Video Series: The 5 Minute Warning

In the 5 Minute Warning video series, the sharp end of the sailing world gets reviewed by PlanetSail’s Matt Sheahan and Sailjuice’s Andy Rice. Here is the episode description:

As Matt stands next to a fancy boat by the Hamble River, Andy has brief boat envy but is more pre-occupied with his upcoming trip to Yorkshire and a potential capsize-a-thon at the Musto Skiff National Championship. And while the 5 Minute Warning tends to focus on the top end of the grand prix scene, this week Matt and Andy give a shout-out to the dedicated weekend warriors.

There’s an armada of assorted boats gathering in the Solent for this Saturday’s Round The Island Race. The J/70 Corinthian World Championships have just concluded in Denmark with 109 teams taking part, and there are more than 300 sailors competing at the Finn Masters Worlds in Italy.

But of course, Matt and Andy can’t stay away from the pro scene for too long, and the results of the New York Vendée throw up some interesting thoughts about who will start as favorites this winter for the big one, the solo non-stop around the world adventure, the Vendée Globe.

Do you go for a lightweight and nimble IMOCA knowing you might have to back off through the nastier conditions? Or do you go for a ‘belt and braces’ boat that will carry you through the storms but might be a little on the lardy side for the softer breezes? It’s the perennial conundrum for all offshore sailors and designers…