Hobart half century - James Boyd was in Australia for the 50th Sydney-Hobart, Bob Ross looks back at the history of this notoriously tough race and Sir Edward Heath recalls 1969 when Morning Cloud-won the event
Shattered hopes - Isabelle Autissier's dramatic rescue put paid to her chances in the BOC Challenge: Van den Heede had a close shave when he hit the beach and James Boyd reports on tailenders struggling into Sydney
Court Circular - There may have been only a handful of new yachts at this year's London Boat Show, but more interesting were builders' future plans
What'snew at Earls Court - Gear and equipment spotted by our team at the Show
Summer days in Denmark - In delightful weather last summer, Peter Cumberlidge and his wife Jane cruised the sheltered waters to the east of Jutland
Heavyweight champions? - Is the current generation of America's Cup designs just as slow and ponderous as the much criticised 'lead-mines' of the past? Andrew Preece takes a closer look at the latest crop of new boats
Taking sides - Husband and wife Bruce and Annie Nelson find themselves in opposing Defender camps in the America's Cup. Andrew Preece reports
On course: Strait of Gibraltar - Wind and tide pilots for one of the most notorious gateways of all, from the wide Atlantic to the cul-de-sac of the Mediterreanen
Reefing revolution - Although in-mast reefing has transformed sail handling on superyachts, :t has created a new problem, weight aloft. David Glenn looks at the solution being sought by several spar makers - in-boom reefing

From the Editor
On the Wind
Letters
Cruising Log
Dogwatch
Racing Round-up Nixon at large
Voyaging
Leading Edge
Classified ads
Casting off

BOATS & EQUIPMENT:

New yachts at London - Bowman 45, Gib'Sea 414, Melges 30, Sigma 8m and news from British and overseas builders
What's New at London - Windvane steering gears, Admiralty chart service, Spinlock clutches, a head-up display. Plus Basil D'Oliveira's choice of the latest electronics on show
On test: Freebird 50 - A new lease of life for this sporty and spacious catamaran
Superyachting - Gerry Dijkstra's classic wooden 71-footer Sensation, a high speed motor yacht from Holland and chartering according to Camper & Nicholsons

COVER PICTURE - Dreams of a Tall Ship and a star to steer her by . . . Antigua Classic -1994 Photograph by Gary-John Norman