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Bella Mente Racing Posts Impressive Victories at NYYC Annual Regatta

Bella Mente Racing’s positive feelings about racing in the  New York Yacht Club’s 168th Annual Regatta  (June 10 -12) off Newport, R.I. translated into the team’s victory over five other ORC A class competitors in both Friday’s Around the Island Race and the weekend’s separately scored series of six around-the-buoys races.

“The Around the Island Race was a lot of fun, as tricky, changeable conditions really meant that no lead was safe,” said Mike “Moose” Sanderson, who in the absence of owner/driver Hap Fauth served as  Bella Mente ’s skipper over the event’s three racing days, “but we started well, managed to pass  Proteus  (a Maxi 72 as is  Bella Mente ) and then it was a matter of keeping it simple and trying to (avoid) the ‘land mines’ ahead!”  The land mines were the slower boats in some of the 13 other classes that started ahead of ORC A.

According to Bella Mente Racing’s tactician Terry Hutchinson, both the Around the Island Race and the Annual Regatta series were very hard-fought, but for different reasons. “ For the Around the island Race, Belle Mente had to contend with not only our competition (which included long-time rival Vesper, an IRC 72) but also two transition zones (major wind shifts) and lots of bogeys (other boats) on the racecourse to navigate through, ” he said. “ Saturday/Sunday racing was equally as good. Bella Mente, Proteus, and Vesper each won races, and while Bella Mentecame out on top it was an incredibly tight event. ”

Indeed, as stellar as  Bella Mente ’s performance was in the weekend’s primarily moderate breezes, there was no real turning point when the team felt assured of overall victory. “ The last race was short, so when we led Vesper around the first lap after a lot of exciting boat-on-boat action, it was looking more likely we’d win ,” said Sanderson, “ however, it’s never over in this class, which makes it exciting all the way to the end. ” 

Sanderson and Hutchinson both noted that training sessions leading up to this event were critical in the continual development of  Bella Mente  and its equipment. As part of that, Coach James Lyne analyzed the boat’s sail set-up, maneuvers and weight placement. During training and racing, he photographs and records the performance of the boat from an aero and hydro standpoint. “ We were really happy with the new rig and sails,” said Sanderson, “but somehow we need to find some rating optimization without slowing the boat down, so we have some fun challenges ahead! ” 

Sanderson added that for the Annual Regatta, Bella Mente Racing knew that  Bella Mente  would be most closely matched with  Vesper  and  Proteus.  In the end, the three finished, respectively, in first, second and third with only one point separating each position. “ The fact that we all ended up so close on points was no surprise,” he said, “but Vesperbeat up on us pretty hard at the previous regatta in the Caribbean, so it was nice to be at least in the hunt. We are under no illusion, though; we still have a lot of work to do if we want to be in the mix for the Maxi World Championships later this year. ” 

Meanwhile, next up for  Bella Mente  is the July 13-16 New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

10 June 2022

Bella mente racing readies for nyyc annual regatta.

It has been a while since  Bella Mente Racing  has felt this good about competing. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused setbacks over the past two years that, at worst, put the brakes on sailing worldwide, or, at best, threw a monkey wrench into the team’s best-laid of logistical plans. Now,  Bella Mente ’s crew has put behind it several days of training on Narragansett Bay and is ready to rumble on the race course at the 168th NYYC’s Annual Regatta, which starts Friday, June 10 and runs through Sunday, June 12.

Bella Mente Racing has consisted of the same steady team for years. For this regatta, Mike (“Moose”) Sanderson, normally the relief helmsman for owner/driver Hap Fauth, will step in to drive. Terry Hutchinson will serve as tactician, while Ian Moore will serve as navigator. The team will be without long-time strategist Adrian Stead, due to a personal conflict, but Sanderson says he will not be replaced. “ We know Newport waters well, so we’re just going with more grinding power ,” he said.

Sanderson explained that the team’s last regatta Bella Mente, a Botin 72, was the Les Voiles de St. Barths in April. “ We struggled results-wise and were beaten up by Vesper (a Judel Vrolijk 72), ” he said. “ We were on the back foot; due to Covid shipping issues, Bella Mente was late, which is very un-Bella-Mente-like. Before that, we had sea trials, but it was quite a long break from regattas and we hadn’t really sailed in anger since the Maxi Worlds in September last year. ”

Since Les Voiles, Bella Mente has been fitted with a new mast; the prior one had broken above the forestay at Les Voiles in 2019 and after repair was used up until now.  “ It was a good repair, of course, but we’re excited about this new mast ,” said Sanderson. “ It’s a little taller, affecting our rating somewhat, but performance-wise we have high hopes for it along with our new big jibs and mainsail (that were built to fit) .”

Bella Mente will enjoy a rematch against Vesper on Friday in the Regatta’s race around Conanicut Island starting at 1100. Two days of buoy or navigator-course racing on Rhode Island Sound and in Narragansett Bay will follow on June 11 and 12. Others in Bella Mente’s class are Proteus, another Maxi 72; Arctos, a 68-footer; and Denali and Kodiak, both 66-footers.

Afterward, Bella Mente will remain in Newport in preparation for the July 13-16 New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

More About NYYC Annual Regatta

The New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta was first sailed on the Hudson River on July 16 and 18, 1846. A similar competition the previous year was called a Trial of Speed. With a few exceptions for world wars and other global crises, the event has been held every year since. For most of its existence, the Annual Regatta was raced on waters close to New York City. Since 1988, however, the event has been sailed out of the Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, R.I., and has settled into the current three-day format.

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Bella Mente Racing to Launch New Maxi 72 Yacht this Summer in Newport, RI

Hap Fauth and his team on Bella Mente Racing made their first big splash onto the grand prix racing scene back in 2006, and this year the three-time Maxi 72 World Champions are preparing to make more waves with the launch of a new state-of-the-art Maxi 72 yacht. Designed by Botin Partners and built by New England Boatworks, the yacht is the fourth under the  Bella Mente  namesake and is set to be unveiled this July in Newport, R.I., just in time to be shipped to Porto Cervo, Sardinia for the 2018 Rolex Maxi 72 Worlds in September.

“I’m excited to dive into the development and build of a new yacht again and go through the process of figuring out how to optimize boat speed and get back into competition mode,” said Fauth, adding humorously that his team’s nickname among competitors is “Experimente” due to the in-depth testing and analyzing they perform on the boat each season. “When you’re sailing at this level, even the smallest details can be game changers. As we move forward with this new build, no stone can be left unturned.”

For New England Boatworks, this will be the third  Bella Mente  that it has built for Fauth. Located in Portsmouth, R.I, the premier boatyard is responsible for some of the world’s most high-performance yachts. The new  Bella Mente  build began this past November, and the boatyard team, as well as a team of Bella Mente Racing boatbuilders, are working in overdrive to ensure the yacht launches this summer. 

“The Maxi 72 represents the epitome of the sport of sailing, so it is very exciting to be leading the charge on a project of this caliber,” said New England Boatworks Partner Tom Rich, adding that the class has gained more and more traction over the years, resulting in the International Maxi Association tightening up the rules in 2017. The class now strictly abides by the owner/driver rule, and all the yachts must fit the 72-foot length requirement. There is also a rating cap that narrows the performance differences between each yacht.

“Although there are very specific guidelines that we as builders and the designers must abide by, there is also quite a bit of room for innovation. Even the most subtle change can make a big difference.”

In addition to working together, Rich and Fauth have been friends for decades. “We have mutual respect for one another, and I certainly enjoy his company. He’s a very good sailor with a great gut instinct, and he’s very interested in getting knowledge out of people. He enjoys all the small and steady steps taken to improve the boat and its performance. “

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When it comes to the team, the majority of Bella Mente Racing’s crew will stay the same as the previous year. Fauth will be joined in the afterguard by Volvo Ocean Race champion Mike Sanderson, two-time Olympian Adrian Stead and Tactician Terry Hutchinson, a two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year.

“It’s great to be on our way to getting the boat launched and racing to see what we can learn, but it will be a development process for sure,” said Hutchinson, adding that there are six Maxi 72s currently on the competitive race circuit, two of which are newer builds and didn’t hit their stride on the racecourse until either their third or fourth season. “Newer design and newer construction doesn’t guarantee a better result, but it does buy us time to begin the process of developing and optimizing the boat for the future. Our first challenge this year will be to quantify where we left off in 2017 with sail development, and our second challenge is to understand the dynamic of the rig and how the sail program interacts with it. From there, we need to learn the new boat’s mode versus the rest of the Maxi 72 fleet, which is the most critical component. With that said, we certainly have an exciting year on the horizon.”

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Even Racing Yachts Have Pit Crews

It takes sailmakers, carbon specialists, hydraulics experts and workers “who can do anything” to keep these boats in racing shape. And don’t forget the chef.

By Kimball Livingston

It takes a small army, not a navy, to keep Maxi yachts performing, race after race. More precisely, it takes an army corps of engineers.

The team behind the American yacht Bella Mente intends to start the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which begins on Monday, with two carbon-specialist boat builders standing by. Each is capable of repairing major damage. One is a full-time employee; the other is recruited for practice and for the races at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.

For shore support, add a sailmaker. Add a hydraulics expert. Add multiple “utilitarian guys who can do anything,” as described by the project manager and team director, Rob Ouellette.

Add a driver for the sizable and fast chase boat that will accompany the yacht around the course each day. Add a coach who will ride along to video maneuvers for review in the daily debrief, while also keeping an eye out for insights into how other boats are performing. Also riding along: a repair kit, engine spares, first aid, oxygen and a defibrillator.

Ashore there is a chef, and there are chef’s helpers. They will work long hours in the rented crew houses. Between sailors and the shore team, there are 30 mouths to feed three times a day, Ouellette said: “We go through a lot of calories.” He might have mentioned that the average size of a person on a Maxi crew is big, very big.

Include also the sailing crew themselves. Each brings expertise. Sail trimmers will consult the sailmaker after each race day regarding adjustments or repairs. The 10 grinders, who spin winch handles at the behest of the trimmers, will break the winches apart after races and inspect and repair the gears, Ouellette said: “The grinders ‘own’ everything mechanical.

“The shore crew has long days, but there is so much to go through, they would never get it done on their own,” he said. “There is no line where responsibility ends or begins. Anything you trashed today is yours to make ready for tomorrow.”

Even if it takes working until tomorrow. The ethic is no different from what you find in the pit crews of high-end auto racing, but more members of a sailing team get time on the course.

Bella Mente, 74 feet, is the fourth boat of that name for the businessman Hap Fauth, who is also a principal backer of the New York Yacht Club’s challenge for the America’s Cup, American Magic .

About leading the team to Porto Cervo, Ouellette said, “It’s a lovely place to sail, but there are not a lot of services. We will have three 40-foot containers, and with them all the resources to do anything we need. One container is for sail repair and sail storage. One is a composites shop, and one is a machine shop. You need that to race at this level.”

Vesper, last year’s winner of the Mini Maxi division, travels with two 40-foot containers. According to the project manager Ken Keefe, one container is devoted to sail storage and repair, with two heavy-duty sewing machines, and is occupied by a dedicated sailmaker.

That role supplements the sailmakers who participate in races.

“Our other container has a full mechanical workshop, including a lathe, drill press and a stock of spares for the parts most likely to fail,” Keefe said. “Most of the guys who sail on the boat can also work on the boat, but we bring in a hydraulics engineer to manage a winch system that is complicated — no more than it needs to be — but not robust. It needs constant attention and upgrading.”

Vesper will skip this regatta in favor of Caribbean races, but the many returning boats include Proteus in the Mini Maxi group. The man in charge of Proteus, Reggie Cole, described the program as being “as lean as they come in our fleet.” That translates to relying heavily on the sailing crew for maintenance, while bringing only two of the team’s three containers.

Proteus will have one boat builder standing by to repair, for example, a hole in the carbon hull in event of that collision that everyone fears.

“He’ll work through the night if need be,” Cole said, backed, of course, by members of the sail team. Cole added that the chase-boat driver does more than follow the races. The driver performs a critical role between races. With Proteus moored in the harbor and the containers on a pier, there is continual shuttling back and forth.

In the same Mini Maxi group, Sir Peter Ogden skins the cat differently by keeping things tight with his Jethou team and man for all seasons Stuart Branson, who said he had been with Sir Peter for 22 years. Branson manages logistics, arranges flights and hires the chefs.

Branson said his sailing crew was “self-sufficient.” “We come with two containers equipped with tools and parts and carbon resin,” he said. “Sail repair is us. We’re a tight group of 16, and we can fix just about anything.”

One might expect to find the biggest shore teams working for the biggest boats, the classic and classic-replica giants of the J Class. However, they are more like the tight Jethou squad.

Peter Holmberg , an Olympic silver medalist and the helmsman for the 140-foot Topaz, said that while Js have their container villages, “The permanent crew is essentially the shore team. There will be a captain, first mate, bosun, chef and stew working on the boat year-round and contracting outside work as needed. Once racing starts, the entire crew of sailors becomes the shore team because they are, in their full-time professions, riggers, sailmakers, carbonologists. They are there to exercise all their skills before the race, in the race and after. Whatever it takes.”

Bella Mente Racing: Mike Sanderson Newport regatta analysis

• Inshore Racing

“It has been a great ten days of sailing, that’s for sure!” said Mike Sanderson after sailing with Bella Mente Racing to a Queen’s Cup victory on Sunday.

The Queen’s Cup, staged by the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) since 1953 and offering as its prize one of the Club’s oldest and most prestigious trophies, was for many years held during the Club’s Annual Cruise. Of late, however, it has been a stand-alone event held in the waters off Newport, R.I.; this year it was added to the end of NYYC’s four-day New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, in which Bella Mente also competed to finish third.

“The Queen’s Cup course was 17 miles and triangle-style, bringing back memories of the old Olympic course,” said Sanderson, who serves as Bella Mente’s crew boss and co-helms with owner Hap Fauth in offshore races. “It’s always fun to go reaching!”

He said the first full lap was in a healthy nine knots of breeze; however, a second lap brought a rain shower that killed the wind and pushed it hard right. “Our timing was good, and we made a nice little gain at the top of that lap and were then able to take advantage of it for the long light run to the finish. We never stopped, but it did get pretty light.”

Fauth said the competition was outstanding and the conditions – a fading southerly that saw many of the smaller boats in the fleet struggle to make the finish line – favoured Bella Mente. “We are honoured to have won such a prestigious trophy at the New York Yacht Club, and we would like to thank the Club and the race committee for a great day,” said Fauth.

Of the 15 boats competing in the Queen’s Cup, the TP/52 Vesper, skippered by David Team (Newport Beach, Calif.), and the Botin 52 Fox, skippered by Victor Wild (San Diego, Calif.) were Bella Mente’s closest competitors, taking second and third, respectively.

Those same boats were also Bella Mente’s fiercest rivals in ORC 1 class at Race Week, held from Wednesday, September 23 to Saturday, September 26. Bella Mente shared top-three standings with them in all but two of the seven races completed on windward-leeward courses ranging from 5-23 nautical miles. In the end, however, Vesper and Fox, in that order, prevailed in overall scoring to take first and second place.

“The best way for us to get a good result against the two highly competitive 52s was for us to do what we could at the start of the race to make sure that they would fight it out amongst themselves,” said Sanderson.

“Unfortunately for Fox, that meant if they opened the door for us to tack on them a couple of times and get them behind the lower rated Vesper, we would do that. Since the corrected times for our three boats were so close, we needed every second!”

With a total of five practice days and five racing days, the net gain for Bella Mente Racing was quality time on the water, in a variety of conditions, for testing a new keel and bulb and other modifications recently made to Bella Mente, which was designed by Botin Partners and built at New England Boatworks.

The team also got to reconnect personally and rejuvenate its cohesive sailing skills after a months-long period of waiting for Covid-19 to lift its foggy veil enough to make it a reasonable decision to ship Bella Mente from Mallorca to Newport and fly in her 22 crew members from different parts of the country and the world.

Said Sanderson: “It was a lovely reminder, after this crazy year, of how much we love sailing Bella Mente with Hap. We will stay Newport-based for at least the next few months and see what the world will let us do! Fingers crossed that we’ll race again sooner than later.”

Image © ROLEX/Daniel Forster Photo

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Bella Mente among stars at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

• September 11, 2023

Again organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the latest Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup offered competitors “sun, big waves and big breeze”. Words: Quinag; Photos: Rolex

Since the early 1980s, maxi yacht owners and sailors have been drawn to the Costa Smeralda and specifically the annual Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Considered the perfect sailing package, the event unites first-class organization, a majestic sailing environment and the world’s leading maxi yachts and professional crews.

Rolex and event organiser the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) have enjoyed a close partnership for nearly 40 years. The longevity of this collaboration has been at the heart of the event’s continued success and evolution. Support for the organization of the week-long regatta is provided by the International Maxi Association (IMA).

The 2023 edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be considered a special vintage. Four days of racing offered the full repertoire of the Costa Smeralda sailing experience, from the strong breeze, big waves and robust sea state of the regatta’s initial exchanges to the light, unstable conditions which closed proceedings.

The Maddalena Archipelago’s myriad of race courses feature numerous narrow passages and rocky outcrops. On such testing fields of play, sailing powerful yachts at high speeds requires total synergy in teamwork and deft boat handling skills.

Sailors, drawn from the cream of professional sailing talent, were left enthralled by the week’s competition. Former Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Mike Sanderson, part of the afterguard on Bella Mente , was one such example.

“The location is so special,” Sanderson said. “Sun, big waves and big breeze. For so many teams this is the pinnacle event of their year. We have worked all year to develop the boat to be ready for this regatta.”

For Mitch Booth, two-time Olympic medallist, overall Rolex Middle Sea Race winning skipper in 2021 and tactician on Leopard 3 , the event is without equal: “Coming together in such an iconic place, it is a real season highlight and a clash of the titans, the best against the best in perfect sailing.”

Accolades went to the six class winners who showed great consistency and expertise in dealing both with the vagaries of the conditions but equally the formidable nature of the opposition. Proving triumphant were: Galateia (Maxi Class A), Bella Mente  (Class B), Spirit of Lorina (Class C), Y3K (Supermaxi), Svea (J Class) and Allegra (Maxi multihull).

Since its foundation, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been the showcase for the evolution in maxi yacht design and technology. The 48-strong fleet at this year’s 33rd edition was one of the most eclectic to date. From the largest entrant, Svea (43.6m/143ft), through to the smallest, Blue Oyster (18.3m/60ft), an eye-catching range of yachts were on display.

Innovations for the 2023 edition included the first ever appearance of the maxi multihulls. As YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck explains, this aligns with the event’s perennial commitment to be at the forefront of developments.

“Change is a constant in the world of yachting, and continuous evolution has been the key to the success of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, right from the first edition in 1980 up to the present day,” Illbruck said.

“The inclusion of multihulls fits perfectly with this perspective, a natural development of an event that has always been characterized by cutting-edge technology. Opening up to other categories allows owners to continue to pursue their passion and may inspire others to do so.”

The oldest competing yachts included the J Class Velsheda and the recently restored Baruna , both dating back to the 1930s. Thomas Bscher’s Baltic 68 Open Season proved a highlight among the newer launches and one which symbolises a movement within sailing design to consider even more closely the environmental impact across all aspects of boat building and performance.

Creating fair and exciting competition across such a diverse fleet requires significant race management organization, one the event has long been renowned for. The rating system and division of classes is constructed with this in mind and to provide owners and sailors with the platform to pursue their passion for the sport.

On the water, one of the closest divisions was the eight strong Maxi B group where American yachts Bella Mente and Proteus  broke away to contest the title.

Going into what proved to be the regatta’s final race, they were tied on points. Bella Mente finished first to cap an impressive week on the water which saw the stellar crew, predominantly together for the past decade, claim two bullets and three second places.

Delight for owner Hap Fauth: “We come every year and it is the pinnacle of our season. This is our fourth victory in 11 years and the hardest fought.”

Even closer was the Supermaxi competition. Only three points separated the top three yachts – Moat , Inoui and eventual winner Y3K , the recently launched Wally 101.

It marked a return to Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup success for owner Claus-Peter Offen: “I have been racing here for 25 years. For us it is the highlight of the regatta season. This is where we want to be thanks to the beauty of the area and of the yacht club.”

For the class winners, crowned at the final prizegiving, victory at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is reward for overcoming world-class competition, an intense and challenging racing programme and having prepared in peak form for the pinnacle event in the maxi yacht calendar. The overriding sentiment was an appreciation for an event which always delivers on excellence.

http://www.yccs.it

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Home  News  Bella Mente Quantum Racing, US Sailing Partner to Develop America’s Cup Team for NYYC and Promote Sailing in U.S.

Bella Mente Quantum Racing, US Sailing Partner to Develop America’s Cup Team for NYYC and Promote Sailing in U.S.

Focus on Reconnecting the America’s Cup to the U.S. Sailing Base and Developing High Caliber Competitive Sailing Talent

NEW YORK, N.Y. (February 2, 2018) – Bella Mente Quantum Racing Association (“BMQRA”) and US Sailing today announced a broad partnership in support of the New York Yacht Club’s challenge for the 36 th America’s Cup to further improve the quality of competitive sailing in the United States and reconnect the American sailing base with sailing’s premiere event.

Under the terms of the agreement, US Sailing and BMQRA, which is representing the New York Yacht Club in its quest to reclaim the America’s Cup, will work together to identify, train and coach high-caliber, up-and-coming athletes in US Sailing’s pool of Olympic and other competitive sailors. US Sailing’s expertise will help BMQRA reach and recruit athletes with the potential to compete at the America’s Cup level and establish a world-class team capable of winning the competition. In turn, BMQRA will work with US Sailing to help develop and train a larger pool of U.S. athletes in order to further raise the overall quality of American competitive sailing. Together, both organizations will work to reconnect the sailing base in the U.S. with the America’s Cup and expand US Sailing’s membership and reach.

Hap Fauth, Principal and CEO of BMQRA, said, “BMQRA is focused on rebuilding the once deep connection between the American sailing community and the America’s Cup, and reaching and developing a new generation of U.S. sailors. As one of sailing’s greatest challenges, the America’s Cup represents a unique opportunity for us to help spark the resurgence of competitive sailing in the U.S. and we are confident that, by partnering with US Sailing, we can succeed both in our challenge and in reconnecting with the grass roots. I, along with our other principals, am proud of the team we are assembling and excited for what this campaign can mean for the future of American sailing.”

Terry Hutchinson, BMQRA’s Executive Director and Skipper, added, “Since its inception, US Sailing has been the most important organization promoting sailing in our country. From its youth programs through its Olympic Development program, US Sailing has been instrumental in identifying and training some of the most talented sailors in America. This partnership connects BMQRA with the best amateur sailing athletes in our country and we are excited for the opportunity to work with US sailing, both to help raise more Americans to the top level of competitive sailing and further add exceptional talent to our process-focused, results-driven team.  There’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done, but we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Sailing, said, “The America’s Cup has always captured the attention of the American public and sailing community and we need to do more to keep them engaged.  With BMRQA’s focus on connecting with the grass roots, the 36 th edition represents an opportunity for us to re-energize the broad base of American sailing. We are excited to work with BMRQA as they assemble and develop a world-class team to bring the Cup back to its home.  We also look forward to their support of our mission to promote the sport of sailing throughout the U.S. Their active participation with us will be instrumental in our outreach to our members, yacht clubs and other sailing organizations as we reconnect these groups with the America’s Cup and work to increase the caliber of U.S. competitive sailing.”  

About BMQRA Formed in October 2017, Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club joined together to create BMQRA. BMQRA brings together two highly successful racing programs with one of the foremost yacht clubs in the nation, all with the shared vision of launching a campaign for the 36 th America’s Cup competition, reconnecting the American sailing base with sailing’s premier event and elevating the quality of competitive sailing in the United States. The syndicate intends to develop and support a team that will participate in the America’s Cup competition and the Challenger Selection Series competitions that lead up to it. BMQRA is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About the New York Yacht Club The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 when nine New York yachtsmen met aboard John Cox Stevens’ yacht and a year later its original clubhouse was built in Hoboken, New Jersey. The Club’s Annual Regatta was first run in 1845. The Club was the keeper of the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1983, and it organized the first transatlantic race in 1866. The Club maintains two exquisite clubhouses, on 44th Street in the heart of New York City, known for its Model Room and extensive nautical library, and Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., which annually hosts some of North America’s most prestigious sailing events, including the Annual Regatta, Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and the Queen’s Cup. www.nyyc.org

About US Sailing The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the National Governing Body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org .

Media Contacts

BMQRA 212-687-8080 / [email protected]

New York Yacht Club Stuart Streuli 401-608-1128 / [email protected]

US Sailing Jake Fish 401-342-7925 / [email protected]

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Electrostal History and Art Museum

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Electrostal History and Art Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Radiators fail once more: Moscow suburbs residents appeal to Putin

R esidents across the Moscow suburbs are besieged by a heating problem, for which they plead direct intervention from President Vladimir Putin. These individuals have yet to experience any semblance of home heating since winter started due to a dwindling supply of heating oil. The issue, one largely avoided by local authority communication, has left residents desperate to the point of directly appealing to the president.

While plots have been uncovered to disrupt Ukraine's infrastructure for a second consecutive winter, thus depriving civilians of heating, it seems Russians are now mired in their crisis. Irony drips from the fact that those under Putin's leadership are looking to cause turmoil in Ukraine, yet at home, they face a similar predicament.

Many dwellings within the Moscow agglomeration are presently without heat. The capital's residents are desperate, directly appealing to President Putin due to a perceived lack of alternate avenues for assistance. The absence of suitable heating functionality since winter commenced pushes them towards desperation with no relief in sight.

This seems improbable, but in Russia, it appears that anything can happen.

It remains uncertain if Vladimir Putin is actively addressing the heating crisis. Some experts suggest that Russia's heating oil reserves are depleting, which negatively affects residents' quality of life. Plagued by cold radiators and plummeting winter temperatures, these citizens have directly addressed their pleas to their head of state.

This heating crisis is happening in Elektrostal, a town approximately 71 miles from Moscow.

Ironically, Russia has constantly aimed to destroy the Ukrainian infrastructure since war broke out, deliberately trying to leave Ukrainians without heating during the harsh winters, aiming to break their strong will. It's an irony they now struggle with a domestic heating crisis, particularly near Moscow, their largest and most pivotal city.

Desperate individuals are reaching out to Vladimir Putin. They question his knowledge of the heating infrastructure conditions in the Moscow suburbs and the dire situations residents face there. Sundown brings no relief from the harsh Russian winter and without heating, their houses turn cold. With elections nearing, more and more residents find themselves reaching out directly to their president.

"Since winter's start, we've been without heating. This has been a yearly occurrence for the past three years. Despite paying for heating, we don't have enough. We implore you, help us!" - these are the desperate pleas from the heavily dressed populace dealing with the Russian winter conditions.

Experts attribute the heating oil shortage to international sanctions and surging demands for diesel fuel, pivotal to military operations. Russia now grapples with a dearth of raw materials essential for boiler and heating plant operation. As supplies dwindle, houses grow cold with little hope of any immediate corrective intervention.

It would be adequate if the war ceased, residents were prioritized, and attention accorded to their welfare.

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Bella Mente Racing

Old Crew Bios

Owner and Helmsman Minneapolis, Minnesota/Naples, Florida

Hap has been building “Bella Mente Racing” since 2005 when he purchased the first of the three  racing yachts that have been part of the program. With his team, Hap has raced throughout the U.S. and all around Europe.   When he is not competing on the water, Fauth runs a number of businesses that span many industries – from agriculture to aerospace – and brings many of the same principles and tactics that he uses in the boardroom to the development of his sailing campaign.

Thomas Allin

 trimmer newport, rhode island/la rochelle, france.

Thomas is going into his sixth season with Bella Mente Racing in 2013 and works with both the sailing team and the onshore crew. His major sailing accomplishments include sailing onboard the winning yacht in the Transpac 2011 and winning multiple regattas in the Melges 24 class, including the Melges 24 World Championship in 2004.

James “Skip” Baxter

Trimmer auckland, new zealand.

The 2015 campaign marks Skip’s first season as part of Bella Mente Racing. Aside from sailing since he was eight, Skip has made a career out of racing professionally, and some of his major accolades include winning ten world championships in a number of different classes.

 Mate Northeast Harbor, Maine

Ryan joined the program in November 2010 and his main focus is getting Bella Mente ready to race. He grew up in Maine and has been sailing for as long as he can remember. Ryan marks one of his biggest accomplishments to be winning the Hayward Cup, one of the oldest sailing trophies at the Northeast Harbor Fleet.

Michele “Mickey” Cannoni

Bowman genoa, italy.

This will be Cannoni’s fifth season as Bella Mente Racing’s mid-bow. His sailing background includes working as mid-bow for Lunna Rossa at the 32nd America’s Cup where the team made it into the Luis Vuitton Cup finals. Cannoni also played an integral role on winning yachts in three Rolex Maxi World Championships, three Rolex Middle Sea Races and two IMS European Championships and one Transpac Race.

Sean “Doogie” Couvreux

Bowman white salmon, washington.

Doogie joined Bella Mente Racing in 2008 and has been on the winning yacht for two Transpacs (where the team also won the “Barn Door” trophy for first to finish).  He also has sailed two Louis Vuitton Pacific Series events and the Tour de France a la voile and has competed in two Olympic Trials regattas in the 49er class.

Ollie Dickens

Floater southampton, uk.

Ollie’s passion for sailing began at 13 when he started racing dinghies at his local sailing club. From there, he moved to big boat racing and started sailing with Bella Mente in 2011. The 2015 campaign will be especially exciting for Ollie, as the team will be spending a large portion of the year racing in his home waters of the Solent.

Christopher Deighan

Chef vail, colorado.

Christopher has been a private chef for Hap Fauth and Bella Mente Racing since 2006 and has supported the campaign’s dozens of regattas worldwide. He has been sailing since the age of 16 and has raced aboard  Bella Mente  in the 2006 Newport-Bermuda Race and the Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race.

Kyle Fitzgerald

Shore crew/boat builder san diego, california.

Kyle has been with Bella Mente Racing for two seasons wearing a number of hats, primarily as team boat builder. He has been part of the shore crew for over eight different campaigns, including Disney’s Morning Light , which was the basis for a film documentary about a group of young sailors preparing for and then racing in the Transpac.

Federico Giovanelli

Grinder tuscany, italy.

Frederico has been with Bella Mente Racing since 2009 and started sailing at age 26 when the Italian Syndicate Luna Rossa brought him on as grinder for the 2000 America’s Cup. Since then, he has raced with other America’s Cup syndicates and has also sailed for TP52 and Volvo Ocean Race inshore campaigns.

Peter “Pirate” Henderson

Boat captain/backstays newport, rhode island.

Pirate has been with Bella Mente Racing for six seasons and is in his third season as boat captain. Career highlights include winning the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship, the Transpac (including “Barn Door” trophy for best overall performance) and the Newport Bermuda Race (including the “Gibbs Hill Lighthouse” trophy for first overall). He also has been on the winning boat for the Swan 42 North American Championships and is a five-time Yngling North American Champion.

Terry Hutchinson

Tactician harwood, maryland.

Terry joined Bella Mente Racing in 2013. The four-time All American and two-time College Sailor of the Year has been involved with four America’s Cup campaigns. In 2008, after showcasing his talent as tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand, Terry was named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year for his successful transition to fleet racing. In that year, Terry held the title of Melges 24 North American Champion and took home victories in four major TP 52 regattas before winning the TP 52 World Championship. Outside of that, Terry has racked up many major regatta victories in a variety of classes, including  more World Championships and  North American Championships as well as National Championships and Match Racing Championships.

Coach Granville, Vermont

James started working with Bella Mente Racing for the 2015 campaign. He has been an avid sailor since childhood, sailing in Whitby (UK) with his dad. He has coached at the sport’s highest levels, including with the US Olympic Sailing Team in 2003 and 2007 and with GBR Challenge for the 2003 and 2007 America’s Cup. In 2009, James and his wife co-founded  the non-profit Rozalia Project with the goal to clean up and protect the world’s oceans.

Brian “Puck” MacInnes

Grinder ada, michigan.

Brian picked up his love of the water growing up in Nova Scotia where summer days were spent sailing with his father. Brian started sailing professionally as a teenager and traveled around the world to compete. He has been a member of two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns and is a two-time winner of the America’s Cup with Larry Ellison’s ORACLE Racing. In addition to having many other accomplishments in highly competitive maxi and one-design classes, Brian is also co-founder of Composite Builders and has joined Bella Mente Racing for its 2015 campaign.

Tom “Tomac” McLaughlin

Coach/support boat salt lake city, utah.

Tomac has been sailing since he was 12 years old, when he says he used the sport to “escape from his parents” and “find the freedom of the water.” He was a College All-American at San Diego State in 1968 and ‘69 and since ‘73 has held the role of tactician, watch captain, sail trimmer and coach for various sailing campaigns.

Grinder Auckland, New Zealand

Craig joins Bella Mente Racing fresh off the Artemis Racing team, which marked his fifth America’s Cup campaign. The two-time America’s Cup winner is also a double Olympian, and in 1992 took home the bronze medal in the Finn class. When he’s not racing himself, he is spending time with his family and teaching his eight-year-old son Finn how to sail.

Ian “Soapy” Moore

Navigator Cowes, Isle of Wight

Soapy was on his first boat at a mere six weeks old, and his life has unfolded into a storied sailing career that includes being navigator in the Volvo Ocean Race and as navigator and performance manager for America’s Cup Campaigns.

Robert Ouellette

Project manager/grinder marblehead, massachusetts/portsmouth, rhode island.

Rob was exposed to boating before he could walk and grew up sailing all over New England. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island where he was captain of his keelboat sailing team in 1998 and took first place at the Kennedy Cup and third place at the College Sailing World Cup. He has been part of Bella Mente Racing for eight seasons, sharing in the team’s many national and international triumphs.

Mike Sanderson

Offshore helmsman/crew boss auckland, new zealand.

Mike brings an enormous wealth of experience to Bella Mente. He is a two-time winner of the Volvo Ocean Race who has held numerous World Records. Mike has been involved in four America’s Cup campaigns and was ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 2007.

Pit San  Diego, California

Matt has been a professional sailor since 1993 and is joining Bella Mente Racing for his third season. He has been involved in numerous America’s Cup campaigns and has sailed for a number of different teams on a variety of circuits that have included one-design racing, match racing and TP 52 sailing.

BIOS COMING SOON FOR…

James dagg cyrille douillet keats keeley martin oliver adrien stead jim turner, about bella mente.

The original Bella Mente Racing campaign kicked off in 2006 with Key West Race Week, and since then owner and skipper Hap Fauth has had three additional racing yachts in the program.

Launched in September of 2018, the current Bella Mente is a Maxi 72 designed by Botin Partners in Spain and built by New England Boatworks in Rhode Island.

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