The Rolex Commodores’ Cup has just completed in waters off the Isle of Wight and Ireland has finally emerged as the victor.  Irish teams came up short in the 2006 and 2008 events, making the victory especially sweet.  Weather on the final day of competition was blustery and there was a threat of rain.  The rain never materialized and a wind speed of up to 30 knots made for an exciting finale.

“It is delightful to finally have a chance to get our hands on the trophy,” said Anthony O’Leary, owner and helmsman of Ireland’s Ker 39 Antix.

See a full report on each race in the regatta in this YouTube video.  You can also read a full report on Sailing.org, the official website of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

Credit: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

The Rolex Commodore’s Cup is currently underway in the waters near the Isle of Wight.  This event is an international offshore regatta held every other year in waters within the United Kingdom.  It’s open to national sailing teams.  The 2010 Commodore’s Cup regatta commenced on August 14 at Cowes and so far the team from Ireland is in the lead.   Other participating nations include France (4 teams), Great Britain (3 teams), Hong Kong and South Africa.   

The Commodore’s Cup is conducted under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.  Complete details are available on the official Commodore’s Cup website.  See the Rolex Regatta News for information about other Rolex worldwide yachting events.

credit: Lloyd Images

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is the organization responsible for offshore yacht races in the UK. This includes the Commodore’s Cup, the Admirals Cup and the Fastnet Race. The RORC was established in 1925 as a gentleman’s club with the purpose of supporting long distance racing and promoting the design of sailing yachts that combine speed and seaworthiness.

Along with UNCL (a French offshore racing club), the Royal Ocean Racing Club is responsible for the IRC, which is the international handicap system for yacht racing.

The RORC operates a London Clubhouse for members and sponsors an annual calendar of dinners, award ceremonies and lectures. Candidates for membership must have 500 miles offshore racing experience, including one RORC race within the previous 5 years.

For more information, visit the RORC official website.

The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is a non-profit organization that performs rescues in the seas around the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on some interior waterways. The organization was founded in 1824 and is reported to have saved over 139,000 lives since its inception. RNLI currently relies on over 40,000 volunteers who perform a variety of functions, form crewing lifeboats to fundraising.

See the RNLI in action in the YouTube video of a lifeboat launch in rough seas.

The RNLI also publishes a Guide to Sea Safety that every boater can benefit from.

Fairwind Sailing School recently opened a new base in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, which is located in the Abacos Islands.  You can read a fun description of a recent tour of the Abacos Islands aboard Fairwind’s Island Retreat, an Island Packet 40, on SailMagazine.com.  

The Abacos are a 120-mile-long island chain, consisting of Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco (the “mainland”), as well as a string of barrier islands. Located about 100 miles from Florida, Marsh Harbour is located on Great Abaco Island, opening onto the Sea of Abaco.

Protected anchorages and brilliant turquoise waters make this one of the most beautiful sailing locations in the world.  Each island offers a new chance for fun and adventure, from pig roasts on Great Guana to bike riding on Green Turtle Cay.

And no one should miss a visit to the signature striped lighthouse at Hope Town on Elbow Cay. Check with Fairwind for openings in their Instant Bareboater and Ocean Passages sailing classes.

The predictions from weather forecasters are for an active hurricane season in the Atlantic this year.   The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding the boating community to pay attention to tropical storm and hurricane advisories and to take precautionary steps to protect their vessels and their lives.  Read the steps you can take to prepare for hurricane season in this Blue Water Sailing article.

You can read more about the 2010 hurricane season predictions on the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) website.  NOAA suggests that all residents (and not just boat owners) have a hurricane emergency plan in place.  Information on hurricane preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.

Founded in 1934, the Charleston Yacht Club has been located since 1985 on City of Charleston property at the George M. Lockwood Municipal Marina in Charleston, South Carolina. The club supports all types of boating activities, including a 25-year-old Junior Sailing Program that was the starting point for the Charleston Junior Yacht Club. The Charleston Yacht Club is the sponsor for a variety of U.S. Sailing Association events, including national championships. The Yacht Club is a member of the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association and the U.S. Sailing Association.

The Yacht Club’s Flag Room, which offers views of the Ashley River, is a popular location for large gatherings. Find out more about the club at the Charleston Yacht Club website.

For some people, a cherished sailboat means more than recreation. It (or “she” as a true sailor might say) is a source of happiness, adventure, family togetherness and lifelong friends. This beautiful YouTube video shows the importance of a 52-foot Palmer-Johnson sloop named Dyna in the lives of one family:

PlanetSolar, the largest solar-powered boat in the world, was launched on its maiden voyage on March 31 of this year. PlanetSolar is a large catamaran that can hold up to 40 people and cruise at an average speed of 7.5 knots.

Powering the boat are over 500 square meters of solar panels which power two motors. Designed by LOMOcean Design and built by the German shipbuilders Knierim Yachtbau over a period of 14 months, PlanetSolar has embarked on an around-the-world voyage to promote the use of sustainable energy.

If successful, it will be the first solar-powered vessel to circumnavigate the globe.

The 2010 Hanse Yachts PHRF New England Championships promises to be one of the largest offshore sailing events in New England in 2010. From August 27-29, Marblehead, Massachusetts will play host to over 110 boats and 1200 crew members. The regatta is hosted by Eastern Yacht Club.

Get more details on the Hanse Yachts PHRF New England Championships website.