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Sailing News for June 25, 2025

In the Atlantic, Tschüss 2 breaks away in the Transatlantic Race 2025 with a blistering 491.5nm 24-hour run, while back in Europe, Foiling Week storms into action with record WASZP entries and high-tech energy on Lake Garda. On the tech front, SailGP reveals how it rebuilt its F50 wings after the Rio collapse, and Alain Sign shares five expert mainsail-trimming tips. In youth sailing, RYA Scotland honors the legacy of coach Matthew Toynbee with a new impact award. And in San Francisco, Sean Herbert and Erika Heineken top the Wingfoil Champs in gnarly Bay breeze.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Wiggling through Gulf Stream Meanders (4 min read)
Six days into the Transatlantic Race 2025, Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 leads the pack after expertly navigating the Gulf Stream’s meanders and clocking 491.5 nautical miles in 24 hours. The crew has managed consistent high speeds and is on pace to break the race’s elapsed time record. Close behind is VO65 Sisi, while IRC leaders in other divisions continue to battle varied conditions. The fleet now braces for a cold front that could reshape standings in the race to Cowes.

Goodchild Steps In for Dalin on IMOCA MACIF (2 min read)
French skipper Charlie Dalin will sit out the entire 2025 season due to health issues, handing the reins of IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance to Britain’s Sam Goodchild. The transition comes just months after Dalin’s Vendée Globe win. Goodchild will now team up with co-skipper Loïs Berrehar to keep the team on course through the full IMOCA Globe Series calendar, while Dalin shifts focus to managing the program behind the scenes.

44Cup Adds Twelfth Team for Breezy Marstrand Regatta (5 min read)
The 44Cup fleet returns to 12 boats ahead of the 2025 Marstrand regatta, with Dutch newcomer Warp 5 joining the fray using the series’ black boat trial system. The event marks the debut for Jan Scholtes and tactician Wouter Verbraak in the RC44 class. Heavy conditions are expected for the Swedish coastal venue, where returning powerhouses like Team Charisma and Artemis Racing will face off. The stage is set for tight, high-stakes one-design racing as the season leaderboard tightens.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Fabian Wolf on Gold Course in iQFOiL at Kieler Woche (4 min read)
German windsurfer Fabian Wolf secured a direct spot in the iQFOiL final at Kieler Woche, setting himself up as the gold favorite in his home waters. With stormy conditions challenging the Olympic classes, several German and international athletes advanced to Wednesday’s medal races across ILCA, 49er, 29er, and wingfoil fleets. The event also crowned multiple 29er Eurocup champions and wrapped up the first-ever wingfoil regatta. ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes are poised for a dramatic finish as top contenders fight for podium positions.

Youth Sailing/Development

Matthew Toynbee Youth Impact Award Honors Beloved Coach’s Legacy (4 min read)
RYA Scotland has launched the Matthew Toynbee Youth Impact Award to honor the late coach’s lasting legacy in youth sailing. Known for his passion, humor, and mentorship, Toynbee influenced countless sailors across Scotland through roles at Cumbrae, Port Edgar, and the RYA performance team. The inaugural award was presented to Ruairi Herrington and Finlay Davidson for embodying the resilience, support, and spirit Matt championed. The award will be given annually to recognize youth making a meaningful impact in the sailing community.

Sustainability

How Cruisers Can Help Solve the Derelict Boat Crisis (4 min read)
With thousands of aging boats abandoned each year, derelict vessels are polluting anchorages and threatening marine ecosystems. Jill Gallin outlines how cruisers can be part of the solution by choosing durable boats, advocating for international end-of-life funding, and ensuring their vessels are maintained and responsibly insured. The article warns that if the problem continues unchecked, remote destinations may restrict access for visiting yachts. Change, Gallin argues, begins with proactive sailors willing to rethink their impact.

Tech & Gear

Inside the Wing Rebuild: How SailGP Recovered from a Major Collapse (3 min read)
After a terrifying wing collapse on the Flying Roos F50, SailGP made the difficult call to cancel the Rio event and initiate a full investigation. This behind-the-scenes video documents the engineering challenge of reinforcing all fleet wings with new shear web structures. Crews disassembled each rig, rebuilt carbon components at precision angles, and worked around the clock to get the boats race-ready for New York. The result was a powerful example of safety, resilience, and team coordination at the highest level.

Mastering the Mainsail: 5 Pro Trimming Tips from Alain Sign (4 min read)
Cape 31 mainsheet trimmer Alain Sign shares his top tips for maximizing mainsail efficiency in all conditions. From coordinating with the crew to adjusting leech tension and traveler position, his advice centers on being proactive and responsive to boat speed, heel angle, and tactical priorities. Key insights include easing sails for speed in light air, closing the leech in powered-up modes, and anticipating gusts with smart runner use. It’s a masterclass in balance, awareness, and clear communication at the heart of high-performance sailing.

Foiling

Foiling Week 2025 Opens with Record WASZP Turnout and Packed Program (4 min read)
Foiling Week 2025 has kicked off strong on Lake Garda with a record 131 WASZP entries and the largest-ever Switch One Design fleet. Spain’s Pablo Astiazaran Perez-Cela leads the WASZPs while UK’s Finley Dickinson tops the Switch class after six races. The week continues with ETF26, BirdyFish Worlds, and Moth fleets joining the action, plus trials of nine foiling crafts, sustainability workshops, and the Foiling Sport Congress. With racing, innovation and environmental action, Foiling Week reaffirms its place as the hub of global foiling culture.

Spotlight

San Francisco Brings the Heat for 2025 U.S. Wingfoil Championship (3 min read)
The 2025 U.S. Wingfoil Championship wrapped up after three action-packed days at St. Francis Yacht Club, where strong 15 to 30 knot breezes pushed 41 riders to the limit. New Zealander Sean Herbert dominated the event, but top American JP Lattanzi claimed the U.S. National title. Erika Heineken took the Women’s division with confident style in a tightly contested fleet. With knockout formats, long-distance runs, and freestyle flair, the event highlighted wingfoiling’s rapid rise in American sailing.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

In a major shake-up for British sailing, Sir Ben Ainslie has stepped down as driver of Emirates GBR’s SailGP team, handing the helm to Olympic gold medalist Dylan Fletcher. After years at the forefront of the sport, Ainslie is shifting his focus to team ownership and strategic development, calling the move a matter of self-awareness rather than defeat. The transition marks a new era for Emirates GBR, with Ainslie guiding from behind the scenes while Fletcher steers the team forward on the water.