Robbie Doyle
Robbie Doyle’s recent induction into the U.S. National Sailing Hall of Fame was a well-deserved honor. Highly respected throughout the yacht racing world, Doyle has made significant contributions to superyacht racing. In recent years he’s served in the afterguard on many competitive programs such as Axia, M5, Black Pearl and Perseus^3.
A lifetime of sailing achievements includes three-time college All American, Olympic Team alternate and America’s Cup winner on Courageous in 1977. The applied physics major from Harvard University founded Doyle Sails in 1982. His company has been a leader in the sail making industry for nearly three decades, servicing a full range of clients. Doyle Sails now boasts over 50 lofts around the world.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been central to Doyle’s superyacht sail design and development. “CFD is more accurate than towing tanks and wind tunnels,” he explained. “With this evolution, we can learn quickly what makes a boat sail faster. CFD has been a big help with our one-design sails as well.”
Robbie is an active member of the SYRA, serving on the Executive Committee since SYRA’s founding in 2011.
Barnaby Henshaw-Depledge
Plenty to smile about!
If you’ve competed in a recent superyacht regatta, chances are you’ve run across Barnaby (Barney) Henshaw-Depledge. The popular boat captain of the J Class Yacht Velsheda, shown here accepting the Supermaxi Class trophy from last month’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, has been busy. In 2018 Velsheda competed in the St Barths Bucket, Superyacht Cup Palma and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
2020 looks full on for Barney and the Velsheda team as well with J Class fleet racing on tap in Antigua and St Barths followed by a delivery to New Zealand.
Photograph by Carlo Borlenghi
Jonathan Kline recognized at SYRA Annual Meeting
At the SuperYacht Racing Association’s Annual General Meeting, held on 16 March 2016 at Salle de Théâtre, Gustavia St Barths, movers and shakers in the superyacht world participated in discussions and updates.
SYRA Executive Committee Co-Chair Kate Branagh awarded SYRA’s annual recognition trophy to Captain Jonathan Kline (a member of the SYRA Executive Committee and the Communications Officer on P2). He was presented with a beautiful, handcrafted Ship’s Bell Clock from Chelsea Clock for his many contributions to the advancement of safe racing. “Because of him, we are in a far better place than we were 18 months ago,” said Executive Director Peter Craig.
Bruno Finzi and the ORCsy Handicap Rule
ORC Chariman
The new superyacht handicapping rule (ORCsy) made its very successful debut in Spring 2015 in the Caribbean at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta and the St Barths Bucket. The SYRA fair sailing/handicapping initiative led to an effective collaboration between the SYRA and the Offshore Racing Council (ORC), culminating in the ORCsy. The Palma Superyacht Cup, Perini Navi Cup and Rolex Maxi Cup (supermaxis only) were the next regattas to feature this fully transparent rule. www.orc.org/superyacht
Levelling the Pitch (pdf) Superyacht Racing and the ORCsy Handicap Rule
by Andy Claughton
Jim Capron honored at Annual Meeting
An elegant, inscribed Chelsea Ship’s Bell clock was presented to Jim Capron at the 2015 SYRA Annual General Meeting in recognition of his critical role in getting expedited ISAF approval of the Appendix SY to the Racing Rules of Sailing and his ongoing contributions to safe racing.