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24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.
Sailing News Summary for May 19, 2025
This week’s highlights include a unique chance to win premium hospitality at the New York Sail Grand Prix, courtesy of the U.S. SailGP Team and DJ Khaled. In Qingdao, Louise Cervera and Willem Wiersema emerged as ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 world champions after a week of calm, chaos, and finally strong breeze. The 44Cup Porto Cervo wrapped in classic Mistral conditions with Team Nika securing victory and the Törnqvist family filling the remaining podium spots. Offshore, the latest Transat Paprec recap, Jean Le Cam’s bold non-foiling IMOCA effort, and smart regatta prep tips from Kris Werner all reinforce the value of grit and planning. Olympic and college circuits are heating up too, with Laura Harding balancing elite sailing and academics, and top teams preparing for the Fleet Race Nationals at St. Mary’s. For cruisers, the redesigned J/40 and the versatile Allures 45 continue to turn heads on both performance and comfort.
Sail GP/America’s Cup
Win Premium Hospitality for New York Sail Grand Prix with DJ Khaled (2 min read)
The U.S. SailGP Team has teamed up with DJ Khaled to give fans a chance to win premium hospitality passes for the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 8. Winners will enjoy exclusive food, drinks, and unbeatable views of F50 racing in front of the Statue of Liberty. Everyone who enters also receives a limited-edition DJ Khaled Battle Flag for their Crew Card.
Inshore & Offshore Racing
World Match Racing Tour Adds First-Ever Ireland Stage (4 min read)
The World Match Racing Tour has announced its first-ever Irish stage with the launch of the Dublin Match Cup, set for 25–28 September 2025 in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Hosted by the National Yacht Club and supported by Sport Ireland, the Grade 2 event will feature 12 international teams sailing J80s in close-quarters match racing. Organized by the Irish Match Racing Association, the event marks a major milestone for Irish sailing and aims to grow homegrown talent on the global circuit.
Regatta Prep Wins Races Says Quantum’s Kris Werner (4 min read)
Preparation is everything according to Kris Werner, who details how Andy Graff’s J/88 Exile clinched wins at Charleston Race Week and the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Annapolis. From early team meetings to dialed-in practice days and fine-tuned routines, Werner stresses that minimizing distractions and maximizing time on the water is what sets winning teams apart. Thorough prep, clear goals, and crew consistency are the formula behind Exile’s spring success.
Can the latest non-foilers compete at the front of the fleet? (6 min read)
In a bold departure from the foiling arms race, Jean Le Cam and Eric Bellion commissioned two new Raison-designed IMOCA 60s without foils for the 2024 Vendée Globe. Built for simplicity, durability, and affordability, these scow-influenced, daggerboard boats aimed to be lighter, easier to handle solo, and significantly cheaper than foilers. Though not podium contenders, Le Cam’s Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor lux showed moments of speed, particularly in the Indian Ocean, raising the question: Is there still a future for refined non-foilers in the IMOCA fleet?
Team Nika Triumphs in Porto Cervo Thriller (5 min read)
Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika delivered a dominant final day to win the 44Cup Porto Cervo and reclaim the golden wheels as overall series leaders. The event also saw a historic moment with the Törnqvist father-son duo claiming second and third with Artemis Racing and newcomer GeMera. Racing in Bomb Alley offered classic Mistral conditions, testing the RC44 fleet across a complete range. With Marstrand next on the schedule, the 2025 44Cup title fight is wide open.
Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing
Laura Harding Charts a Dual Path to Olympic Glory (4 min read)
Australian 49erFX sailor Laura Harding is chasing Olympic dreams while pursuing a degree in Exercise and Sport Science, showcasing a rare balance of elite sport and academics. From humble beginnings at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron to co-helming Team Australia in the Women’s America’s Cup, Harding exemplifies resilience and adaptability. Her story highlights the importance of athlete wellbeing and long-term development beyond the water.
Qingdao Delivers Chaos and Champions at ILCA Worlds (6 min read)
After a week of unpredictable conditions in Qingdao, Louise Cervera (FRA) and Willem Wiersema (NED) emerged as 2025 ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 World Champions. From days of total calm to a final race day with gusts hitting 38 knots, sailors endured a full spectrum of challenges. The event tested mental and physical endurance with 237 athletes from 49 nations racing through everything from fog to squalls. The resilience shown is a strong preview of Olympic contenders for LA 2028.
Youth Sailing/Development
College Fleet Race Nationals Set for Championship Showdowns (4 min read)
The final two national championships of the 2024–25 college sailing season, the Women’s and Open Fleet Race Nationals, are set to begin in St. Mary’s City, MD. Top-ranked Stanford leads the Women’s Fleet Race as they look to claim a rare three-peat, while Harvard enters the Open Fleet Race as defending champions. Yale, Brown, and Roger Williams are also in the hunt, setting the stage for high-level racing in Zim 420Es and FJs on the St. Mary’s River.
Cruising
Allures 45: Bluewater Cruiser with Creek-Crawling Capability (5 min read)
The French-built Allures 45 blends serious offshore performance with rare versatility, thanks to its variable draught and rugged aluminium construction. Designed by Berret-Racoupeau and built for long-distance cruising, it features twin rudders, a lifting centerplate, and smart semi-custom options. Peter Poland praises its strength, comfort, and fine detailing. This is a yacht just as capable drying out in a tidal creek as it is crossing oceans in style and safety.
J/40 Reborn: A Legendary Cruiser Reinvented ( min read)
The new J/40, designed by Al Johnstone, carries forward the legacy of his father Rod’s original 1984 cruiser, blending modern performance with traditional cruising comforts. Already a standout, the redesigned model won Cruising World’s 2025 Best Full-Size Cruiser and Best Boat Overall. With sharp upwind ability, refined interior design, and strong early demand, the J/40 is built to excite a new generation of sailor-racers and cruisers alike.
Sailing Highlight of the Day
This video breaks down how to sail upwind through waves using smart steering, constant sheeting, and active body movement. It shows how to maintain speed by steering into the wave face and bearing away on the back while adjusting trim and balance. It also explains how to adapt your setup and sailing mode in choppy vs. swell conditions. A solid guide for sailors looking to sharpen their wave technique.