Bavaria Yachts USA, the sponsor of the 19th Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta, is a provider of 32′ to 55′ cruising sailboats designed by the German company Bavarian Yachtbau GmbH. Bavaria combines the quality of German engineering with design collaboration from BMW Designworks USA and Farr Yacht Design in its Cruiser and Vision lines.

The Bavaria shipyard, located in the heart of Germany, is the largest yacht production facility in the world. Over 650 employees working side-by-side with a few robots deliver over 3500 yachts to owners around the globe. Each yacht is made to order, providing many individual customization options ranging from air-conditioning and auto-pilots to electric winches and generators.

Find out more on the Bavaria Yachts USA website.

The TR2011 is an adventure challenge that involves 26 sailboats and almost 3,000 nautical miles, with the first ships setting sail on June 26 in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A. and finishing in mid-July off Lizard Point in South Cornwall, U.K. The remaining ships will following in a staggered series of starts that will take place through July 3.

The sailing vessels that are scheduled to participate range in size from the 289 ft. luxury yacht Maltese Falcon (one of the largest privately-owned sailboats in the world) to the 40 ft sailboat Dragon.

Check back here for updates as the race progresses.  You can find out more about the Transatlantic Race 2001 on the official race website.

Oracle Racing unveiled a new class of racing catamarans in San Francisco Bay this week in preparation for the 2013 America’s Cup.  The high tech design was engineered in Auckland for Oracle Racing of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, defender of the America’s Cup.

No one expected the AC45 Oracle Racing Yacht to flip, but that’s exactly what happened in rough conditions that included high winds.  One member of the crew suffered minor injuries and was briefly hospitalized.  Check out the capsize in this YouTube video.

Credit: Marinas.com

On June 11, the Eastport Yacht Club of Annapolis, MD, will host the 19^th Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta.  Bavaria Yachts USA is a presenting sponsor of the annual event.  Following the race on the Chesapeake, Bavaria will open its doors to the public and provide an opportunity to view its newest line of 45ft Cruiser yachts.  An All Hands Crew Party will follow and will include an awards ceremony where the top fundraising boat will be awarded the Leukemia Cup.

The 19^th Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta is one of a series of regattas held nationwide to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  More than 100 sailboats and 500 crew members are expected to participate in the one-day event.

Find out more on the website of the Eastport Yacht Club.

The captain and crew of the Volvo Open 70 yacht “Mar Mostro” visited Miami this week in preparation for the upcoming 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.  The 39,000-mile race kicks off in Spain this October and will finish one leg in Miami the following May.  The “Mar Mostro” is the only American entry in the around-the-world race and Miami is the only North American stop.  Captain Ken Read and his crew of 10 were in Miami for a shakedown cruise in their new Puma-sponsored yacht. 

See the first day sail of “Mar Mostro” in this YouTube video.  You can find out more about the race on the Volvo Ocean Race website.

After Tortola and Anegada, Virgin Gorda is the third-largest largest of the British Virgin Islands.  The island’s name, which means “Fat Virgin” in Spanish, is said to have been bestowed by Christopher Columbus because the island resembles a plump woman lying in the water.  The Baths is one of the most popular attractions on Virgin Gorda.  This unique geological site, formed by volcanic activity, includes large granite boulders that are piled on the beach, creating a series of natural grottoes that open to the sea. 

The Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor is located just north of The Baths and the world-famous Bitter End Yacht Club is also nearby on Virgin Gorda.  Find out more about The Baths on Virgin Gorda on the British Virgin Islands website.

The Nisi 2400 made its debut at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show in February. This 78 ft superyacht is the product of a collaboration between Tricon Marine and Setzer Design Group. The result is combination of traditional and modern elements. Round portlights, art deco style windows and an upright house harken back to the early 1900s, while its wave-piercing bow and division between upper and lower sections is purely modern. Inside are state-of-the-art technology and luxurious accommodations for 8.

Read a full review of the Nisi 2400 on the Yachting Magazine website.  Then visit the official Tricon Marine website for complete specs on the Nisi 2400.

The Palm Beach Post reports that golfer Tiger Woods has put his 155-ft yacht “Privacy” up for sale. Tiger is reported to be asking $25 million for the super-yacht, which he originally purchased as a wedding gift for his wife Elin Nordegren. He is said to have offered “Privacy” to Elin as part of her $100 million divorce settlement package, but she refused to take on the $2 million annual maintenance costs. In happier days, Tiger and Elin spent many weeks cruising with a full-time crew of 13.

Tiger is not giving up the boating life altogether. He recently purchased “Solitude,” a 62-foot diving boat that he plans to use with this children. Read more about the sale of “Privacy” in the Palm Beach Post.

Yachting Magazine has opened the voting for its Top 50 Best Yachting Towns in the world. One of the towns featured in its photo gallery of nominees is Cape May, New Jersey. Located on the end of a peninsula in the southern part of the state, Cape May is home to the oldest seaside resort in America. The entire town of Cape May has been designated as a historic landmark. It is also one of the top birding locations in North America.

The Corinthian Yacht Club in Cape May offers a full calendar of racing events and social activities. It traces its history back to 1872, when a group of yacht owners formed the Cape May Yacht Club. To learn more, visit the Cape May and Corinthian Yacht Club websites.

The Sunsail 444 made its debut at the recent London Boat Show. This catamaran features a revolutionary forward cockpit with folding table and covered seating. Below deck are 4 spacious double cabins, each with its own toilet and shower, as well as 2 forward berths for crew members.

The 444 is a unique catamaran with deep narrow groove hulls and a shallow draft. This Sunsail yacht handles equally well under sail or power.

Find out more about the Sunsail 444 on the Sunsail website.