The complete package
by Mark Jardine
A thriving clubhouse leads to higher racing attendance, and visa versa I'm a great believer in starting things on the right foot. Be that in the morning, going for a run (even though it was damn chilly this morning) to set yourself up for the day, or preparing ahead for a meeting so that you've got the figures to hand.
Posted on 5 Jan Sydney Hobart – A very ordinary Hobart
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Now don't get me wrong. That's a not a description of the on-water action. Far from it, actually Now don't get me wrong. That's a not a description of the on-water action from the 80th rendition of the Boxing Day Classic. Far from it, actually. Rather, it is a reflection upon that the elements that an ‘ordinary' Hobart invariably involves
Posted on 31 Dec 2025 Celebrating the Great Race from half a world away
by David Schmidt
The Rolex Sydney Hobart delivers a tough test While early winter isn't exactly a great time for sailing in the Pacific Northwest, this year I reeled my family into the Great Race's Boxing Day drama.
Posted on 30 Dec 2025 A new measurement system
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
What if you could create something that measured for real? Where we wouldn't need acronyms... What if you could create something that measured for real? You wouldn't need acronyms like IMS, IRC, ORCi, UMS, AMS, MOCRA, ORR, OMR, or PHRF. No hull factors deployed. No age allowances required. No weighing involved. No recut of sails.
Posted on 29 Dec 2025 Sydney Hobart – Double is not nothing
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Can the Double Handers get up? Will it be a veteran? Can an Ocean Grader get through? The Double Handers are duking it out to see if they can get the Overall Win under IRC – the famed Tattersall Cup (officially The George Adams Tattersall Cup). There are 12 still racing under IRC in this division. Min River had it early, and now Borderline
Posted on 29 Dec 2025 Merry Christmas and Thank You!
by Mark Jardine
A time to celebrate sailing I'd like to start by wishing you all a Happy Christmas, and hope that however you are celebrating, you are having fun with friends and family.
Posted on 25 Dec 2025 New and improved Swiss Army Knife
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Racing it won't be easy. Enjoying Palm Beach XI should be a Hallelujah Moment! Racing it won't be easy. Owing to the complexities of angles, horsepower, one daggerboard down, the other daggerboard up, C-Foils extended, C-Foils retracted, Leeward Elevator down, Windward Elevator up, and the list would just extend from there…
Posted on 21 Dec 2025 Debriefing the inaugural Inclusion Championships
by David Schmidt
With luck, the IPC was paying very close attention In January 2015, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC}) made the misguided decision to drop sailing from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Sports Program. This began a series of bad decisions that the sailing world hopes to see reversed.
Posted on 16 Dec 2025 Like watching a big front build
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Deploying the might of the North Technology Group is not simply about rags, strings, and sticks When you able to deploy the total might of the North Technology Group, it is not simply rags, strings, and sticks that are the outcome. Equally, it is not merely the sum of the parts. It is more. Way more… Yes. It is most certainly the best of the best.
Posted on 15 Dec 2025 Could the decline of Linear TV benefit sailing?
by Mark Jardine
The rise of YouTube has changed how we watch sport I really enjoyed the highlights of SailGP this season. When there's wind it is exciting racing with some of the best sailors on the planet battling it out on identical boats. The problem was, I didn't watch any of it live.
Posted on 9 Dec 2025 Sailing in Paradise - escape the winter blues!
by Mark Jardine
Thailand's stunning Royal Varuna Yacht Club offers incredible sailing throughout the year During the winter months in the northern hemisphere, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club can give visiting sailors some of the best warm water sailing available and the club welcomes guests from around the world.
Posted on 9 Dec 2025 The extraordinary Gitana 18 Ultim trimaran
by Mark Jardine
Timelapse video of the construction and a look at the main design differences Over the past two years at CDK Technologies on the West coast of France, the most advanced offshore sailing yacht ever built has been taking shape.
Posted on 6 Dec 2025 Switching Classes - Advice from Ben McGrane
by Mark Jardine
Getting the decision right takes thought and a bit of research Getting the decision right takes thought and a bit of research. Will the class suit you? Are you the right weight? What boat should you get in that class? All questions which could decide where you make the right choice.
Posted on 3 Dec 2025 Brits win two SailGP titles, Jules Verne attempt
by David Schmidt
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team wins two SailGP trophies, Jules Verne Trophy news The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team made history on the waters off of Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, last weekend when they became the third team in SailGP's five-season history to win the league's championship title and its accompanying $2M-plus prize purse.
Posted on 2 Dec 2025 First Look: Seldén CXr at Metstrade 2025
by Mark Jardine
Patented ratchet design and innovative 'nail' terminal Code sails have revolutionised sail handling on yachts, and Seldén's second generation of furlers, called CXr, have a patented ratchet design, as well as an innovative 'nail' terminal to connect to the torsion cables.
Posted on 2 Dec 2025 Video: All-female crew start their record attempt
by Mark Jardine
The Famous Project CIC aim for the Jules Verne Trophy The all-female crew on The Famous Project CIC have set off on an attempt to capture the Jules Verne Trophy and break the round the world record.
Posted on 1 Dec 2025 Keep it in the family. Keep it Tasmanian.
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Seeing as we have been somewhat zeroed in on Tassie over the last little while, let's keep going Now the Australian with the fastest time for a solo, non-stop, and unassisted circumnavigation of this here planet is Ken Gourlay, OAM.
Posted on 30 Nov 2025 The Two Million Dollar Move
by Mark Jardine
SailGP Grand Final Video Analysis We take a look at how the starts were won in the light winds on Day 1, and then see who won the start in the three-boat Grand Final itself, and then what the winning move was that sealed the 2025 Season title.
Posted on 30 Nov 2025 Passion, Precision and Innovation at Metstrade
by Mark Jardine
If you want a positive outlook on the marine industry then there's no better place to be If you want a positive outlook on the marine industry then there's no better place to be than Amsterdam in mid-November.
Posted on 25 Nov 2025 ILCA goes green, Melges 24s and A Class Cats news
by David Schmidt
The ILCA joins forces with Greenboats, Melges 24s, A Class Cats, Cup news While boats are a fantastic way to get out on the water, explore one's environment, and likely return with a greater appreciation for our natural world, building composite vessels has its environmental tolls. The ILCA and Greenboats want to change this.
Posted on 18 Nov 2025 They just have to be Taswegians!
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Yes, they are completely unique. Little wonder too, as their home is just so special. Yes, they are completely unique. Little wonder too, as their home is just so special. However, rather than talk about all 575,000 souls that call Tasmania home, we are going to focus in on just two. Yes. It's the number you need to go double-handed.
Posted on 17 Nov 2025 Coaching, Over-Coaching, Coaches Sailing and Fun!
by Mark Jardine
A topic of discussion in many of my recent chats A topic of discussion in many of my recent chats, and when I've been out and about at events, has been coaching. How it's done, and the impression it leaves on those learning, has profound ramifications on success and participation.
Posted on 11 Nov 2025 Ken Read on his recent induction into the NSHOF
by David Schmidt
Ken Read on his recent induction into the National Sailing Hall of Fame Eighteen years is a long time, but I can still recall the sounds of carbon-fiber skins grinding on each other aboard PUMA's Volvo Open 70 Avanti as we pound into small chop on the waters of Block Island Sound.
Posted on 11 Nov 2025 Transat Café L'OR and Mini Globe Race news
by David Schmidt
Updates from the Transat Café L'OR and the McIntyre Mini Globe Race 2025 The realities of shorter days and cooler temperatures might be sweeping over most of North America these days, but that hasn't stopped a flurry of offshore-racing news of late.
Posted on 4 Nov 2025 Pivot on this
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
I despise the way ‘pivot' got used as many times as those wretched QR codes... Yes indeed. As much as I would hate to take people back to the COVID era, that's exactly what I've just done. Making that problematic trip back in time look good, is how much I despise the way ‘pivot' got used as many times as those wretched QR codes.
Posted on 2 Nov 2025 Two Sides of a Sail
by Mark Jardine
Brutal start to Transat Café L'or, while some start their sailing journey at the Pittwater Sail Expo I'm focusing on two very different events today, on different sides of the planet, and with a very different focus, but linked by the adventure of going sailing.
Posted on 28 Oct 2025 Watching the growing sailing scene in China
by Mark Jardine
A fun weekend at the 2025 Lake Fuxian Regatta I've become fascinated with the growing sailing scene in China. I had so many preconceptions ahead of my first visit to the country in 2024, which were blown out of the water on that trip, and this was reaffirmed at the Lake Fuxian Regatta.
Posted on 24 Oct 2025 Offshore news from minis to monsters
by David Schmidt
Mini Transat, the Mini Globe Race, and Transat Café L'OR news Sailing headlines of late might be dominated by big monohulls or foiling multihulls (we'll get there), but there are two interesting races afoot involving big oceans and small boats, namely the Mini Transat and the Mini Globe Race.
Posted on 20 Oct 2025 Who let the dogs out?
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
We can tell you who is going to win the 2025 Sydney to Hobart before it is even run! Yes indeed. Who? Now in the canine world there's a thing called, 'Best in Show'. However, right here, right now, out of all the entries, we can tell you who is going to win the 2025 Sydney to Hobart, before it is even run.
Posted on 19 Oct 2025 A Day at the Allen Factory!
by Mark Jardine
New and innovative products, cutting-edge manufacturing techniques The Allen factory, based in Southminster, Essex in the UK, makes many of the deck hardware and fittings that we use in our sailing, be that on dinghies or keelboats.
Posted on 16 Oct 2025 The Winner-Takes-All Race
by Mark Jardine
Event format at the 49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 Worlds could be the best option for the Olympics The 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships just held in Cagliari, Italy, could well be the most important held in the class. Not just that, it may influence how sailing happens at the Olympics.
Posted on 14 Oct 2025 Renaissance of the two ACs?
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ
A look at how the two ACs - the Admiral's Cup and America's Cup have evolved in the past few months A look at the events of July and August including the highly successful revival of the Admirals' Cup and international offshore racing. Is the America's Cup on a new tack? Behind the scenes in SailGP. Top racer for sale.
Posted on 13 Oct 2025 SailGP rolls through Cadiz, One Design racing news
by David Schmidt
F50s in Cadiz, Formula Kites, J/22s, Hobie 16s, and GL52s SailGP has enjoyed a fine tour of the United Kingdom and Europe of late. This wrapped up this past weekend in Cadiz, Spain, where the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix was contested using the league's 24-meter wingsails and the light-air T-foils and rudders.
Posted on 7 Oct 2025 Opportunity knocks
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Time with Keryn McMaster was on offer, so yeah, let's do this! Best grab it with both hands, then. Time with Keryn McMaster was on offer, so like, yeah, let's do this! She's a bit of ledge, so she fits in very well with the precursor piece we did on the Admiral's Cup, which was entitled: The call of the mighty.
Posted on 6 Oct 2025 Crossroads Moment for Olympic Sailing
by Mark Jardine
Many changes to scoring over the last 20 years - it looks like it's all going to change again Perceived lack of attention span, confusing scoring systems, the need for TV to have an understandable format and grandstand' moment has led Olympic sailing to experiment with various formats over the past 20 years, and it is now looking to change again.
Posted on 29 Sep 2025 SailGP, TOR Europe, Women's Match Racing Worlds
by David Schmidt
Good things often happen when preparation meets opportunity Good things often happen when preparation meets opportunity. Such was the case for the Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank squad when they notched their first-ever SailGP event win at last weekend's Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix.
Posted on 23 Sep 2025 And so, it begins…
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Grand Final not run yet, but our Hobart coverage begins with something very cool Maybe a tad earlier than last year, which I think was after the Grand Final, but the 100th entrant seemed like a good place to set things off. Now with that said, Sail-World's Hobart coverage begins.
Posted on 21 Sep 2025 Growing Female Participation in Sailing
by Mark Jardine
Success Stories in the Flying Fifteen fleet It's been an incredible summer of sailing in the UK, and one of the highlights for me has been talking with competitors at major events, learning how they started sailing, what they love most about the sport, and their visions for the future.
Posted on 16 Sep 2025 Dr. Peter Puskic on TOC's Pacific Data Expedition
by David Schmidt
Dr. Peter Puskic discusses The Ocean Cleanup's Pacific Data Expedition This year, The Ocean Cleanup teamed up with some of the returning Transpac fleet to gather data on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch using innovative camera technology and AI that the organization developed.
Posted on 16 Sep 2025 Globe40 and La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
by David Schmidt
A look at the Globe40 and the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec It's always an encouraging sign when a round-the-world race begins its second edition, especially when the steeds in question are approachable boats for most serious sailors.
Posted on 9 Sep 2025 You just gotta love a good algorithm
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. So, I opened up YouTube, and there it was. Could not believe my luck, actually. The algorithm had coughed up something I really wanted to watch. Yes, I know it means Big Brother is watching and listening.Also, every key stroke is being recorded.
Posted on 7 Sep 2025 Carbon or Steel?
by Mark Jardine
Moth Foil Evolution with Alex Adams Foils have been shrinking for years as sailors continually try to reduce drag and increase speeds, but designers were reaching the limit of what they could do with carbon, so the latest foils have turned to steel for some parts.
Posted on 7 Sep 2025 Unboxing the Bieker Moth with Kyle Stoneham
by Mark Jardine
A look 'below decks' at the hidden control systems on Kyle's International Moth Why are all the ropes hidden on all the latest International Moths? It's all about aerodynamic efficiency as the boats get faster and faster. As we find out with Kyle, there are also some very clever systems under the carbon covers.
Posted on 6 Sep 2025 The Age of Steel in the Land of Rock
by Mark Jardine
The International Moth class is never standing still This week the Moths have gathered in Torquay at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the UK Championship, and the discussion is all about steel.
Posted on 3 Sep 2025 From vision to reality
by Mark Jardine
The XR 41's journey from sketch to World Champion In 2023 I took part in my first X-Yachts Gold Cup at Aarhus in Denmark. It was a glorious event, balancing fun and competition perfectly, and was a weekend where new friendships were formed with sailors who I continue to chat with regularly.
Posted on 2 Sep 2025 Why we need VMG and VMC
by Mark Jardine
On The Ocean Race Europe Tracker The Ocean Race Europe Tracker has just had an update thanks to PredictWind, and now looks at routing for the boats, but it doesn't yet have VMG or VMC.
Posted on 27 Aug 2025 Sail now, and sail often
by David Schmidt
Some thoughts on capturing as much sailing time as possible I'll admit it had been too long. Way too long, if I'm being honest.
Posted on 26 Aug 2025 Yet more 'F' word
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back One of the enduring joys of this gig is circling back. This is no more especially so than when you get to see the plan unfold.
Posted on 25 Aug 2025 Blurring the line between sport and entertainment
by Mark Jardine
It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to crashes Crashes gain clicks. It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to situations where things have gone spectacularly wrong.
Posted on 18 Aug 2025 Double Trouble during Sassnitz SailGP Practice
by Mark Jardine
Brazil hull collapses and French rudder flies off There was drama in Sassnitz during SailGP practice racing as firstly the French SailGP Team's starboard rudder broke off during a windward mark bear away, and then on the same leg Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team nose dived, with the main crossbeam collapsing.
Posted on 15 Aug 2025