We see a windward and a leeward crew, four men each, sitting stationary in holes, turning wheels, pressing buttons and pedalling to build up power for the trim system. As if by magic, curved arms with filigree foils are raised and lowered, a mainsheet with traveller and a jib sheet are moved.
Spectacular speed
Yes, they shoot spectacularly over the water at more than 50 knots, and with abnormally acute turning angles. They are so fast that they can't cope with a spinnaker, gennaker or code zero; the bowsprit only holds the camera and wind sensor.
We see starts, tacks, gybes and rounding the buoys, but no manoeuvres such as genoa or spinnaker changes, no complex gybes with trees to be shifted, no setting and recovery manoeuvres with all their pitfalls.
So everything was better back then?
No. Sailing is becoming more and more professional. This means that regatta yachts are as far removed from cruising boats as a Formula 1 car is from a road car. And that's nothing new.
A J-Class, a twelve or an IACC-type cupper were not cruising boats when they were used in the America's Cup. A killer argument in favour of the current development comes from Iain Murray, once a successful skiff and twelve-oared sailor, now regatta director in the America's Cup and the SailGP: "The fastest boats on the planet should always sail for the America's Cup."
A position that can certainly be followed. It was always exciting - and it will stay that way. You can read about what happened in the final and what we can expect in the current issue.
Fridtjof Gunkel, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of YACHT
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All topics of the new YACHT at a glance:
PANORAMA
Horizon
Hidden object picture of the start of the 56th Barcolana off Trieste
Current
Opening of the island harbour in Prerow;
Ban on the sale of antifoulings;
Championship of the champions
Journey
One year after the Baltic Sea storm surge:
What has happened in the affected harbours since then
New boats
Mylius 50: elegant performance cruiser;
Puffin 42: solid explorer deck saloon yacht
Sport
Stormy Rolex Middle Sea Race;
exciting final of the German Sailing League;
successful championship of the Club Swan OD
Change of territory
Guaranteed sunshine, longer season, attractive destinations:
Why it can be worth moving your boat to the Mediterranean
and the best way to do it
Harbour report
Anyone sailing along the southern tip of Spain should definitely head for Gibraltar.
We present the highlights around the famous rock
America's Cup
New Zealand won in outstanding fashion. Why were the British without a chance?
An analysis and a look ahead
Caribbean
Winter in the warmth: How sport and fun can be combined on a BVI cruise
German history
The Wall came down 35 years ago. Many GDR citizens had already fled beforehand, some by sailing boat. Like Klaus Schröder. Memories
Gloss
An upside-down world: Steffi von Wolff on a measure with unexpected long-term consequences
Photo competition
The best shots of YACHT readers from the past sailing season
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Contest 31 HT Around 250 of the nine-and-a-half metre long cruise ship have been built since the early 1970s. Is it still worth buying today? Find out in our big used boat test
Moody DS 48 Covered cockpit, large interior: the latest model continues the series of deck saloon yachts from Greifswald and yet is different. The test
MULTIHULL SPECIAL
Long trip with catamaran
A family has sailed around the world in an electrified Saba 50 since 2017.
They have travelled to almost 40 countries. Time to take stock
Neel 52
Sporty and comfortable travelling on three hulls:
the new Tri from France on test
Novelties
Tricat 8.50; Excess 13; Dragonfly 36;
FP New 41; ORC 52.2; Leopard 46; Balance 580
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Used boat
The Duetta was less powerful, but more designed for touring than the other Dehler yachts of its time. Does the concept still work today? We show the strengths and weaknesses of the boat type
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
Navigation
A good hand bearing compass belongs on every boat. Seven models in comparison
Equipment
Schotwinsch; Drone; Actioncam;
Disinfectant for drinking water;
Fresh-keeping box
DIY
Reader tips for stowing accessories and equipment
The special boat The Danes once defended their country with dinghies.
The "Corsør" replica keeps history alive
Wake Why it's worth teaching others to sail
