Sail Magazine

by Meredith Laitos

Meredith Laitos is SAIL’s Senior Editor. She sails in and around Boston and specializes in charter destinations.

Ida Lewis Distance Race Open to Juniors

by Meredith Laitos, Posted March 11, 2010

This summer, teens in New England will have a unique opportunity to take their sailing offshore. The Ida Lewis Distance Race, now in its sixth year, is introducing a new component to the event in which teams of 14- to 19-year-olds can compete in a “youth challenge.” The race will begin on August 20, and race organizers are

Not Just Another How-To Book

by Meredith Laitos, Posted March 8, 2010

This is not your average how-to-sail manual. In The Blue Book of Sailing, Adam Cort (SAIL’s Senior Editor) divides sailing into “The 22 keys to sailing mastery.” The topics are basic but presented an in-depth manner that will provide even lifetime sailors with a deeper understanding. For instance, rather than simply describing the process of a tack, Cort delves into the evolution of tacking

Fairwind Sailing Opens New Base in the Bahamas

by Meredith Laitos, Posted February 28, 2010

“Goooood morning, cruisers!” the jovial voice rang through the VHF at 0815 every morning, kicking off the best part of every day in the Bahamian Abacos: Cruisers’ Net. From weather reports in various passages, to announcements from area restaurants and dive shops, Cruisers’ Net allowed us to become a fast fit in the friendly waters. The sailing was beautiful, the navigation was challenging and

Piracy in Somalia Still a Threat

by Meredith Laitos, Posted February 28, 2010

When British cruising couple Rachel and Paul Chandler had their boat hijacked and were taken into custody by Somalian pirates four months ago, the sailing community put a halt to visiting the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas. Now, as news of the couple's plight has quieted down, NATO is warning sailors of becoming complacent about the still-pervasive possibility of piracy in the area.

USA wins Race One

by Meredith Laitos, Posted February 12, 2010

Today in Valencia, USA, the trimaran sailed by the Challenger, BMW ORACLE Racing Team, crossed the finish line 15 minutes and 28 seconds before the Defender Alinghi during Race One of the 33rd America's Cup. After two days of postponement, today's race kicked of a best-of-three match that will last throughout the weekend and possibly into next week. USA, represented by San

These Numbers Don't Lie

by Meredith Laitos, Posted February 10, 2010

If you want to please a crowd, you have to know the audience. If you want to grow the sport of sailing, you have to know who’s getting in the boats. This was the thinking behind a recent survey conducted by the American Sailing Association (ASA). “We wanted to learn more about our students,” executive director Charlie Nobles said. “We hope people will take what we found, apply it to their corner

Digging Deep for MEXORC

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 29, 2010

MEXORC has always been a moving target, and for 2010 it’s being redesigned yet again. This is your looking-ahead checkup, because there’s been a concern and maybe we can clear that up. But first—The essential West-Coast-of-Mexico-biennial is now a featured component of the inaugural Regata Copa Mxico, intended to celebrate the country’s bicentennial and then build from there. Some pretty

January 2010 Charter Specials

by Meredith Laitos, Posted January 21, 2010

If you're looking to take your chartering to the next level, try racing a Sunsail 39i in the inaugural IYCC during the BVI Spring Regatta, March 29-April 4. Sunsail will provide the winner with 10% off the yacht and a free sailing charter. If it's vacationing you're after, Sunsail is offering 20% off both one- and two-week flotillas in the BVI

SAIL’s December Charter Deals

by Meredith Laitos, Posted December 21, 2009

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but a warm sail sounds delightful! For many sailors, December is the start of a long, cold off-season, but in warmer climes, it is prime chartering time, and great deals abound. TMM is now offering wireless onboard its BVI-based charter yachts, the Moorings recently added a gorgeous new Beneteau 54.5 to its fleet and Conch Charters is offering eight days for

Course de l’Alliance: a race, a tour, an adventure

by Meredith Laitos, Posted December 21, 2009

“What you have to remember about this regatta is that it’s not just racing,” said race organizer Herv Dorvil, his speech drifting seamlessly between French and English. “It’s about bringing together the French and the Dutch and the sailors from three different islands and doing something we all love.”The sixth annual Course de l’Alliance, hosted by the Sint Maartin Yacht Club