Thomas Coville narrowly averted disaster at the start of his quest to set a speed record for non-stop solo-sailing around the world.
The video below shows Coville’s boat, a 105-foot trimaran named Sodebo, nearly capsizing just after he set off from Brest, France. It could have quickly put an end to his record-setting attempt–and left him seriously injured … Details
Thomas Coville almost capsized on his trimaran Sodebo while crossing the starting line of the Round the World singlehanded record January 29th 2011 in Ushuant. the wind was strong and gusty. Heavy weather sailing!
Over three years ago, when I rowed away from the tiny island of La Gomera I never actually expected to return. But it seems the island has a special draw. In 2009 I spent a happy week back in San Sebastian helping the Atlantic Rowing Race entrants prepare. Then last year I again found myself enjoying some winter sun, roadside cafes and traditional Spanish music, but on the other side of the island in Valle Gran Rey. And the reason? An ocean going raft called An-Tiki!Â
About 12 months ago, I received an email from a chap called Robin Batchelor. Robin is actually a balloon pilot, and one of his many claims to fame is having taught Richard Branson to fly balloons – as well as being mistaken for Sir B on a regular basis! If you’ve ever seen a movie with a balloon stunt in, then the chances are that you’ve seen Robin hard at work. But this request was nothing to do with flying. Instead, Robin is the project manager for his friend Anthony Smith and was hunting for information on how to cross the Atlantic on a raft  … Pictures & More
More than a month after his target departure date of 20th December, French solo sailor Thomas Coville has set off from the port of Brest in his 105 ft trimaran Sodeb’O in a bid to break the around-the-world solo sailing record. To achieve this, he will have to round the globe in less than 57 days, 13 hours and 34 minutes and 6 seconds.
This is how long it took his fellow Frenchman Francis Joyon to circle the world three years ago, and THAT was a whopping 14 days faster than British sailor Ellen Macarthur’s record making voyage in 2005.
Two years ago, in the same boat, Coville made an attempt to  … Pictures & More
Sir Russell Coutts felt like Barney Rubble when he climbed on board the wingsail catamaran – the new face of the America’s Cup – on the Hauraki Gulf this week.
After declaring the new style of Cup racing under his watch would meet the expectations of the Facebook generation, not that of the Flintstones, Coutts yesterday admitted feeling a little prehistoric sailing the AC45 built to usher in the new era.
He is, after all, 48, and far from race-fit after  … More