Every year the racing calendar is impressive. Thanks to great annual appointments and international circuits it is impossible to get bored. In addition, there are other events that are not held every year and meet the regular schedule. And in 2017, several of these non-annual regattas coincide, achieving a spectacular schedule.
Strong emotions will start in Les Sables d’Olonne with the arrival of the Vendée Globe frontrunners and finishers, without any doubt, the hardest race there, called the Everest of sailing. In spring and summer the tiny course area surrounding Somerset in Bermuda will host the America’s Cup, the oldest sporting trophy and most widely known regatta, whose entertainment program includes both Youth America’s Cup and J-Class regattas.
The biennial Mini Transat is the seedbed for former ocean sailors, with 4,050 miles in two legs. October 1st start in La Rochelle (France)-Las Palmas (Canary Islands). A month later will be the second leg starting in Las Palmas thru Le Marin (Martinique). This new edition celebrates its 40th anniversary, and as usual the pre-entry registration includes a long waiting list.
The Volvo Ocean Race returns this year, with the same one-design 65 feet boats, a modified course, new crew number regulations and its revised score. In this edition, the boats will be equipped with hydrogenerators that allow less fuel consumption, and the On Board Reporter (OBR) will jump from boat to boat every stage. In this edition the VOR includes in its program the mythical Fastnet Race as Regatta Zero, mandatory but without adding points to the scoreboard.
And while the Olympic community will be setting up after the recent Rio2016, the major international circuits 52 Super Series, RC44 or World Match Racing Tour will offer us exciting mark through during these 12 months, which promise to be intense.
And of course, we never forget the thousands of other races that annually are sailed, thanks to clubs and local organizers who are the tireless heart of our loved sport.
