De Lage Landen, the Dutch entry in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race, has arrived in Qingdao, China, today to a hero’s welcome, after taking its first victory in one of the toughest legs of the world’s longest ocean race.

The De Lage Landen team was greeted at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre with a spectacular ceremony including fireworks, drums and, not least, dozens of Chinese and international media who all fought to get pictures and interviews with the heroic crew that has claimed their first victory in the Clipper 11-12 Race.

George David's RP90 Rambler has a commanding lead in the battle for line honours in the RORC Caribbean 600. The American entry is over 20 miles ahead of the 214ft Ketch Hetairos, even though Rambler is less than half the size. 
 
Rambler rounded Tintamarre just after dawn this morning to begin the 160-mile power reach south to Guadeloupe. Rambler barely stalled for speed right through the night.

The American maxi cut the corner at Nevis, as better than expected breeze hurried their progress. Except for dropping below ten knots in the wind shadow of St.Martin, Rambler has been absolutely launched.

With less than three weeks to go before the starting gun fires on March 1st to begin the 32nd annual edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the entry list continues to grow, promising yet another stellar fleet for a round of “serious fun.” As always, the entry list is comprised of the latest Grand Prix racers, timeless classics, souped-up cruising boats, and bareboat charter yachts.
 
Many of the 141 current entrants are familiar St. Maarten Heineken Regatta veterans, who are drawn to the mix of great competition and sensational parties year after year. Among these sailors are Hank Schmitt on the Swan 48, Avocation; Richard Wesslund on the J/120, El Ocaso; Bernie Evan-Wong on the Mumm 36,High Tension; Christopher Marshall on the Melges 24, Budget Marine/Gill; Ian Hope-Ross on the Beneteau First 36.7, Kick ‘em Jenny; Sergio Sagramoso on the J/122,Lazy Dog; and Christian Reynolds on the Swan 51, Northern Child.

Slade & Co. are back!

Cowes, Isle of Wight: The property developer and internationally renowned yachtsman Mike Slade is returning to Cowes to compete in the 2012 J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, Britain's favourite yacht race, with his 100ft Super Maxi ICAP Leopard and in defence of his most recent and the current monohull record set in 2008 at a time of 3.53.05.

The team has broken the monohull record on four occasions, firstly in 1991 racing Ocean Leopard, aboard Hoya Longobarda in 1996 and then in 2001 aboard Leopard of London circumnavigating the island in 4.05.40.

After a week-long stopover in spectacular Singapore, the ten yachts taking part in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race set sail on Saturday morning from the exclusive Marina at Keppel Bay, where they have been based since last Saturday.

They will race from Singapore to Qingdao, where they are expected to arrive between 22 and 24 February.

The send-off was no less spectacular than the welcome festivities, with drummers upping the tempo as the teams manned their boats in preparation for race start, as well as the traditional tossing of the Yusheng, or raw fish salad, by skippers and VIP guests, to herald abundance and good fortune during the Chinese Spring Festival.