24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.

Sailing News for July 28, 2025

This week, the 100th Rolex Fastnet Race launched with a record-breaking fleet and all the spectacle you’d expect from a centenary edition. Over in SailGP, Phil Robertson reveals what it really takes to get race-ready while Team USA continues to draw heat for lackluster results and off-the-water antics. Texans cleaned up at Marblehead, Greece dominated the Tornado Worlds, and match racing heads to Chicago. We’ve also got smart cockpit upgrades, inclusion wins in the Impact League, and pressure on the UK to clean up its waterways.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

How SailGP Athletes Actually Prepare, According to Phil Robertson (6 min read)
Phil Robertson gives an insider’s look at what it really takes to prep for a SailGP event, from jet lag recovery to last-minute boat checks. Teams dig into race footage, tweak F50 setups, and hit the water with a game plan tailored to each venue. Race day starts early, routines are personal, and the focus is laser sharp by the time they hit the start box. And once the racing is done, the work continues with teardown and team debriefs. It is all-in from start to finish.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Texans Take the Title at Marblehead and Punch Ticket to BVI (6 min read)
Team TnT from Texas made the 2,000-mile haul to Marblehead worth it, dominating the J/105 fleet and snagging a golden ticket to the Helly Hansen Caribbean Championship. They weren’t the only ones lighting it up. Father-son duo Jim and Nat Taylor squeaked out a Rhodes 19 win by a single point, while other classes saw wild shifts, lumpy seas, and tight finishes. From seasoned pros to up-and-coming youth, this year’s Marblehead Race Week delivered drama, grit, and some serious bragging rights.

Fastnet at 100: Record Fleet Launches in Style with Just 3 Retirements (4 min read)
The 100th Rolex Fastnet Race kicked off with a jaw-dropping 444-boat fleet and a rare gift from the weather gods. Sunshine, flat seas, and only three retirements on Day 1. HRH The Princess Royal fired the starting cannon and the Red Arrows roared overhead, while boats like Black Jack and Pyewacket 70 danced for position. The Ultimes are already charging ahead, and the scene in the Solent was equal parts chaos and celebration. It is a centenary start that actually lived up to the hype.

Greek Duo Dominates at 2025 Tornado Worlds in Thessaloniki (4 min read)
Ten races, tricky breeze, and one clear winner. Nikolaos Mavros and Polydoros Parianos (GRE 86) sailed a masterclass to take the Open title at the 2025 Tornado Worlds with rock-solid consistency. Czech mixed team Michaela and Marek Pavlis (CZE 72) grabbed second overall and topped both the Mixed and Youth categories. The final day saw a strong push from GRE 111 with a race win, but it wasn’t enough to shift the podium. A week of tight racing and rising talent made this one to remember.

Chicago Yacht Club Gears Up for 2025 U.S. Match Racing Championship (4 min read)
Match racing returns to the Windy City this October as the Chicago Yacht Club hosts the 2025 U.S. Match Racing Championship. With Tom 28s on the line and Lake Michigan as the battleground, expect tight tactical duels in front of that iconic skyline. CYC brings serious pedigree to the table, from the Race to Mackinac to a thriving junior program and a rich match racing history. For many, this will not feel like just another regatta. It is a homecoming.

Cruising

How to Turn Your Cockpit into Bonus Berth Space (6 min read)
David Parker turned the roomy cockpit of his Seaward 23 into extra overnight space using simple rails, plywood panels, and a bit of DIY magic. The whole setup is easy to install, stows neatly, and adds serious comfort for weekend cruising. No fancy tools or cushions needed. Just some hardwood, careful measuring, and a couple of camping mats. It is a clever upgrade that proves even small boats can sleep like big ones if you get creative.

Sustainability

US SailGP Team Scores Third in Impact League for Inclusion Efforts (4 min read)
The US SailGP Team just snagged third place in the latest round of the Impact League, this time focused on Accelerating Inclusion. With help from nonprofit partner RISE, the team ran workshops, community sailing events, and intro lessons for underserved youth in cities like LA, New York, and San Francisco. Sailors and staff did more than just show up. They shared real skills and made sailing more accessible. Prize money from the result will help keep that mission moving forward.

Ofwat to Be Scrapped in Shakeup of UK Water Sector (4 min read)
The UK government plans to scrap Ofwat and replace it with a single regulator to tackle rising water pollution and public health risks. A new commission report, backed by input from the Clean Water Sports Alliance and RYA, calls for sweeping reforms to protect recreational water users. Recommendations include tougher pollution controls, stronger public health protections, and a national water strategy. With pollution incidents spiking and pressure mounting, all eyes are on whether the government will actually follow through with real action.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Matt Sheahan reports from Hurst Narrows as the 100th Rolex Fastnet Race kicks off with a record 446 entries. The diverse fleet ranged from foiling Ultims and Ocean 50s to Class40s, Imocas, TP52s, and double-handers. Tricky light airs at the start gave smaller multihulls like Argo an early edge, but offshore, SVR Lazartigue quickly showed its horsepower. Sheahan highlights the race’s tactical complexity, generational family teams, double-handed standouts, and the significance of the Admiral’s Cup revival, where triple points are up for grabs.