24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.

Sailing News for July 25, 2025

This week’s lineup is stacked. The WASZP Games hit peak mayhem with wild wind shifts and general recalls galore, while Airlie Beach Race Week gears up for multihull madness and canting rigs in paradise. In the spotlight is the US SailGP Team, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Plus, Antigua Sailing Week splits into two bold formats, Denmark sends sail-powered spy drones to patrol the Baltic, and cutting-edge hybrid tech promises silent cruising. Throw in pump failures, youth world battles in LA, and hot racing in Canberra and you’ve got one jam-packed issue.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

US SailGP Team: Living Loud, Sailing Slow (3 min read)
The US SailGP Team has swagger but not the results to match, and it’s starting to wear thin. Bold predictions turned into public stumbles, and social media isn’t helping. Critics are having a field day. Meanwhile, the docuseries Uncharted paints a glowing portrait of Jimmy Spithill while tossing shade at the team that dropped him. If the goal was to stay in the spotlight, mission accomplished. But not all press is good press, and this one might sting.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Last Call for Early Bird Entries to the 2025 Masters Games in Canberra (4 min read)
Over 200 sailors aged 30 and up are expected to hit Lake Burley Griffin this October for the Australian Masters Games, a five-day regatta with everything from dinghies to multihulls. Hosted by the Canberra and YMCA Sailing Clubs, it’s shaping up to be a lively mix of tight racing and city-side fun. With spring westerlies, dynamic scheduling, and daily BBQs, it’s part competition, part holiday. Early bird entries close July 27, so now’s the time to lock it in and save a few bucks.

Multihulls, Canting Rigs, and a Whole Lot of Speed at Airlie Beach Race Week (5 min read)
Over 130 boats are set to light up the Whitsundays at the 37th Airlie Beach Race Week, and the multihulls are bringing the heat. From Extreme 40s to Farriers and Wetas, the fleet is stacked with fast boats and faster sailors. Terry O’Brien is back with The Stig and a new canting rig, gunning for his first win after back-to-back silvers. The course is stunning, the competition is fierce, and the vibes are high. Still time to enter if you want in.

Antigua Sailing Week Splits in Two with New Race-Heavy Format (4 min read)
Antigua is shaking things up with a split format for 2026. The new Antigua Racing Cup (April 9–12) gives hardcore racers four days of high-intensity coastal competition out of English Harbour, perfect for tight schedules and serious teams. Then comes the revamped Antigua Sailing Week (April 22–26), bringing back classic point-to-point cruising vibes with rally racing and scenic finishes. It’s a clever way to please both adrenaline junkies and laid-back sailors, all while celebrating the best of Caribbean racing.

Cruising

Avoid the Tow: Sea Tow Captains Share Their Best Boating Tips (5 min read)
Dead batteries, fouled props, sketchy anchors. Sea Tow Captains have seen it all, and they’re here to help you steer clear of the most common boating blunders. From checking your throttle and battery terminals before leaving the dock to dropping anchor first when things go wrong, these tips are straight from the front lines. They also swear by float plans, weather alerts, and having a VHF ready to go. Want fewer mayday moments this season? Start here and save yourself the call.

The Black Water Pump Fail That Nearly Sank the Boat (6 min read)
What started as a routine pump replacement turned into a near-miss disaster. Gilbert Park’s black water pump had silently corroded from the inside out, with three sheared studs and a barely hanging-on top cap. One bump and water could’ve poured in unchecked. Thankfully, a messy but successful install of a new diaphragm pump saved the day. If you’ve got an older macerator on board, take a look at those fittings. It might be time to swap it before your next “routine job” becomes an emergency.

Tech & Gear

JOOOL Hybrid System Promises Quiet Cruising and Serious Battery Power (5 min read)
Say goodbye to diesel rattle and hello to silent sailing. The new JOOOL Hybrid system is a full plug-and-play setup for 35 to 65-foot yachts, combining electric propulsion, massive battery banks, and multiple charging options like solar, hydro, and backup diesel. It runs everything from air con to your electric tender without juggling fuel types. Born from La Rochelle’s electric ferry tech and backed by Fountaine Pajot and Dufour, this system is already making waves on Leopards and more. Smart, efficient, and seriously slick.

Spy Drones with Sails: Denmark’s New Tactic Against Russia’s Ghost Ships (4 min read)
Denmark is deploying sail-powered drones to patrol the Baltic, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and guarding undersea cables. These 10-meter autonomous bots from Saildrone can cruise for months, track ships, and sniff out suspicious activity without burning a drop of fuel. They’re not stealthy either. With AIS active and military gray paint, they’re meant to be seen. Some worry about collisions with yachts, others about data security, but one thing is clear: the age of robotic sailors is officially here and they do not need a crew.

Foiling

WASZP Games 2025: Pin-Ends, Port Tackers, and a Whole Lot of General Recalls (6 min read)
Day 4 at the WASZP Games brought breeze roulette and serious start line chaos. The Gold Fleet needed four tries to get going, with Jasper Camenzind (NZL) schooling the fleet in Race 1. Federico Bergamasco (ITA) now leads overall after a wild comeback. Silver and Bronze stacked races inside the harbor, and the Green Fleet is buzzing with progress as sailors level up. Tight battles, tricky shifts, and foils everywhere. Just the way we like it.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Day 3 of the ILCA 4 Youth Worlds in San Pedro brought wind, chop, and high stakes as sailors battled for spots in the Gold Fleet. With breeze pushing into the mid-teens and plenty of shifts, some thrived while others just tried to hang on. For many, it’s their first world championship and a shot to race against top youth sailors from around the globe. Spirits are high, competition is fierce, and the finals are just around the corner.