Latest news with #catamaran
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Channel Seven star Denham Hitchcock reveals why he decided to live at sea with his young family - as he prepares to start new role at Ten
Former Channel Seven star Denham Hitchcock has revealed what inspired him to live at sea with his young family. The veteran reporter lived on a catamaran with his wife Mari and their young children before returning to Sydney earlier this year. He told this week's Stellar magazine how reporting on disasters and destruction and a health scare inspired him to set sail. 'I interviewed people most of the time in a terrible stage of their life, horrendous things have happened to them... And everybody says the same thing: 'I never thought it would happen to me',' he said. 'I realised there's really no good time to leave it behind and go and chase other dreams. So we should just do it and the rest will work itself out.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, s ubscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Denham also discussed the new current affairs program he is set to start co-hosting on Channel Ten. 'That's the great unknown. The journos, the network [are] fully behind it. No-one is half-hearted about this show,' he explained. 'And the platforms it will be on is also revolutionary in a way. [I'll be] let out of the gate. [I have] an absolute blockbuster. It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for.' Industry sources say the new program will focus on long-form investigative stories. A Ten spokesperson confirmed the shake-up to Daily Mail Australia recently, saying: 'Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in an investigative unit that will work on long-form stories.' Earlier this month, Denham officially jumped ship to Network Ten, becoming the third high-profile journalist to exit Seven in a major shake-up of Australia's media landscape. 'Well here we go. I've switched channels. But also in a way – I've come full circle,' Hitchcock began. 'I grew up watching my father on Channel Ten News every night. I had a bunk bed with Eyewitness News stickers all over it – and can still sing the theme song.' He added: 'So I'm delighted to start work here today – joining the network to help with its plans for the future.' He also shared a throwback photo of his father, veteran Ten journalist Kevin Hitchcock, sporting a classic 1980s moustache and captioned it with some amusing words: 'Not sure I could pull one of those off – but there's still time.' The move came just three months after returning to Seven following a break from TV journalism to live on a catamaran with his wife Mari and their young children. He had originally helped launch Spotlight in 2019 and led the network's coverage of major crime and current affairs stories, including last year's Who Killed Marea? documentary on Sky News.
Globe and Mail
23-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
MyBVICharter Launches New Expert-Guided Platform for Crewed BVI Catamaran Charter Bookings
New digital portal by DMA Yachting offers hands-on guidance, expert insights, and full access to crewed BVI catamaran charter options—helping travelers navigate every decision with confidence. MyBVICharter, operated by DMA Yachting, has launched a comprehensive bvi catamaran charter platform designed to demystify the charter process for travelers exploring the British Virgin Islands. The newly unveiled landing page functions as a decision-making guide, helping guests choose the right vessel, route, and season—backed by authentic content from seasoned sailors and former yacht crew. At a time when BVI yacht charters are surging, the new portal meets rising demand with clarity and trust. Rather than just showcasing boats, it educates users on how to compare options, understand full-service crewed experiences, and build the right itinerary from the start. 'Our goal is to give travelers more than a booking tool—we want to empower them with insider knowledge,' said Mo Pristas, Charter Guru at MyBVICharter. 'Every insight on our platform is written by actual sailors or former crew. This hands-on perspective is what sets us apart in the bvi yacht charter space.' From selecting the best time of year to sail to comparing top crewed catamarans in the BVI, the platform breaks down complex decisions into helpful, digestible guides. These include: • A detailed overview of catamarans available for crewed charter in the BVI. • Specialized content on BVI power catamaran charter options for those seeking added speed and comfort. • A carefully crafted 7-day BVI catamaran charter itinerary and a list of must-do yacht charter activities to help travelers envision the full island-hopping experience The initiative reflects MyBVICharter's reputation as a trusted source for Caribbean sailing knowledge. Unlike generic booking sites, the content prioritizes real-world insight, transparency, and curated recommendations—making the charter process accessible even for first-time guests. Key areas of focus across the platform include: • Understanding what's included in a crewed charter (meals, crew, activities) • Choosing the best season to sail based on weather and events • Comparing yachts based on layout, amenities, and guest compatibility • Building personalized itineraries using local knowledge By anchoring the user experience in education, MyBVICharter aims to raise the standard for digital yacht booking. 'Guests often don't know what questions to ask when looking at a bvi catamaran charter,' added Pristas. 'Our role is to make sure they feel informed, supported, and excited about their voyage—not overwhelmed.' To explore available vessels or begin planning a crewed charter experience, visitors can access the full platform at Media Contact Company Name: MyBVICharter operated by DMA Yachting Contact Person: Mo Pristas Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
New York Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
When SailGP came to New York City: Spectators, ‘storytelling' and star-studded investors
In New York City, there is never any shortage of sports and entertainment options. This weekend alone, the New York Yankees hosted the Boston Red Sox in front of a sellout crowd and more than 100,000 people attended the Governors Ball music festival. The battle for market share has rarely felt so fierce, yet a short ferry ride over the water to Governors Island and another live sports event was in demand: SailGP. Just under 10,000 people filled out a grandstand — at $85 (£63) per ticket for adults and $43 for kids — to watch a sport growing in appeal and increasingly marketed as the Formula One of the seas. Advertisement The product is increasingly straightforward: 12 nations compete in 12 destinations for $12.8 million worth of prize money across the season. They race in identical hydrofoil catamaran boats, which can go at speeds of over 60 miles per hour. During this weekend's event, racers navigated rainy conditions and choppy waters on the Hudson River, with the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty painting a picture-perfect backdrop. Spain took their second consecutive event win in the difficult conditions. After finishing the Fleet Races in third with 38 points, Los Gallos held off New Zealand and France to take home the victory in the three-boat final. 'Sailing used to be white triangles on a blue background way out at sea,' says Andy Thompson, SailGP's managing director. 'But that is very far from what SailGP is today. It's a racing property.' The past fortnight has offered further evidence that SailGP is captivating investors. First, the Italian team was acquired by the women-led investment firm Muse Capital at a valuation of $45 million in a consortium that includes the Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway. This represented considerable growth for teams that were selling for between $5m-10m only two years ago. The former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry has previously led a group which acquired the U.S. team for $35 million. In March, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe bought into the France SailGP team. If we needed any more evidence that Sail GP is the en-vogue sporting investment, this came last week when Ryan Reynolds added to his growing sporting portfolio by teaming up with Hugh Jackman — yes, that's Deadpool and Wolverine — as the pair became controlling owners of the Australian SailGP team. The Aussies, who have now rebranded as the Bonds Flying Roos — yes, that's Bonds underwear as the title sponsor — won the first three Sail GP championships and were runners-up last season. Advertisement Their star sailor Tom Slingsby, an Olympic gold medallist and CEO of the Aussie SailGP team, says he became aware of visits to SailGP events by Reynolds' team at Maximum Effort, the production company and marketing agency founded by the actor ('maximum effort' being the catchphrase of Reynolds' movie Deadpool). Tentative discussions have already started about a possible docuseries, following on from Reynolds' investment in Welsh soccer club Wrexham and Colombian soccer team La Equidad. 'They bring star power,' Slingsby tells The Athletic. 'To have Deadpool and Wolverine, they're the 'it' people right now. They also bring an element of storytelling. We're seeing what Ryan's done with Wrexham. They're just going to be fun owners. Having chatted with Ryan, he is incredibly funny and he's going to fit really well with our team. 'Importantly, every discussion with them is, 'What do you guys need to do to be successful?'. Obviously there's talk of ways to promote our team in the league, but it all comes second to us being successful on the water. I was obviously pretty strong on us being athletes first, and if we can be entertaining for the public as well, that's great, but we want to win on the water.' The U.S. team's ownership group is similarly stacked with big-time investors and star names. Mike Buckley, the CEO and on-boat strategist for the U.S. team, says: 'We wanted the most diverse ownership group that we could possibly find. We want people who don't think like us and have different areas of expertise. 'I can pick up the phone and call Marc Lasry, who runs one of the most successful private equity firms in the world (Avenue Capital). He won the NBA championship and took the Bucks from the back to the front and the valuation from a few hundred million to three or four billion.' The U.S. ownership also features founding Uber engineer Ryan Mckillen and his wife Margaret, the Resy co-founder Gary Vaynerchuk, Hollywood actress Issa Rae, the NFL's DeAndre Hopkins and boxer Deontay Wilder. For sailors, SailGP provides game-changing security by providing year-round events beyond the America's Cup and Olympic Games. Advertisement 'Sailing used to jump on the radar every four years and then it just disappeared off the mainstream public's vision,' says Slingsby. 'After an Olympics, when you finish your event, you'd just be sitting there and there's no funding, you're out of a job for a while and you're waiting for the phone to ring. 'When I've been between Olympics, I've had other jobs — bartending and boat building, all sorts of things. You're doing anything you can to keep the money coming in. 'In 10 years, we'll definitely be seeing SailGP still here and racing in consistent events. It's going to be the backbone of sailing. It's five years old now, a lot of people were saying that it would be around for a year or two and disappear.' Founded by the billionaire Larry Ellison, the co-founder of tech firm Oracle, SailGP is discovering traction in what their executives describe as the crossover market between lifestyle and experiential sports. Slingsby notes there are markets such as New Zealand where the fandom is more intense, and athletes are approached at hotels and when out for dinner. SailGP's executive Thompson says the event's ratings 'regularly average around 20 million dedicated viewers around the world.' In the U.S., CBS and its Paramount+ streaming platform broadcast the event. Their highest-rated events — which bring in around 1.8 million viewers — have been intentionally scheduled to follow NFL games in order to capture audiences from America's most popular sport. SailGP's chief revenue officer Ben Johnson bristles at any suggestion sailing is a 'niche' sport, but the locations of some races — St. Tropez in France, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the Middle East, or Manhattan — do lend themselves to an exclusive in-person audience. The aim is a vast broadcast audience and a hot-ticket live event. Johnson says they are taking learnings from events such as the Kentucky Derby, or the Indy 500, as well as F1, and 'leagues who are moving from traditional sports operators to more sports entertainment and even just broadly entertainment properties.' By attracting celebrity investors (or employing DJ Khaled as the league's 'Chief Hype Officer'), SailGP want to make their events, much like F1, a place to see and be seen. Advertisement Johnson says: 'It is very intentional. There are brands like (European soccer champions) Paris Saint-Germain, where they are more of a lifestyle brand than they are a traditional sports team. They are a perfect example of where we see the opportunity in the global sports space. 'We don't need to be a season-ticketed event. We don't need local media rights to validate our audience growth or our revenue model. We think the demand right now from an experiential standpoint is the highest it's ever been and will continue to grow. So we're focused on new fanbases and inspiring the next generation of lifestyle sports fans. 'People (are) looking for social, communal, family-friendly, brand safe moments where they can bring people together. And I think we're the perfect backdrop for that. It's new, it's novel, fast, you know, all the things that you need to really capture people's attention.' Sponsors are certainly discovering the appeal. SailGP's title sponsor is Rolex, but across the league and teams there are now investments or partnerships from sovereign wealth funds, such as Mubadala Capital (of Abu Dhabi), as well as Emirates airline sponsoring the league and Red Bull partnering with the Italian team, while the U.S. team have sponsorships with Tommy Hilfiger, Amazon, and T-Mobile. The British team is title-sponsored by Emirates and has a partnership with JP Morgan, while Deutsche Bank sponsors the German side. 'I would expect next year you (will) see all the teams somewhere close to commercial profitability,' says Buckley. When asked about profitability, Johnson said SailGP does not disclose its financials, but it is 'ahead of our own internal targets.' The growing investment in the sport is also accompanied by increased jeopardy. Only Spain have won more than one event this season, which may be one of the advantages of sailors racing on identical boats — meaning winning and losing come down to conditions on the day and the performances and skill of those on board. That is not to say there have not been challenges. May's SailGP event was supposed to be held in Rio de Janeiro for the first time but it was cancelled after a defect was found in some of the fleet's wingsails. Australia's wingsail collapsed in San Francisco in a moment Slingsby called a 'scary situation.' The 12 boats were all back on the start line in New York. With 12 teams and money swishing around the sport, talk invariably turns to expansion. Russell Coutts, SailGP CEO and an Olympic gold medallist with New Zealand, has previously spoken about expanding the number of events per season to as high as 20 or 24. Plenty of nations remain untapped, notably Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which has poured money into sports elsewhere. Advertisement 'I think the demand right now exceeds 12 teams,' Johnson says. 'We have an opportunity for us to announce expansion teams, continue to look at markets that we think are really additive.' Buckley says 'balance' is key, concluding: 'There are plenty of countries out there that aren't represented currently in the league. It would be great for all of us.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line celebrated for heroic rescue
Carnival Cruise Line celebrated for heroic rescue originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Just a week after Carnival Paradise rescued a group of refugees from an adrift vessel near Cuba, another Carnival Cruise Line ship's crew sprang into action to make a dramatic rescue on the other side of the world. Carnival Splendor was sailing south of New Caledonia in the South Pacific during an eight-day cruise from Sydney when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Noumea alerted them of a distress call from a disabled catamaran carrying four people and three Splendor was five hours away from the catamaran and immediately rushed to their aid in the middle of the night, as cruise ships will always do when they learn of anyone in peril at sea. One of the rescued couples, who feared for their lives while stranded on board the disabled catamaran, have since recounted the frightening ordeal and the cruise ship's extraordinary response, in a touching letter addressed to the entire Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald shared the letter from rescued sailors Juli and Ivan on his popular Facebook page that's followed by more than 600,000 Carnival cruisers. 'To all the Carnival crew, we are Juli and Ivan, two Argentinians 25 years old, traveling around the world for one year. We got the opportunity of crossing from Australia to Fiji in a catamaran, a bit more than a month ago, and from what you all know, it didn't end as expected,' the letter began. The sailors detailed how they ended up adrift at sea hundreds of miles from land.'After 8 days of crossing the ocean and having lost both engines, we were caught in a storm, which first made us think we were going to get hit by lightning and ended up breaking our mast in two after 50 knots of wind surprised us. 200 nautical miles away from New Caledonia, and this being our first passage, we were frightened to death,' they explained. The sailors reported contacting every coast station they could, but did not receive a reply for hours until the voice of Carnival Splendor Captain Eduardo Ferrone brought them hope. 'After two hours with no news, we received a call from your captain, saying he knew about our situation and that by doubling their speed in the middle of the storm, could reach us in just five hours. That was and will [for]ever be the best notice of our lives,' the letter emphasized.'After 5 hours, hoping the catamaran didn't sink because of the mast hitting us on every wave, we received the second-best call of our lives, from your captain asking us to drop the first flare, and straight away confirming he could see us,' the letter continued. Finally, Carnival Splendor reached them at 3 a.m., swiftly bringing them aboard the cruise ship and saving their lives. But what Carnival crew members did for them did not end there. 'What followed was just beyond reality,' the letter continued. 'This boat and its crew not only saved us but gave us all kindness, warmth, smiles, and attention which made recovering a completely different experience and a much easier one. There are no words to thank you all for being part of this recovery and exceeding expectations. Human values on board showed us better, and for that, we will be forever thankful.' More Carnival cruise news:The letter ended with heartfelt words of gratitude to Carnival Splendor's captain and several other crew members whom Juli and Ivan thanked by name. 'Special thanks to the Captain, Eduardo Ferrone, for being our guiding light in the middle of the ocean, giving us hope by making the call to save us and taking us back to land,' the emotional letter read. The rescued sailors went on to thank many other crew members who not only made sure they were safe, but who received them with exceptional kindness and concern for their health, well-being, and happiness. 'To all of you, thanks for the warm words and treatment, this would have been a different story if it wasn't for you," they added. "We will forever be grateful to Carnival Cruise Line.' (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
France shows up the UK's utter spinelessness
Britain can learn from the zeal of the French coastal authorities detaining a British catamaran fishing for whelks in its waters without a licence. It is not simply that the detention came hours after Sir Keir Starmer, in an act of abasement towards the European Union, had allowed their fishing fleets access to our waters until 2038. It is that the French still could not summon up any leniency towards us. Nor is it that the French find it far easier to detain a trawler than to stop endless rubber dinghies, filled with the victims of people smugglers, to leave their waters and head for the English coast. No: it is that the French take the business of being French exceptionally seriously. They still have, like General de Gaulle, 'une certaine idée de la France' – a certain idea of France. It is a France with a specific culture, way of life, and rights for its citizens: and the job of French officials is to enforce laws that protect these things. To the British this now seems astonishing: for one of the main motivations Sir Keir and his colleagues seem to show in governing us is a profound disregard for, and sense of embarrassment about, anything that smacks of British rights, customs, values or traditions. I am not condoning the breach of the law that the captain of the catamaran has allegedly committed in harvesting whelks. Had it happened in reverse, with a French trawler (before Sir Keir's capitulation) being found pursuing crustaceans improperly in our waters, we can imagine the most likely outcome would have been a British coastguard vessel (if one could be found) heaving into view of the offending craft, with an official asking it politely through a megaphone to clear off. The lightness of touch of how we do things is something many find commendable and, in matters of whelk fishing, perhaps we would not want to make a spectacle of ourselves by overdoing it. The trouble is that in so much else we simply seem not to care, and operate an approach towards enforcing our borders, our customs and our rights that is not so much permissive as downright decadent. Take another example. In recent days the French government has been asked to consider a report into the Muslim Brotherhood which it alleged, in Emmanuel Macron's words, was practising 'entryism' into French institutions, seeking to Islamify schools, local government and other French institutions from the bottom upwards. Macron, fearing the rise of Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National, has urged a forceful response to these claims. The far Left, predictably, has accused him and his interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, of Islamophobia. They, and most of the rest of France, have simply ignored the insult. The very idea that France and Frenchness are under assault has united most of the people behind the so-called 'Islamophobes'. Any British politician who spoke of an attempt by Islamic activists to impose their culture on ours would be condemned as a racist and kicked out of public life, irrespective of whether the assertion was true or not. This is, after all, now a country where an old lady is warned over a preposterous 'non-crime hate incident' for putting a picture of Enoch Powell in the window of her shop. It is right for us to feel anger with the French for their treatment of our trawlermen; but it would also be right for us to look at a country that unrelentingly stands up for itself and its people, and wonder whether it is not time that we did the same. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
