BMW Oracle takes the RC 44 Austria Cup
Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison’s BMW Oracle team edged out Cameron Appleton’s Team Aqua to win the RC 44 Austria Cup. Both teams dominated the series, each claiming seven wins in nine races, but BMW Oracle prevailed thanks to the head-to-head result in their direct confrontation. Paul Cayard and his Katusha team completed the podium in third place. The regatta highlighted close tactical racing and consistent crew work across a competitive international fleet.
Yale and Boston College prevail at ICSA semifinals
The Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) coed national championship semifinals produced standout performances from East Coast programs, with Yale and Boston College posting commanding results in their respective semifinal locations. From more than 200 collegiate racing programs under the ICSA umbrella, 36 teams were seeded into two semifinal events based on season performance. Each semifinal hosted 18 schools, with only the top nine finishers from each location advancing to the national championship finals later in May.
At the western semifinal in Seattle, light winds limited Day 1 to only four races—two in each of the A and B divisions. Racing intensified on Day 2, and when the series concluded Yale emerged as the winner with 89 points, a narrow margin reflecting the close competition. St. Mary’s finished second with 91 points and Roger Williams placed third with 98. Joining them in qualifying for the national finals were Old Dominion, Harvard, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Salve Regina, SUNY-Maritime and Stanford. The Seattle event showcased the tactical adjustments teams made in shifting wind conditions and highlighted the depth of talent among collegiate programs.
On the East Coast in Charleston, South Carolina, Boston College delivered a dominant performance. Over the course of 15 races in both A and B divisions, BC won 11 races and secured a comfortable lead. Additional top finishers who earned advancement to the championship finals included Georgetown, the University of Vermont, Tufts, Brown, the U.S. Naval Academy, South Florida and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Charleston semifinals underscored Boston College’s strength in match-race tactics and fleet consistency across varied conditions.
Out on the Water Sailing: a new sailing school serving LGBT boaters
A new LGBT-focused sailing charter company and instructional program, Out on the Water Sailing, has launched operations with bases in New York City and Sag Harbor, New York. Co-founded by Captain Chris Bartick and Toby Stull—both experienced sailors, competitive racers and certified instructors—the venture aims to provide welcoming, inclusive sailing opportunities and quality instruction for the LGBT community and allies.
Bartick and Stull hold Merchant Mariner Captain’s licenses and a range of American Sailing Association instructor credentials, and their fleet reflects a blend of performance and cruising boats. Out on the Water Sailing operates a J/22 performance boat named Wanderlust in New York Harbor and a Beneteau First 42, Pearl, moored in Sag Harbor. Their program offerings include evening sails on the Hudson River, multi-night LGBT sailing adventures out of the Hamptons and guided, LGBT-focused adventure cruises to international destinations. For local sailors and visitors seeking instruction or charter experiences in a supportive environment, the company presents a specialized option within the broader sailing community.
Italian crew wins Rolex Farr 40 Worlds
The Rolex Farr 40 World Championship lived up to its reputation as the premier big-boat one-design event. Italy’s Massimo Mezzaroma claimed the title aboard Nerone, securing his second world championship in the Farr 40 class. The competition stretched to the final race, where Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’ Australian entry, Transfusion, was overtaken and finished just behind the winner in the series standings.
Defending champion Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad produced a strong finish, recording a 2, 3 and 1 on the final day to move up the scoreboard and put together the best daily results of the regatta. The event reinforced the high level of international competition in one-design big-boat racing, where small margins and strategic calls determine outcomes in tightly matched fleets.
This article originally appeared in the New England Home Waters section of the July 2010 issue.