapeze wires shall be of stainless steel wire of not less than 2.38 mm diameter. The minimum length of the trapeze wire, including shackles, shall be from the bearing point on the mast tang to a point 1250 mm above the base of the mast extrusion. Adjustable systems may be attached to the trapeze wire shackled to the mast tang.

This change was made to close a loophole which some racers were using to have trapezes made from synthetic line.

Download your updated IHCA Class Rules here

The ORCA Annual Awards are awarded to outstanding Ontario sailors that define the Ontario tradition of outstanding athletics, ethics, camaraderie and a true commitment to the sport of sailing.

Recipients can be someone who either improved the most, is enthusiastic, contributed the most to the fleet and ORCA or in some other way distinguished themselves.

The Sportsperson of the year is in recognition for the individuals contribution to catamaran sailing and our sailors in their area and in general. This person should be an inspiration to their fellow sailors and motivational. Fleet building and event organization are also good criteria.

The 2016 ORCA Award recipients

Youth Sailor of the year - Anatoliy Duko (F18 sailor)

Anatoliy participated in the 2015 Around the County Long Distance Race and his proficiency on the F18 impressed everyone. Then on May 16th Sergey and Anatoliy Duko of Mississauga Sailing Club competed in the Florida 300 endurance race on their NACRA F18. The race was from Islamorada, in the Keys, to Daytona Beach over a period of 5 days. During that time they battled howling winds, blinding thunderstorms and monster waves. At one time, Sergey said that the wind had literally pick their catamaran out of the water. After all that, they only suffered a broken spinnaker pole. That was some adventure! At the finish, Sergey and Anatoliy placed 8th overall and second in their class. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Anatliy, we are all proud of your accomplishments.

Skipper of the year - Larry Woods (A-Cat sailor)

We are privileged to have some top A-cat racers within our group, Larry has been the catalist in the A-Cat fleet, supported by his brothers Andrew and Todd. They have been known as the "Canadian Invasion" promoting a high caliber of racing in a fun and enthusiastic way that is contagious.

Tactician of the year - Marty Vandenberg (Hobie 16 sailor)

Marty has been sailing with Mauro for the past 3 years, they both participated in the 2016 Pan Am Trials. An avid music lover, he brings his music, his fun loving and charming personality to our sport. Marty and Mauro won BBB high portsmouth award 4 years running. He is a fearless tactician willing to come out no matter what is needed.

Sportsperson of the year - Stephen Clarke (Nacra 17 sailor)

Stephen has been Commodore of the BBB for about 10 years, during that time have seen many changes with the city, the clubs position on the beach. Have successfully moved club from beach club to a not for profit. Stephen handles PR with the city, and city serves with diplomacy. He's also continued to build the club racing series, with continued increase in participation on week night races which builds our future.