SailGP news, J/22 Midwinters, SP80 update
by David Schmidt
Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix, J/22 Midwinters, SP80's speed record attempt While 2025 hasn't been kind to the City of Angels, sailing fans turned out to celebrate the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix event this past weekend, which saw 12 SailGP teams engaging in racecourse fisticuffs on the waters off the Port of Los Angeles.
Posted today at 4:00 pm No more excuses
by Mark Jardine
2025 is all about the club sailors, the weekend warriors, the open meeting stalwarts I was wondering if things were going to slow down in sailing after the huge events of 2024, namely the Olympics, America's Cup and Vendée Globe but, if anything, they've speeded up.
Posted on 17 Mar The oldest video footage of sailing in Ireland
by Magnus Smith
A look back into our video archive, from 1926 to 1980 As we prepare for St Patrick's Day tomorrow, let us direct our exploration of the video archive towards anything Irish. We have discovered several videos from Ireland, starting as early as the 1920s!
Posted on 16 Mar A windy Possession Point Race
by David Schmidt
Some thoughts on the 2025 Possession Point Race Mea Culpa: I didn't take any pictures on Saturday's Possession Point Race. That's because both of my hands were either busy either dealing with foredeck duties or holding on tight to the lifelines of Jonathan and Libby McKee's Riptide 44, Dark Star.
Posted on 11 Mar Two boats. Same Direction.
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation.
Posted on 9 Mar The 600 Sweet Spot
by Mark Jardine
The world of offshore racing is booming around the world The world of offshore racing is booming around the world. Record entries, some of the world's fastest yachts and highest profile campaigns, and a plethora of Corinthian teams have the 'classics' on their bucket list.
Posted on 4 Mar Foggy sailing on Puget Sound
by David Schmidt
East Coast fog and West Coast whales The biennial Marblehead to Halifax Race, which celebrates its 40th edition this summer, is a 361 nautical mile race that's often characterized by light upwind sailing in fog. Last Saturday on Puget Sound felt like a return to these storied waters.
Posted on 4 Mar Inaugural Fast Women's Switch Training Camp
by Mark Jardine
Some of the best sailors in the world gathered in Thailand The first ever Fast Women's Switch Training Camp took place at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand, attracting some of the best sailors in the world, fresh from competing in the Australia Sail Grand Prix.
Posted on 4 Mar Mini Globe Race, Caribbean 600, Cole Brauer
by David Schmidt
McIntyre Mini Globe Race begins, Caribbean 600, Cole Brauer There's an old saw that goes something like this: Thou shall not sail offshore on a yacht with less waterline, as measured in feet, than thou has in years.
Posted on 25 Feb Battle for the Bar
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
The unofficial name for the Capel Sound Invitational, from the stellar waters and the drinks By their own admission, this is the unofficial name for the Capel Sound Invitational. Yes, it pays reference to the location where they serve drinks, but it is also for the stretch of water it is named after.
Posted on 24 Feb Tongue Twister Triumphs
by Mark Jardine
Albacore wins Concours d'Elegance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show The Concours d'Elegance for the boat of the show has been won by Matt Thompson's Albacore 'Uffa Fox Sake' after judges Mark Jardine, joined this year by the voice of SailGP, Stevie Morrison, spent an enjoyable morning perusing every boat on display.
Posted on 23 Feb Spin it on its head
by John Curnow, Global Editor, SailWorldCruising.com
A swing keel that performs better than the fixed keel? C'mon. Let's check out the Wauquiez 55 A swing keel that performs better than the fixed keel? C'mon. Well, when you go to the super-accomplished Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, like, what do you expect? The tale about the coming to be of the Wauquiez 55 is bold and forthright.
Posted on 19 Feb A look at the Mini Globe Race 2025
by David Schmidt
Mini Globe Race 2025, warm-water racing, Vendee Globe finishers Amidst all the recent focus on the Vendee Globe race and SailGP's Season 5 racing, it's important to remember that there's also great offshore racing unfurling on the opposite end of sailing's waterline spectrum.
Posted on 18 Feb SailGP, Rolex Awards, Vendee Globe
by David Schmidt
SailGP, Rolex Awards, Vendee Globe finishers The weather at 48.5719° N, 122.4787° W (Bellingham, Washington) has been unseasonably cold, but the racing was hot on the waters of Sydney Harbor, where the third event of SailGP's Season 5 calendar unfurled last weekend.
Posted on 11 Feb The engine room
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Without them we are lost. This is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick. Without them we are lost. This is not about the tiny little room under the companionway stairs. Rather, it is about the things aloft both ahead and behind the stick.Yes. The rags. Only, they are anything but for wiping up spills. They are supreme tech.
Posted on 9 Feb SailGP: Controversial Call? Late Umpire Decision?
by Mark Jardine
Arguably the most contentious moment of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix provided us with thrilling racing, but arguably the most contentious moment was when the Australian SailGP Team were awarded a penalty in the pre-start when they were luffed by the Canadian NorthStar SailGP Team.
Posted on 9 Feb Slingsby's SailGP Starting Masterclass
by Mark Jardine
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Analysis Day 1 Video Analysis The reaching starts in SailGP make for entertaining viewing and, with just 400 metres until the first mark bear away, they are often critical to a race result.
Posted on 8 Feb J/40 Boat Tour at boot Düsseldorf
by Mark Jardine
Mark Jardine looks at the yacht with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com took a tour around the J/40 during boot Düsseldorf 2025 with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites.
Posted on 7 Feb The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
by Mark Jardine
If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight provided it If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight has provided it. We've seen the whole spectrum of goings on, from the superb in the Vendée Globe, to the baffling with the British America's Cup team.
Posted on 4 Feb Warm-water racing, Vendee Globe update
by David Schmidt
Warm-water racing, plus news from the Vendee Globe and Cup worlds While February doesn't enjoy the greatest reputation as a fine sailing month for most parts of North America (ahem), the same isn't true for the Caribbean or the Sunshine State.
Posted on 4 Feb Cup-quake, Vendee Globe news, Florida racing
by David Schmidt
America's Cup news, Vendee Globe finishers, warm-water racing While the dates and details of the next America's Cup have yet to be finalized, the AC world was jolted last week by the news that Sir Ben Ainslie will not return as principal, CEO, and skipper of the British-flagged INEOS Britannia team.
Posted on 28 Jan Freight Train Running
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Checking in with Cole Brauer and ZaZa Tucker in the Southern Ocean Back at the beginning of November 2024 in 'When diminutive is massive' we warned fellow mariners in the Atlantic and Southern Oceans, then the Tasman Sea that First Light may resemble more of a freight train on her delivery to Australia than a Class 40.
Posted on 27 Jan Small boats at boot Düsseldorf!
by Mark Jardine
Mark Jardine took a look around Hall 15 to see what he could find... Hall 15 at boot Düsseldorf has some really interesting small boats, so Mark Jardine took a look around to see what he could find...
Posted on 24 Jan So much more than records and statistics
by Mark Jardine
The way the Vendée Globe record was demolished was astounding The way the Vendée Globe record was demolished was astounding. Armel Le Cléac'h's mark of 74 days, 3 hours, 36 minutes had stood for eight years, with the 2020-21 winner of the race, Yannick Bestaven, taking just over 6 days longer to complete the course.
Posted on 22 Jan Vendee Globe, SailGP, RORC Transatlantic Race
by David Schmidt
It's one thing to win a sailboat race-it's a different thing to absolutely shatter the course record It's one thing to win a sailboat race—it's a different thing to absolutely shatter the existing course record. Charlie Dalin, skipper of the IMOCA 60 Macif Sante Prevoyance, accomplished the latter in the 2024/2025 Vendee Globe race.
Posted on 21 Jan XR 41 World Premiere at boot Düsseldorf 2025
by Mark Jardine
X-Yachts CEO Kræn B. Nielsen presides over the big reveal The XR 41 is one of the most exciting race yachts for 2025, and we were at the World Premiere on Saturday 18th January at boot Düsseldorf.
Posted on 18 Jan Safety first (like DRRR)
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Safety first was definitely the first rule of the sea, as explained to me when I was young Safety first was definitely the first rule of the sea, as explained to me when I was young. You know, one hand for you, one hand for the boat, and so forth. Nothing has changed, but what of the regulations surrounding it all?
Posted on 12 Jan Daydreaming of 2025 sailing adventures
by David Schmidt
Harnessing winter's doldrums to plan great summer sailing adventures Early January in the Pacific Northwest can get a little dreary at times (ahem), it's also a natural opportunity to take stock of one's goals for the new year, and to start cementing plans for the coming sailing season.
Posted on 7 Jan Flying start to 2025
by Mark Jardine
An embarrassment of riches for sailing fans Happy New Year to you all! The beginning of 2025 is an embarrassment of riches for sailing fans, with a cornucopia of events to follow, ranging from offshore yachts around the world to traditional dinghies.
Posted on 6 Jan Olympic sailing videos part 2
by Magnus Smith
Yachting footage from the 1970s to 1990s Games As 2024 draws to a close, we decided to look back on this Olympic year with a summary of all the oldest Olympic sailing videos we could find, from the analogue era before the year 2000. Here we cover the Seventies through to the Nineties.
Posted on 1 Jan Sydney Hobart triumph and tragedies, Vendee Globe
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt's final newsletter of 2024 Looking back, 2024 has been year that can be metaphorically bookended by mighty Ultims and tiny Alma Globe 5.80s.
Posted on 31 Dec 2024 Olympic sailing videos part 1
by Magnus Smith
Yachting footage from the 1920s to 1960s Games As 2024 draws to a close, we decided to look back on this Olympic year with a summary of all the oldest Olympic sailing videos we could find, from the analogue era before the year 2000. We start with the Twenties and go through to the Sixties.
Posted on 29 Dec 2024 Sydney Hobart Race, Vendee Globe, Mini Globe Race
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at one of his sincere regrets One of my sincere regrets from my (long-ago) college days was that I arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a semester-long study abroad program a few weeks after the start of the annual Sydney Hobart Race (December 26).
Posted on 24 Dec 2024 Mini Globe Race, Vendee Globe, and US Sailing news
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective While the eyes of the sailing world are rightfully glued to the Southern Ocean-exploits of the ongoing Vendée Globe sailors (see below), another round-the-world race is beginning to capture my imagination.
Posted on 17 Dec 2024 Make me smile
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Smiles and cash can always do amazing things. No cash, no splash, after all… Manly's pathway to progress looked at a way to attract and keep youth in sailing. Nice. Really nice. Now, what to do when you cannot replicate such a successful model?
Posted on 15 Dec 2024 Vendée Globe Twists and Turns, Thrills and Spills
by Mark Jardine
I need to start with an admission... I'm addicted to the Vendée Globe I need to start with an admission... I'm addicted to the Vendée Globe. When I wake in the morning, I look at the tracker, and at each sked (it updates every four hours) I take a look.
Posted on 10 Dec 2024 Vendee Globe, Match Racing, US Sailing and SailGP
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective A week doesn't seem like a big amount of time, but, when placed in the context of the singlehanded around-the-world Vendee Globe Race, it can translate into some serious velocity made good.
Posted on 10 Dec 2024 The oldest footage of the Flying Fifteen class
by Magnus Smith
A look back into our video archive, but trying to avoid excess royalty We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show sailing in the Flying Fifteen class of racing keelboat.
Posted on 8 Dec 2024 The birthing suite
by John Curnow, Global Editor, SailWorldCruising.com
Due date of December 13 for the first offspring - eager parents await Due date of December 13, 2024, for the first offspring. It will be a natural birth. There are extra parts that have already appeared that are also eagerly anticipating the arrival, so they can marry up and finally we will have the first Cure 55.
Posted on 6 Dec 2024 Vendee Globe and Jules Verne Trophy news
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt checks in with the Vendee Globe, Gabart's latest Jules Verne Trophy attempt I've currently got my nose buried in Julian Sancton's Madhouse at the End of the Earth, which is the story of a (mixed) Belgian-flagged expedition to Antarctica and the South Pole (1897-1899). As its moniker suggests, the wheels quickly come off the bus.
Posted on 3 Dec 2024 The Traditional Hobart
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
Interesting. You hear the term a bit, but what does it really mean? You hear the term a bit, but what does it really mean? One thing is for sure. It is not like we are hearing people saying they are buying up all the full-keelers to go to Hobart at six knots, no matter what direction the breeze is coming from.
Posted on 1 Dec 2024 The oldest videos of junior and youth sailing
by Magnus Smith
A look back into our video archive Our video archive is fully searchable, and updated weekly with the latest sailing videos, but here we step back in time to see what is the oldest footage we can uncover. Our theme is children and young people this week.
Posted on 1 Dec 2024 New Products from Allen Brothers at METSTRADE 2024
by Mark Jardine
Swivel Blocks, Tii-Bones and Travellers! New and innovative products to make sailors' lives easier Swivel Blocks, Tii-Bones and Travellers! Allen Brothers never disappoint, with new and innovative products to make sailors' lives easier. We spoke to Ben Harden at METSTRADE 2024 to find out about three new products in their range.
Posted on 28 Nov 2024 Manly's pathway to progress
by Mark Jardine
A youth sailing success story in Australia The Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club is a success story against a background of dwindling support for youth sailing in Australia.
Posted on 26 Nov 2024 SailGP and Vendée Globe updates
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective While singlehanded skippers racing in the Vendée Globe race have been posting record-setting runs, the story was different at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix event, which just wrapped up on the waters of the United Arab Emirates.
Posted on 26 Nov 2024 SailGP and Vendee Globe news
by David Schmidt
SailGP Season 5, Vendee Globe, and Sailing Grand Slam news While much of the global sailing news cycle is (rightly) focused on the Vendee Globe fleet, which left Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on November 10 bound for a planetary lap via the three great capes, SailGP is also having a moment.
Posted on 19 Nov 2024 Gloves off! (Or is that actually gloves on?)
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor
After last year's spectacular Hobart win, can LawConnect claim underdog status anymore? Well now... Isn't that actually a really good point. Normally, you'd say it was gloves off, time to get physical in a bare-knuckle street fighter sense.
Posted on 17 Nov 2024 So much more than tiller extensions
by Mark Jardine
Charting the incredible rise of GOAT Marine If you were at the Dinghy Show a couple of years back you may well have seen Steve Badham selling tiller extensions on a small stand. Those that picked them up would have noticed they were really light and immensely strong whilst also being shatterproof.
Posted on 14 Nov 2024 Saving the best for last
by Mark Jardine
2024 is being a veritable feast for big events in sailing 2024 is being a veritable feast for big events in sailing with SailGP giving us our hors d'oeuvre, Paris 2024 in Marseille as our starter, the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup the main course, and we're now enjoying the Vendée Globe for dessert.
Posted on 13 Nov 2024 Pondering the caffeine habits of the Vendee fleet
by David Schmidt
David Schmidt admits he's a stone-cold coffee addict As my burr grinder reduced my dark-roast Sumatra beans to the right grind, I couldn't help but consider that the 40 skippers who just began the Vendee Globe race won't have this luxury (or many, many others) for months.
Posted on 12 Nov 2024