tilting at windmills yacht

The meaning and origin of the expression: Tilting at windmills

Tilting at windmills

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What's the meaning of the phrase 'Tilting at windmills'?

To 'tilt at windmills' is to attack imaginary enemies.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Tilting at windmills'?

Tilting is jousting. The expression 'tilting at windmills' derives from Cervantes' Don Quixote - first published in 1604, under the title The Ingenious Knight of La Mancha .

who propose to fight injustice through chivalry. It is considered one of the major literary masterpieces and remains a best seller in numerous translations.

In the book, which also gives us the adjective quixotic (striving for visionary ideals), the eponymous hero imagines himself to be fighting giants when he attacks windmills.

Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, "Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless." "What giants?" asked Sancho Panza. "Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length." "Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone."

Apart from in medieval re-enactments, we don't tilt in the sense of joust, any longer. These days 'tilting at windmills' refers to attacks of a less militaristic nature.

The first figurative references to tilting at windmills, that is one where no jousting took place, came in the 17th century. John Cleveland published The character of a London diurnall in 1644 (a diurnall was, as you might expect, part-way between a diary or journal):

"The Quixotes of this Age fight with the Wind-mills of their owne Heads."

The full form of the phrase isn't used until towards the end of the 19th century; for example, in The New York Times , April 1870:

"They [Western Republicans] have not thus far had sufficient of an organization behind them to make their opposition to the Committee's bill anything more than tilting at windmills."

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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• 31 Dec, 2023 05:30:00 PM

Vanessa Dudley completes her 25th Rolex Sydney Hobart

When the modified Joubert 42, Tilting at Windmills, docked in Hobart this afternoon, crew member Vanessa Dudley became just the third woman to achieve the milestone 25 Sydney Hobarts in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s race.

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AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 9

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 8

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Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!

Vanessa Dudley celebrating her 25th Rolex Sydney Hobart at the 2023 Prizegiving Ceremony with her medallion | Credit: CYCA/Ashley Dart Photo

Vanessa Dudley completes her 25th race

When the modified Joubert 42, Tilting at Windmills, docked in Hobart sunday afternoon, crew member Vanessa Dudley became just the third woman to achieve the milestone 25 Sydney Hobarts in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s race.

The respected sailor would have got there sooner, but COVID stopped her in 2020 and then a sailing injury weeks before the race ended her chances in 2021.

In 2022, Dudley sailed her 24 th  on King Billy and was asked to sail on Tilting at Windmills for the 78 th  running of the race, so was able to put her 25 th  to bed. And what a way to do it, in one of the toughest races in a long time.

“I never planned to do 25, it just happened that way,” she said after docking in Hobart.

On her 25 th , Dudley, known as ‘Duds’ to friends, said from the race course earlier today: “We’re under kite matching racing the blue boat (Ian Johnston’s Zephyr Insurance Masters). They’re only 20 metres away and have been with us since the top of Tassie.

“We got to 40 knots in Bass Strait, but we’re on a very strong boat. It’s really seaworthy and well mannered.

“It’s been memorable, yeah – beating, beating. Every time you turned a corner, it was more beating. I’ve only done one slower race, when we got here on New Year’s Day on All That Jazz,” Dudley said of the 1993 race, one of the worst on record and some claim THE worst on record.

“It’s been bash, bash, bash, but we weren’t alone, we’ve had competition around us all the time,” she said.

Dudley, who is predominantly a helmswoman, did her first Hobart on Bill Gilbert’s brand new Farr 37, Southern Cross, in 1984.

“There’s been so many highlights, but the standout was my first with Bill Gilbert. For getting the opportunity at a time when there weren’t that many women doing the race.

“It was a really rough one, one of the worst races. We suffered damage and had to withdraw, but the crew was so calm and experienced and their attitude was good. So I knew from the start what the race could be like. After that, it comes as a pleasant surprise when it’s nice.”

The 1984 race, again, one of the worst on record. “Coming second in 2018 was a highlight,” she said of sailing with Stacey Jackson’s all-female crew aboard Wild Oats X. They finished little more than 13 minutes in arrears of Alive (winner that year and again this year). Both boats were Reichel/Pugh 66s and the two engaged in an epic race-long fight.  

“Four years with Bill Wild on Wedgetail was fantastic. Sailing with Syd (Fischer) for the first time on his TP52 Ragamuffin in 2011 and coming third overall – and then sailing on his 100 footer for the next four races were all special.

“I never imagined I’d get to sail on boats like that,” the Sydney sailor said.

“All the owners that make it possible for us to race, all the sailors I’ve sailed with and the sailing community as a whole make this such a great sport.”

This year, Duds came to the race fresh from placing second overall at the ILCA 6 (ex-Laser Radial) Great Grand Master European Championships in Brittany, France. She led till the last day and finished one point behind the winner and won the Women’s division by a massive 71 points.

Dudley was an adept Moth sailor, the first woman skipper of an 18 foot skiff. Like her good friend Adrienne Cahalan, she remains one of the humblest sailors you could meet.

Di Pearson/RSHYR Media

Internationally, the race will be available through YouTube on  CYCATV  or on Facebook  Rolex Sydney Hobart page .  For the full list of entries and more information about the race, visit  rolexsydneyhobart.com .

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Tilting at Windmills

Tilting at Windmills is a composite timber yacht designed by Joubert, built in 1994 by Norman Wright and Sons.

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Cruising '24: Tilting at Windmills

Published 19:30 on 17 Mar 2024

What a spectacular day at sea.

We were kissed by the sun and blessed by a calm sea.,

We met up at The Clubhouse at BMYC, and after the necessary coffee, we set the sails for the Windmills. We had a fantastic turnout, lots of fun cruising around, taking pics and videos,...

Big thanks to Tim Hill for the drone footage.

Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

To be represented by Premium Yachts, Ferretti Yachts and Riva , two prestigious brands of the Ferretti Group, will be present at the Moscow International Boat Show 2013, displaying motor yacht Ferretti 530 as well as Riva Iseo yacht tender.

Luxury motor yacht Ferretti 530

Luxury yacht Ferretti 530 was very keen to undertake in collaboration once again with AYT – Advanced Yacht Technology, Ferretti Group Engineering Division and Studio Zuccon International Project . The compact dimensions, 16 meters long and almost 5 meters wide, allow the 530 yacht to deliver grand Italian luxury and cruising immersed in such comfort until now unheard of in a yacht of this size.

Ferretti 530 yacht boasts three revolutionary innovations: the full beam master cabin with chaise longue and two large open view windows that make it a real suite at sea level bathed in light, tones and the natural essences of teak. Moving the galley from the center to the aft section creates a unique open space that includes the saloon, galley, cocktail bar and the dining area, the cockpit area continues thanks to the tilting window. The roll bar free sky lounge and the spoiler allow the 530 a sporty appearance combined with elegantly formal lines.

Ferretti 530 Yacht - Interior

Riva , the iconic Ferretti Group brand, presented a new model at the historical Lake d’Iseo shipyards in July 2011. Featuring elegance and ease of transportation as its distinctive characteristics, Iseo superyacht tender , a 27 foot runabout, is destined to become a must-have for those who love cruising on both lakes and the sea, and, most importantly, design enthusiasts. It is also perfect for anyone wishing to enhance their yacht with an exclusive tender that will never go unnoticed.

Riva Iseo superyacht tender

Due to its ease of manoeuvrability and size, Iseo yacht tender is also ideal as a tender for large yachts. Innovative and elegant, it can also guarantee comfort in bad weather conditions. Besides the electrohydraulic bimini top, it was also designed with a waterproof, automobile-style soft top which protects those on board against water and the wind during cruising.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013".

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Luxury rules at the moscow yacht show.

by Maria Sapozhnikova

The windy Russian autumn weather might be a little bit tricky for sailing, but it doesn’t stop brave yachtsmen from all over the world from flocking to Russian capital in the beginning of September when the Moscow Yacht Show commences. The main Russian Yacht exhibition gathers professional and amateur yacht lovers together under the wing of The Royal Yacht Club.

This year it took place for a fourth time already. The exhibition is considered the principal event on the sporting and social calendar. The Moscow Yacht Show 2010 united in one area three of the largest Russian yachts distributors: Ultramarine, Nordmarine and Premium Yachts.

A wide range of yachts were on display for a week. An exhibition showcased yachts both from Russian manufacturers and world famous brands: Azimut, Princess, Ferretti, Pershing, Riviera, Doral, Linssen, etc.

It was a real feast for seafarers as visitors of the show had a unique chance not only to take a look at the newest superyachts before they hit the market, but also to evaluate their driving advantages during the test drive. The show provided an excellent opportunity for yacht enthusiasts to choose and buy a new boat for the next season.

The event started with the grandiose gala evening. It included grand dinner, the concert and professional awards ceremony for achievements in Russian yachting industry. The guests also enjoyed the annual regatta.

Special guest Paolo Vitelli, Azimut Benetti Group president, opened the evening.

Next year organizers assured guests they would bring more yachts, the scale of which will even make oligarch Roman Abramovich envious. Sounds very promising indeed.

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Old Windmills in a Row

View of the 18th century windmills on the grounds of the Suzdal’s Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life that were moved to the museum from the village of Moshok, Sudogda district of Vladimir region in 1960s.

This type mills – with “an octagon put on a quadrangle” wooden framework – was predominant in the Vladimir province from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. The upper part of the windmill together with the sails were turned to the wind with the help of the three long levers called “mill handles” pulled by power of horses.

See more photos of mills: Amazing Winter Sunset Behind Trees at the Tent-Roof Windmill .

Photo #158 taken on August 12, 2016 during one day long disctance tour to Suzdal and Vladimir with my dear client from New Zealand, Raewyn Durant.

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My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

Tilting at Windmills

Competitor Details

• Line Honours

Full Standings available approximately three hours after the start.

OFFICIAL ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART MERCHANDISE

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!