“We believe that a new generation of elite skiff sailors deserve a purpose designed boat that will excel in the role and stand the test of time” says RS managing director, Martin Wadhams.

”After several changes to the women’s classes over recent Olympic cycles, the last thing anyone wants is another short term measure. We began the process several years ago believing that the RS800 could be modified to become the women’s skiff, but quickly realised that although it was arguably the most suited of the then current bunch, it would never be perfect for Olympic women.

So our own RS team of Alex Southon and Nick Peters has worked with Phil Morrison to start from scratch and design the RS900 without compromise.”

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Gold Coast Australia has continued its winning streak, recording a fourth consecutive victory in the first four stages of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.

The team finished Race 4 of the 40,000-mile circumnavigation, the world’s longest ocean race, at 0704 local time this morning (2304UTC Saturday), under clear blue skies, racing in towards the finish line of the Geraldton shoreline at more than 11 knots.

The ten-strong Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet has left one mountain-dominated skyline for another. The yachts and their non-professional crews have set sail from Rio de Janeiro at the start of Race 3 of the 40,000-mile circumnavigation, the world’s longest ocean race.

As Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado fade into the distance on the west coast of the South Atlantic, three weeks and 3,300 miles later, Table Mountain will appear over the horizon on the east coast as the teams race towards Cape Town, South Africa.

In a lively south easterly breeze, the race started in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, at 1400 local time (1700 UTC). It was a case of last in first out as Derry-Londonderry, who finished Race 2 in tenth place, were fastest out of the starting blocks, closely followed by New York, Qingdao, Gold Coast Australia, De Lage Landen and Singapore, all of whom had timed their run to the start line impeccably and, after a bit of jostling, turned across it within seconds of each other. Edinburgh Inspiring Capital approached the line from the far end moments later, followed at the other by Geraldton Western Australia and Visit Finland.

18 Foot Skiffs are not the usual beach toys found at Sandbanks.  Eight teams gathered for the premier event of the UK 18ft Skiff circuit.

Follow all the action with this selection of Georgie Clarkes images.

www.georgieclarke.com
 

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Team Phaedo media rescue Rambler owner at Fastnet Rock

Images: Richard Langdon

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