Transat Paprec Day 18 – 48 Hours to Glory (4 min read)
With landfall in sight, the final miles of the Transat Paprec are proving anything but easy. Light winds, squalls, torn sails, lightning damage, and relentless sargassum have shaken the rankings and challenged even the frontrunners. With less than three hours likely separating most of the fleet at the finish, the final sprint to Saint Barthélemy promises a dramatic end to an intense 18-day race.

2025 Medway Yacht Club Cruiser Spring Series – Race 3 (3 min read)
Eleven boats turned out for Race 3 of the Medway YC Spring Series, with the fleet split into two classes for the first time. Conditions ranged from light airs at the start to 15–20 knots up the course. Why Not took line honours in Class 1, but Chips claimed victory on corrected time. Mercury retired after sailing the wrong course. In Class 2, Gothik led the corrected results, with Petite Fleur and Freya close behind. Two more races remain in the series with several podium positions still in play.

Eye injury forces Tom Dolan to retire from the Solo Maître CoQ (2 min read)
Irish skipper Tom Dolan has withdrawn from the Solo Maître CoQ after being struck in the eye by a recoiling rope during the first inshore race. Despite finishing third, he was later advised to rest and avoid further risk. This rare retirement comes as a setback in his Figaro campaign, though a full recovery is expected after further evaluation with a specialist.

Youth Sailing World Championships (3 min read)
Australian Sailing has announced its return to the Youth Sailing World Championships (YSWC) starting in 2025, after pausing team participation in 2022. Following stakeholder consultations, the decision supports youth participation and long-term engagement in the sport. Selected sailors will attend on a self-funded basis, and the selection policy will be released by July 1.

Breeze On for RYA Eric Twiname Junior Championships 2025 (4 min read)
Over 340 young sailors and windsurfers competed at the 2025 RYA Eric Twiname Junior Championships across two UK venues in breezy, sun-filled conditions. With racing in multiple junior classes and fun off the water, the event focused on participation, skill-building, and camaraderie. Team North took home both the dinghy and windsurfing trophies, along with the overall Eric Twiname Shield.

iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games in Torbole, Italy – Day 2 (3 min read)
Persistent rain didn’t stop racing at Lake Garda on Day 2 of the iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games. The U19 fleets completed sprint races in 16 knots of shifting breeze before conditions shut down racing for U17s. France’s Leopold Brisedou and Italy’s Medea Falcioni extended their leads in the U19 fleets as 215 athletes from 23 nations prepare for more racing in the days ahead.

How to sleep sailing shorthanded – Practical Boat Owner (6 min read)
Managing rest while solo sailing is crucial for safety and mental clarity. This guide explains practical strategies for short naps, use of timers, radar, and AIS, and how to navigate shipping lanes and fatigue-induced hallucinations. Striking a balance between vigilance and rest is key to surviving long solo passages.

How I achieved optimal propeller pitch – Practical Boat Owner (5 min read)
Peter Hawkins shares how he fine-tuned the propeller pitch on his Macwester 27 after replacing the engine. Initially over-propped with a 13×12 setup, he traced poor performance, black smoke, and inefficiency to a miscalculated gearbox ratio and excess pitch. Switching to a 10in pitch significantly improved speed, efficiency, and handling, highlighting the importance of balancing pitch, slip, and engine load for optimal cruising performance.

In today’s quick tip, Steve Hunt breaks down a classic mistake that can ruin your beat—pinning yourself under a starboard boat. Learn how to stay free, keep your options open, and outsmart the fleet with two smart positioning choices.