USA 17 has only ever competed twice, but she sailed the races of her life to dominate the Swiss defender, Alinghi, off Valencia, Spain, last year and win the 33rd America’s Cup.
The extraordinary carbon-fiber machine is being loaded onto the freighter M.V. Star Isfjord this week for the long delivery trip to San Francisco via the Panama Canal. The freighter carrying both USA 17 and her extraordinary 223ft wingsail is scheduled to leave Valencia on January 29 or 30 for  the 7,900-nautical-mile passage to the Bay Area. The estimated arrival in San Francisco, dependent upon on-time loading, sea conditions en-route and transit time in the Panama Canal, is …  Details
After months of waiting for the perfect weather window, the sailing crew on Banque Populaire V, the world’s largest racing trimaran, cast off their dock lines on Saturday to take on the challenge of a lifetime. The team plans on sailing around the world non-stop, and if all goes to plan, will return to France in less than 48 days with a new record under their collective belt. Skipper Pascal Bidegorry hand picked the crew for this endeavor, including a man that knows more than a thing or two about setting around the world sailing records, YachtPals’ member and good friend Brian Thompson.Â
If you don’t already know: These guys are crazy for speed. While your average sailor looks for clear weather and a nice steady breeze to propel his craft across a lake, bay or ocean, record breakers looks for truly horrid conditions. The type of weather that sends most of us into port is what sends them out. You see, if you’re going to break a world record you need  … Pitcures & More
The new catamaran sailboat that will be used for the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series in now sailing! The debut of the America’s Cup wing-sailed AC45 catamaran.
The forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats, the AC45 made its maiden voyage in Auckland. “Thanks to the efficiency of the New Zealand boat building industry and a huge effort by our team, the first AC45 is now ready for sea trials just a mere four months after this exciting new multihull class was first conceptualized,†said Tim Smyth, co-construction manager for Core Builders Composites of Warkworth, New Zealand.
The AC45 will be the centerpiece of the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series, which will start  … Pictures & More