News

After jumping on bus or plane, teams arrived with harnesses in hand ready for racing. 29erXX Downhill Skiff Cross, a new slalom racecourse – designed after the popular “Downhill Ski Cross” that caused a media storm at the winter Olympics.  During the “Prime Time” racing that took place in front of the Sail Amsterdam grandstands, 8 teams showed off the SEIKO spinnakers in a full knockout series with quarters, semis and finals.

Helene Næss and Ane Gundersen of Norway edging out top Netherlands team in the final proved that excellent boat-handling could land you on top.  After getting knocked out of the quarter finals, Radial star Marit Bouwmeester laughed saying she “might have to get used to having two tillers.”

Read more: Norway Takes Final at 29erXX DOWNHiLL SKiFF CROSS

The Dutch are bringing plenty of silver and gold to this week’s 29erXX Downhill Skiff Cross showcased at the centre of Sail Amsterdam – the world’s largest sailing festival.    

Golden girl Marit Bouwmeester winner of Skandia’s Sail for Gold in Laser Radials, and Beijing Silver medallist in the Yngling Merel Witteveen will be sailing with reigning 29er and 29erXX European Champion Annemiek Bekkering to represent Team Netherlands. 

Sailors look forward to the “fun” and making a big splash for the expected 2 million tourists.  

Read more: Glitzy Girls Gear-Up for DOWNHiLL SKiFF CROSS

With 4 teams in the top 25 of the ISAF 49er rankings, Denmark looks to keep more people – especially women – in the sport of sailing by kick-starting a class that brings sailors up to the next level.  “We wish more people would continue sailing,” report the Danish 29er girls teams.  “[We wish] to create an attractive offer for those sailors who previously disappeared from sailing.  It is also to get former 29er sailors back in sailing in a class with technical, physical and tactical challenges – and the thrill of speed”.

Female skippers finished 3 out of the top 5, 1st (NED), 3rd (DEN) and 5th (NZL),  at the recent 112 boat-29er European Championships held in Spain, and the Danish 29er team was lead by the all-girls pair of Ida Marie Baad, Marie Thusgaard who finished 3^rd over all, proving that size and sex do not matter.  But where can they go from here?

Read more: Powerhouse of Olympic sailing, Denmark gets in gear for the future of women’s sailing

Kingston, On.
Thursday, July 15, 2010

For Immediate Release:

ODYSSEY TIME AGREES TO SPONSOR 49ER CLASS CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND 29ERXX NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Odyssey Time Inc. and Seiko Canada have agreed to sponsor the 2010 49er Canadian Championship and the concurrent 2010 29erXX North American Championship. This partnership with the local North American fleet builds on a running three year relationship between Seiko and the International 49er and 29erXX Classes. Since 2007, Seiko has been the official watch partner of the International 49er Class. In 2008 Seiko joined forces with the new and growing 29erXX class for women.

Read more: Odyssey Time to Sponsor 29erXX North American Championship

Registration for Sail Amerstam Downhill Skiff Cross now open!

Fast and furious slalom racing in the middle of Amsterdam during the Netherlands biggest sailing festival.  Thousands of people will be able to watch top teams in the 29erXX fly around the marks in the 1 on 1 racing.

Cash prize for the winners of the knock-out challenge.

Come Sail Amsterdam - or get to the grand-stands early to catch the show!     Click HERE to register.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Yann Audic
Final Results

29erXX sailors tested the first downhill skiff cross during this morning's postponement. The course is short and features tight jibing for two boats at a time. The racing was exciting for both the sailors and spectators. Part-way through the breeze filled and the day's racing for the European Championship began. The wind and wave picked up quickly and the racers

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 3 Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Yann Audic

A tricky day on the water at the Club Vela La Ballena Alegre with a longtime filling sea-breeze.  Two races got off after a brief postponement, with lighter winds and heavy chop.  The conditions were challenging and there were

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 2 Racing

photos by Yann Audic available here
While it was 40 degrees in Barcelona, a gorgeous 8-15 knots of warm sea breeze made for perfect racing on the Costa Brava here at Ballena Alegre.  The fleet completed 4 35-minute races, and despite a lot of first-time trappers, the over-all boat-handling was top-notch.

Read more: 29erXX Seiko European Championship 2010 - Day 1 Racing

The strong La Tramontana wind postponed the Downhill Skiff Cross, and all 25 teams signed up were glad to catch a few more ZZZ's in the wake of the 29er European Championship final fiesta.  By launching time, the Race Committee had all the slalom marks in place ready to go and the wind went round 180 degrees and died... NOOO!

But eager sailors, and even more eager regatta organizers (the entire RC and the VP of 29er Christian Kramer) hit the hot beach with harnesses and climbed into zodiacs for some ride-sharing.  Not to be outdone was Manuel the CEO of Club Vela La Ballena Alegre who in full flouro neoprene and helmet hit the twin wires with 29er President Jen Morgan Glass at his side for a tight reach.

At 63, the retired Flying Dutchman Olympic campaigner proved the 29erXX is not just for kids.

2010 Volvo ISAF Youth World sailors Andrea Savio and Alessandro Savio of Italy, took a spin when the sea breeze kicked in and pulled a series of hot gybes deciding two wires are definitely better than one.

Back at the hot boat park the fleet rigged and Seiko'd up the sails getting ready for the next day's racing.  Everyone was so fired up about the Downhill Skiff Cross, the fleet will "go downhill" later in the week.

Everyone send good vibes for sweet breeze!

Photos by Yann Audic Photography - www.yannaudic.com
Click the photo on the Documentary to see the whole gallery

 

 

 

 

June 5-6 2010 was the 2nd 29erXX "Hangtime" training weekend in Coronado, California. 5 29erXXs were in attendance including both 29erXX vetrans and many new to the 29erXX.

Stacy Childers took excellent photos of the weekend which can be found here.

Thanks to 470 Olympian Brady Sih for putting together the group's lessons and tips from the weekend in the form of a Sailing and Tuning Guide for the 29erXX.

Read more: Asia ready for the NEXXT big thing in sailing - Hong Kong takes on the 29erXX

Don't miss an opportunity to have a fun sail in the 29erXX Downhill Skiff  Cross event to be held July 6, just prior to the 29erXX Europeans.  It's open to all  - even if you've never tried a 29erXX!  Let the fun begin!! downhillskiffxx.pdf

AHOY sailors!

Charter fee will be 50 GBP/60 EUR with a 100 GBP/120 EUR damage deposit.  The deposit is refundable if the equipment is returned with no damage.  Teams may be charged up to an extra 100 GBP/120 EUR for any damage to cover insurance excess.

The Charter covers everything you need for a 29erXX if you already have a 29er.
This means you need your own
• hull
• centerboard
• rudder
• boom
• main/jib sheet

In order to secure your spot, please contact Ovington Boats directly at +44 (0)191 257 6011 to make a payment over the phone with a credit card in (this will be charged in GBP).

If you would like to pay in Euros, please contact Eduard Rodes < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >

 
There is a limited number of charters available, so make sure to secure your spot early!

To register for the event: www.29erxxregattas.org

Cheers – and see you on the water soon!

A fleet of 29erXXs is growing on the west coast of the USA. A series of clinics and regattas are being discussed by the new owners and interested participants. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you're interested in joining in.

A limited number of rigs with sails from the Seiko Superbowl Regatta are still available. Some have 3 days of sailing on them, some are brand new. The price, FOB PS2000 is $4950.00. This introductory price will only last through this batch of rigs, so get yours now while the price is low! Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to pick yours up today.

As anyone watching Sailgroove interviews can tell you, the experience in Miami was extremely positive for everyone.The 29erXX proved itself an enjoyable challenge for skiff and non-skiff sailors alike. Italian 470 skipper and two-time Olympian (470 and Yngling) Giulia Conti told Sailgroove "It was so much fun. I'm a 470 sailor and I'm a skipper, and I'm not used to trapezing a lot, but I'm having a lot of fun." When asked why she took a break from her 470 training she smiled and said "Hopefully to get to Rio 2016 with the 29erXX, so I'm practicing for that". 

 

Nine teams from four countries (ARG, AUS, ITA, USA) and four continents enjoyed three days of racing and a practice day. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club race committee did a great job on the water and the wind mostly cooperated allowing the fleet 10 races. Seiko provided beautiful watch trophies for the top two teams of Hannah Nattrass (AUS) / Graham Biehl (USA) and Francisco Piccini (ARG) and Sofia Tedin (ARG). Congratulations!

The friendly vibe of the event really helped all sailors to feel welcome. As event coach Trevor Moore commented, "We had a great opportunity where everyone was willing to try different tuning sets and we were able to line up and compare". It was immediately obvious to all participants the open attitude of the 29erXX offers a chance for all sailors to learn from each other. By working together with coach Trevor the group excelled as each day lead to rig setting adjustments that were discussed and digested by all participants in the daily debrief. 

Adam Roberts (USA), a 470 skipper, reports "As a first time skiffer it was a pretty awesome experience. its just like learning sailing all over again. I can't complain about going fast all the time. I've had a great time." Many of the event's sailors share Adam's feelings.

You're probably wondering how and where you can get into a 29erXX yourself? The 2010 schedule can be found on the 29er.org site under the XX tab. It is quite comprehensive for 2010, thanks to support from longtime sponsor Seiko. Seiko will provide beautiful watch trophies for three 29erXX events in 2010. There are many privately-owned rigs in Europe and this year's European events already have many sailors signing up. A growing fleet in North America can look forward to two Canadian events this summer. A fleet is just starting on the west coast of USA and will likely have two or three events scheduled in the next few weeks. Events are also being planned in Argentina and Australia. Look to the XX tab on 29er.org for more information.

 

For More Information:
29er.org under the XX tab
29erXX Google Group

Event Photos:
Stacy Childers
Kit Temple

Event Videos and Interviews:
Sailgroove

Results:
Final Results

Congratulations to Sofia Tedin and Francisco Piccini who have purchased a 29erXX rig after a successful time at the 29erXX Seiko Superbowl regatta. They will return to Argentina with their new purchase. We look forward to more 29erXXs in Argentina soon.

The 29erXX Executive has created a 29erXX Google Group to use as a forum for 29erXX related discussions. This is the place to email other 29erXX sailors to talk about tuning, tips, events, etc. It will be linked under the 29erXX tab. To join visit groups.google.com/group/29erxx. See you there!

2010 has a lot to offer for 29erXXs! See the 29erXX Calendar. More details coming soon.

Its not too late to sign up for the 2010 SEIKO SUPERBOWL in Miami! Its going to be one great event with Seiko Rashies, Seiko Kites, not to mention Seiko WATCHES as trophies, cash prizes, and more. First team to the weather mark during the 3 races on the last day will win $200! Top team to buy a rig will get cash support. Come join in the fun! All details can be found by clicking on the Seiko Superbowl Regatta Miami link under the events / results menu item above.