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Sailing News Summary for May 14, 2025
With safety and performance top of mind, SailGP is reinforcing all F50 wingsails ahead of the New York event in June. Meanwhile, Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia has announced a world-class lineup for The Ocean Race Europe, blending elite sailing talent with a powerful sustainability message. The 2025 Transat Paprec goes down as one of the closest and most dramatic ever, while Olympic momentum builds through coaching leadership and new gear partnerships. In Qingdao, ILCA racers stay sharp despite calm seas, and boaters get smart about propeller care and corrosion defense. Finally, a spotlight on social media questions the tradeoffs of influencer culture in offshore racing.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Stronger wings, safer racing: SailGP prepares for New York (3 min read)
SailGP is upgrading all 12 F50 wingsails ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix following a bonding failure that led to Australia’s wing collapse in San Francisco. The new Aluminum Nomex core and reinforced laminate are expected to double structural strength, with repair work split between the UK and U.S. Ahead of the June 7–8 event, all teams will undergo sea trials and safety checks to ensure fleet parity and performance.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia unveils full crew for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 (5 min read)
Team Malizia has revealed its full crew lineup for The Ocean Race Europe 2025, featuring an international, gender-balanced roster led by skipper Boris Herrmann. The crew includes top sailors like Will Harris, Cole Brauer, Francesca Clapcich, Justine Mettraux, and Loïs Berrehar, with onboard reporters Flore Hartout and Antoine Auriol. Backed by strong climate and education missions, the team aims to combine competitive excellence with powerful environmental outreach.

Transat Paprec 2025 review – The lessons of an unforgettable edition (4 min read)
The 2025 Transat Paprec was one of the tightest in memory — 14 boats finished within six hours, and just 35 seconds separated 3rd from 4th. Skipper Macif’s Charlotte Yven and Hugo Dhallenne delivered a clinical victory, while local hero Cindy Brin stole hearts (and a podium) in St. Barth. From rookie breakthroughs to brutal physical tolls and emotional highs, this edition proved how ruthless, rewarding, and wildly competitive the Figaro class can be.

Olympic Class / Dinghy Sailing

Building Champions: Michael Blackburn’s Journey From Olympian to Technical Director (4 min read)
As part of National Careers Week, Australian Sailing spotlights Michael Blackburn, Olympic bronze medalist and current Technical Director of the Australian Sailing Team. Blackburn reflects on his progression from a young sailor to world champion, elite coach, and now a leader guiding national strategy. With a legacy of four Olympic golds as coach, he emphasizes the value of continuous learning, balance, and deep passion in a lifelong career in sport.

Zhik partners with US Sailing to gear up Olympic push to LA 2028 (5 min read)
US Sailing has announced a multi-year partnership with performance apparel brand Zhik to support the US Sailing Team through the 2028 Olympics. As the Official Technical Apparel Supplier, Zhik will outfit athletes across all levels with cutting-edge gear while also supporting youth development, women’s participation, and sustainability through its ReZHIKle program. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to performance, innovation and growing the sport nationwide.

Wind stalls Qingdao racing, but ILCA fleets stay focused and ready (4 min read)
Day two of the ILCA World Championships in Qingdao brought glassy seas and no races, as competitors waited out a long, windless day marked by fog and strong tidal currents. Sailors like Zoe Thomson and Finn Lynch shared insights into the mental challenges of staying focused when nature refuses to cooperate. Despite the stillness, athletes remained disciplined and hopeful, knowing tomorrow brings another chance.

Cruising

Propeller care: everything you need to know – Practical Boat Owner (5 min read)
Stu Davies offers a thorough guide to propeller care, breaking down the mechanics of how props work, why different materials and blade designs are used, and how to avoid common issues like corrosion and marine fouling. He shares practical advice for maintaining peak performance, from cleaning techniques to proper antifouling and anode usage. Whether you’re running a folding prop or a fixed bronze setup, this is essential reading for long-term reliability.

Tech & Gear

Rethinking anodes: Why aluminum might be your best defense against corrosion (4 min read)
Marine consultant Steve D’Antonio tackles persistent myths around anode use, particularly the misconception that aluminum anodes cause corrosion. In reality, aluminum anodes outperform zinc in many scenarios and are effective in salt, brackish, and fresh water without going inert like zinc can. D’Antonio encourages boat owners to understand electrochemical basics and make informed decisions, not just follow outdated advice.

Spotlight

Is influencer culture reshaping offshore sailing?  (5 min read)
Nikki Henderson questions the rising demands of ‘real-time’ storytelling in professional sailing, as social media begins to rival Mother Nature in shaping offshore decisions. While sailors like Violette Dorange and Cole Brauer have gained huge followings, the pressure to perform for the camera can compromise both focus and safety at sea. Henderson argues for a more thoughtful approach before social metrics overwhelm seamanship.

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