Adventures, boats, tricks: it’s SAIL of December/January!

Why get on board with us for the December/January issue of the Sailing Newspaper? For many good reasons. Read on, we already unveil ten of them as a preview, telling you the story of a legendary navigator like Ernest Shackleton, announcing the 60 “queen” boat models of 2014, going to twist the knife in the wound of New Zealanders after the scalding defeat suffered in the last America’s Cup…

FIRST REASON: SHACKLETON, THE RELENTLESS

Three times, in vain, he challenged the South Pole. His ship was crushed by ice. He never gave up: sailing eight hundred miles on a 7-meter lifeboat in Antarctica, he rescued all 27 members of his crew. Find out with us who the greatest explorer of all time is.

SECOND REASON: THE 60 “QUEENS” OF 2014

From six to twenty meters, what are the boats named as “best of the year” in rankings compiled by leading American and European magazines. French shipyards dominate, but Italy is not standing idly by this year either, with as many as four boats in the nominations.

THIRD REASON: FOUR ORDINARY SAILORS AGAINST THE GALE

We tell you about the crossing of four “ordinary” sailors who found themselves facing, aboard an Oceanis 411, winds in excess of 35 knots on the 500-mile route from Trapani to La Spezia.

FOURTH REASON: THE BACKSTAGE OF THE DEFEAT OF THE KIWIS.

From euphoria to disappointment. Exclusively, we followed Matteo De Nora, the president of Team New Zealand, through the key days of the last America’s Cup. A Cup that seemed already in the hands of the Kiwis but instead Oracle snatched it from them with an incredible comeback.

FIFTH REASON: ALL THE SECRETS OF TEXTILES

A new trend coming from the racing world is gradually conquering the cruising universe as well. Textile fibers are replacing steel in shrouds, shrouds, shackles, carabiners, dredges and more. And you start talking about revolution.

SIXTH REASON: THE NEW ICE 62

Marc Pajot is a holy monster of world sailing, between ocean victories and Olympic medals. He is the one who leads us to discover the new Ice 62.

SEVENTH REASON: LAGOON 39, THE EASY CATAMARAN

A revolution in just eleven meters: the French shipyard moved the mast aft and opted for the self-tacking jib to facilitate maneuvering even with a small crew.

EIGHTH REASON: THE ACCESSORIES OF THOSE WHO CROSS THE OCEAN.

Who better than participants in an ocean race such as the ARC to give their verdict on the watermakers and generators installed on board, after 2,700 miles of crossing? We reveal their opinions.

NINTH REASON: YOUR BOARD TRICKS

Italy is a country of saints, poets, navigators and … do-it-yourself geniuses! We asked you to send us your “crafty” works on board and received so many emails full of really original ideas. Here is the best of the month!

TENTH REASON: WE LEARN WITH SUSANNE BEYER

Together with the great yachtswoman, in the third DVD in the “Boating with Susanne Beyer” series, you will learn all the tricks of offshore sailing: coping with bad weather and steering in strong winds, using navigation electronics and the life raft well. You will also find advice from ocean sailors on safe cruising.

Remember, there are also many other good reasons not to miss the new DECEMBER/JANUARY issue of the Journal of Sailing. On newsstands, on iPads, iPhones, and on all Android tablets and smartphones