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24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.
Sailing News for July 07, 2025
Transpac 2025 is underway and it’s already testing crews, with early damage, retirements, and a serious injury. Meanwhile, Match Cup Sweden crowned new champions as Jeppe Borch made Danish sailing history and Pauline Courtois ruled the women’s bracket. Caribbean cruisers are rethinking their hurricane hideouts, Köster survived 50-knot chaos to win in Pozo, and Peter Burling is heading offshore with SVR-Lazartigue. Toss in youth development in Belfast, a bow thruster repair deep dive, and a salty onboard video from the Transpac, and it’s a stacked week across the sport.
Inshore & Offshore Racing
Marstrand Crowns New Champions in Wild Finals (4 min read)
Denmark’s Jeppe Borch just became the first Danish skipper to win Match Cup Sweden, battling through two tight knockout rounds against homegrown legends Berntsson and Hansen. On the women’s side, France’s Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink team shut down the Dutch challengers in a clean 2-0 win. With surprise squalls and big penalties flying, it was a gritty finale full of sharp moves and serious talent. Marstrand delivered drama, and the new champs earned every bit of it.
American Magic Quantum Racing Leads into Final Day at TP52 Worlds (5 min read)
After three high-octane races in Cascais, American Magic Quantum Racing sits five points clear at the top going into the final day. But it wasn’t easy. A premature start and a chaotic top-mark showdown with Paprec almost sank their lead. Sled put in a near-perfect day to climb into striking distance, and with breeze building for Sunday, the world title is still very much up for grabs.
Damage and Injury Hit Early in 2025 Transpac Race (2 min read)
Just days into the 2225-mile Transpac Race, three boats are already out. Vortices 2 and GoodEnergy both retired due to rudder issues, while Rock n Roll pulled out after co-skipper John Sangmeister suffered a serious injury from a fall. He was treated for fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and is now recovering on the mainland. The rest of the fleet presses on toward Honolulu as the Pacific shows its teeth early.
Youth Sailing/Development
2025 Sailability Open Kicks Off in Belfast with Big Winds and Bigger Smiles (4 min read)
Over 35 sailors of all abilities hit the water for the first Sailability Open of the season at Belfast Lough, with strong winds keeping things exciting. Team Lough Erne took top honors in the Hansa class, while Tamaraid led the Hawks. It wasn’t just about racing. The BBQ and post-race hangout brought everyone together and showed why Sailability is such a powerful community builder. Two more events are coming up, and the momentum is only growing.
Cruising
The Last Safe Place? Hurricane Holes in the Caribbean Are Getting Riskier (6 min read)
Caribbean “hurricane holes” used to be the go-to hideouts for storm season, but now they’re overcrowded and unpredictable. Boats break free, turn into missiles, and even the best spots like Culebra have seen carnage. Meteorologists say Luperon in the Dominican Republic might be your best bet, with mountain protection and a perfect mangrove maze. Just don’t expect to be alone. Word is out, and the anchorage is already filling up.
Tech & Gear
How a Boat Bow Thruster Actually Works (and How to Fix One) (7 min read)
When Mike Attree’s bow thruster gave up during a tricky berthing, he dug into the guts of the system and found a corroded relay. Instead of shelling out £500 for a new one, he cleaned up the solenoids, rebuilt the unit, and got it running again. This is a proper hands-on guide for diagnosing and fixing your thruster, with tips on motors, relays, and battery setups. It’s a satisfying fix that saves cash and keeps your boat from drifting into awkward situations.
Foiling
Köster Survives Chaos and Claims 8th Pozo Title in Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup (6 min read)
Day two in Pozo was an all-out windsurfing brawl with gusts topping 50 knots and gear flying everywhere. Philip Köster lost his rig mid-final, sprinted for a backup, then threw down a perfect 10-point jump to snatch victory in a nail-biting Super Final against Marcilio Browne. Marino Gil landed on the podium again, and Liam Dunkerbeck wowed the hometown crowd with monster air. Brutal wind, wild comebacks, and a win that proves Köster still rules Pozo.
Spotlight
Peter Burling Joins Foiling Ultim for Rolex Fastnet Race (6 min read)
Peter Burling is going offshore again, this time on the blisteringly fast foiling Ultim SVR-Lazartigue for the Rolex Fastnet Race. With Tom Laperche at the helm and Franck Cammas now on board as co-skipper and performance director, the team is stacked. Burling brings Olympic medals, America’s Cups, and ocean racing chops to one of the wildest multihulls out there. This is high-stakes sailing at its finest, and Burling looks fired up to fly.
Sailing Highlight of the Day
Two days into the 2025 Transpac, Alli Bell and crew on Restless are settling in after a lumpy start, navigating tricky shifts and aiming for kite weather by morning. Meanwhile, Ava Wilson is shoreside, prepping for her first big offshore race aboard the stacked Gunboat Convexity² with pros like Charlie Enright and Simon Fisher. Expect freeze-dried meals, sleepless watches, and maybe a box of surprise Fourth of July goodies. This one’s a fun behind-the-scenes look at both ends of the adventure.