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24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.
Sailing News Summary for May 29, 2025
As SailGP heads to New York, U.S. driver Taylor Canfield says the team is ready to fight for podiums with new cohesion and veteran support. Portsmouth gears up for its own SailGP stop, while offshore, the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race secures Harken sponsorship and its first Kiwi entry. Match racing legend Ian Williams shares expert tips for timing starts, and youth development headlines include the Techno 293 windsurfer’s role in the 2026 Youth Olympics and Fynn Sterritt’s return to launch RYA Scotland’s new community-focused strategy. Cruising sailors revisit the Beneteau Oceanis 393’s influence, and college teams gear up for the Open Fleet Race finals in today’s video highlight.
Sail GP/America’s Cup
Taylor Canfield: “At Our Best, We’re Fighting for Podiums” (4 min read)
With the SailGP season resuming in New York, U.S. Driver Taylor Canfield remains confident in his team’s podium potential. Despite inconsistent results and limited time on the water, he emphasizes steady growth, team cohesion, and adapting to the new T-foils. The addition of veteran sailor Michael Menninger also brings valuable experience and synergy. Canfield believes that when the team is performing at its peak, they can challenge the fleet’s best.
Back the Brits at the 2025 SailGP Portsmouth Stop (3 min read)
Portsmouth will host the seventh stop of the 2025 SailGP season on July 19–20, with Emirates GBR leading the charge on home waters. Olympic champs Dylan Fletcher and Hannah Mills will compete in high-speed F50 foiling catamarans, thrilling fans just meters from the shoreline. The event also features live performances from Tom Grennan and Pete Tong as part of SailGP’s Après-Sail experience. With music, racing, and behind-the-scenes access, it’s shaping up to be a standout weekend for British sailing fans.
Inshore & Offshore Racing
First Kiwi Entry and Harken Sponsorship for Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (4 min read)
Harken Australia & New Zealand has been named title sponsor of the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, which will start on October 11. The race also welcomed its first New Zealand entry with Brian Petersen’s TP52 V5, marking a symbolic return after missing the inaugural edition. With ten entries already confirmed from across Asia-Pacific and growing interest, the 1250-nautical mile challenge across the Tasman is set to double in scale. Petersen brings decades of offshore experience and is eager to finally check this race off his list.
Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing
5 Expert Tips for Perfecting a Time On Distance Start (4 min read)
Match racing champion Ian Williams breaks down the essentials for nailing a time on distance start, a skill that can decide the outcome of a race. He emphasizes the importance of practice runs, using consistent timing rules like five seconds per boat length, and adjusting for current and line bias. Williams also explains techniques for both upwind and reaching starts, giving racers a clear edge through preparation and precision. These tips are a must for serious fleet and match racers alike.
Youth Sailing/Development
Focus on Inclusivity for Youth Olympics Windsurfing (3 min read)
World Sailing has chosen the Techno 293 Class for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, prioritizing accessibility and global participation. Unlike the high-cost foiling events of Paris 2024, the Techno 293 offers a low-entry barrier and ease of control for athletes aged 14 to 16. With 24 athletes per gender in windsurfing, the decision supports inclusivity and maintains sailing’s legacy as a core Youth Olympic sport. This will also mark the first Olympic sporting event held in Africa.
Olympian Fynn Sterritt Helps Launch RYA Scotland’s New Strategy (4 min read)
Paris 2024 Olympian Fynn Sterritt returned to Dalgety Bay to help unveil RYA Scotland’s updated strategy, People, Places and Communities. Launched at the Rooster RS Feva Nationals, the initiative focuses on making sailing more accessible, community-driven, and rewarding across Scotland. With input from local sailors, coaches, and volunteers, the strategy emphasizes lifelong skills, connection, and participation. The move marks a strong commitment to growing the sport by fostering grassroots engagement and regional pride.
Cruising
Beneteau Oceanis 393: A Breakthrough in Cruising Yacht Design (6 min read)
The Beneteau Oceanis 393 marked a major leap in cruising yacht design, combining comfort, space, and vastly improved stability. Introduced in 2001 as part of Beneteau’s third-generation Oceanis line, it addressed earlier safety concerns with deeper keels and enhanced ballast. Popular with both private owners and charter fleets, over 700 units were built, showcasing its balance of livability and capable sailing performance. The hull design also lived on in the Cyclades 39.3, further extending its legacy.
Sailing Highlight of the Day
The Intercollegiate Sailing Association’s semifinal showdown delivered big drama as shifting breeze and rain added complexity to both divisions. Yale, Hobart and William Smith, and St. Mary’s led key races, while Boston College and MIT staged huge comebacks to qualify for finals. With the top 18 teams now advancing and scores reset, all eyes turn to the championship rounds starting tomorrow. The battle for the Open Fleet Race title is just heating up.