Earlier this week, in preparation for the Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta, five very brave crews took to raging seas for the coastal race forerunner. No race was held on the 16th October as the waves were blockading the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour. On the 17th the coastal race took place with winds gusting to 45 knots. The course was from the start line off the RMYC westwards along the northern coast of Malta around Comino, the small island that lies between the ‘mainland’ and Gozo, and then back to finish off the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

The legendary Brazilian Olympic sailor Torben Grael has joined the Ericsson Racing Team as skipper of the international entry in the two-boat campaign, replacing John Kostecki who quit in August. He talks about his new challenge from the Ericsson training base in Lanzarote. Listen: Volvo Sailing Podcast.

Brazilian sailing legend Torben Grael is the new skipper of Ericsson’s international crew in the next Volvo Ocean Race. With five Olympic medals, a third place in the latest Volvo Ocean Race and three America’s cup campaigns under his belt, 47 year-old Torben Grael is one of the world’s most respected sailors of today. Torben’s success on the water has made him one of the most well known and respected athletes in his home country as well as overseas.

’Durban 2010 and Beyond’ of South Africa has won the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 07-08 Race ending in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. At the end of this, Race 2, Durban 2010 gained the maximum ten points.The result has moved them to the top of the overall leader board from their fifth place position at the end of Race 1.

‘Glasgow: Scotland with style’ finished second a few hours later. Their overall total points of 13 makes them joint leaders with Durban: 2010 and Beyond.

As part of its Centenary year celebrations, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is launching the ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame.

Six inductees from across the world of sailing will enter the ISAF Sailing Hall of Fame in this inaugural year. They will be announced and awarded on Monday 5 November at a spectacular gala dinner at the Estoril Casino, Estoril, Portugal. The event is sponsored by Portugal Tourism, Estoril Tourism and Cascais Municipality.

British yachtswoman Dee Caffari received an MBE, presented by Prince Charles, at Buckingham Palace on the 25th October, 2007. Caffari, accompanied by her mother Barbara and sister Jane, took a break from preparations for her forthcoming transatlantic race to attend the ceremony.

Caffari was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list earlier this year in recognition of her services to sailing after her record-breaking round the world voyage last year. In May 2006, after 178 days at sea, Caffari became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world, against the prevailing winds and currents, and in doing so joined an elite group of just five sailors to ever achieve this feat.