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OH Sanya

ByThe Rigging Company

Just as the things started looking up for the China based team, Sanya reported a rudder failure and luckily was able to make an at sea repair with the spare rudder. Here is Skipper Mike Sanderson’s take……. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyykNlq1szI&w=560&h=315] Here is some more on that, as well as some high speed surfing action…… [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJYomihIgP4&w=560&h=315]

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The Hardest Part is Yet to Come……

ByThe Rigging Company

The fleet had a short lay over in the worlds sailing capital and are off to leg 5. Only 6000 NM to go. Team Abu Dhabi had a major bulkhead failure and had to return to port after leading the pack just some 40 NM outside of Auckland. The rest of pack has been experiencing some harsh…

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Epic Finish in Auckland!

ByThe Rigging Company

Many sailors are at home here in Aukland and many are just plain relieved by the thought of finishing this grueling leg. Franck Cammas and Team Groupama clinch their first Volvo Ocean Race leg win, smashing the competition and finishing 12 hours ahead of second place. The battle for second and third was the most impressive part…

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VOR- The Home Stretch

ByThe Rigging Company

It almost seems as if Cape Reinga, New Zealand gets farther and farther away as the teams approach the final stretch. With the final 400 NM a-head, the wind has shifted forward, making the teams work up wind until the very end. Most of the teams are tired and beat up from the many sail changes…

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V.O.R. – “It’s All Good….”

ByThe Rigging Company

As the teams approach the equator in the middle of the Pacific Ocean,  conditions continue to improve as the trade winds arrive.  Here is just a ‘tid-bit’ on Team Puma and how there wild decision to stray from the pack ended up. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB52Mv_ZNZc&w=560&h=315] Stay up to date on race info at www.volvooceanrace.org

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Volvo Ocean Race

ByThe Rigging Company

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M7KBDi0Z4o&w=560&h=315] After the fleet having to work upwind in some short and steep ‘chop’ (due to the strong current streams opposing the wind direction) for the first portion of this leg, the fleet did have a glimmer of some fast downwind action. Many of the crews have been sick for most of this leg…

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A Finish in Sanya

ByThe Rigging Company

The V.O.R. teams have brought leg three to a close over the weekend. Team Telefonica sets a new record of finishing in first place for the first three legs. Ken Reid’s team puma struggles to keep up the morale ever since their leverage tactic did not pay off! And the French team, Groupama, maintain a…

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Telefonica Keeps The Lead As They Approach The Last 400NM

ByThe Rigging Company

Ken Read’s Puma Team carries a somber tone as their leverage move to split from the fleet, backfires! Mar Mastro finds itself just ahead of last place Team Sanya and aside from the fleet making a huge mistake, will be lucky to reel-in Team Abu Dhabi, which lie just ahead. Team Groupama is nipping at the leader’s heals only 7 NM…

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The Singapore Strait – Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

ByThe Rigging Company

 Team Telefonica find themselves in the lead yet once again. Somehow the the Spanish team seems to tactically climb from the back of the pack to the front , every time, without fail. As the fleet clear all of the obstacles of the Malacca Strait they head into even tighter quarters which should make for interesting night sailing. The debris and…

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Puma’s Mar Mastro Leads the Pack!

ByThe Rigging Company

Although it is a close race for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Team Puma leads the charge on a port tack drag race. Things are sure to change as the fleet, currently spaced approximately 25 square nautical miles apart, approaches the Malacca Strait. Get caught up on some VOR as Team Sanya try their best to give a good…

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Annapolis Sailor to Round Cape Horn!

ByThe Rigging Company

This gentleman, Matt Rutherford, was originally a customer of the former Chesapeake Rigging. He had asked Chesapeake Rigging for a standard rigging inspection and stated that he had plans of crossing the Atlantic. I never met with him face to face but distinctly remember his request because it wasn’t every day that one of our customers (who…

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New Business Owner, The Rigging Company, LLP

ByThe Rigging Company

Jimmie Cockerill has been actively pursuing the marine industry since 2004. He began as a wood worker’s apprentice under the tutelage of Jody Leonard, the owner of Bodkin Marine Service. Jimmie’s initial focus was classic and historical yacht restoration. Within a short time, he found himself expanding his knowledge base into marine carpentry and  traditional rigging. As he…