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Sailing News for August 15, 2025

Germany’s SailGP team aims for a home-water breakthrough in Sassnitz as 11,000 fans line the chalk cliffs, while “Five Things to Watch” sets the stage for a flat-water, high-speed showdown. The 2027 America’s Cup in Naples will feature equal governance among all teams, smaller AC75 crews, budget caps, and mandatory female sailors. On Lake Garda, Mark Bulka wins a dramatic, three-way-tied Contender Worlds for his fifth crown. Cruising news includes Bali’s spacious new 5.2 catamaran and a couple’s global voyage turned citizen science mission. Plus, history buffs get a 90-year look back at Sydney’s iconic 18ft Skiffs, and in today’s video, NorthStar Canada rebounds from its toughest SailGP weekend yet.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

The Right Moment for a Big Splash (4 min read)
Germany’s SailGP team is gunning for a breakthrough as the high-speed foiling catamarans hit Sassnitz for the first time. Think chalk cliffs instead of skyscrapers, stadium-style viewing, and speeds pushing 100 km/h right in front of 11,000 fans. The crew, co-owned by Sebastian Vettel, has been training hard to shake off a rough season and finally make the three-boat final. Big home crowd, big prize money, and a shot to make the whole country ask: “What was that?”

America’s Cup 2027 Teams to Share Equal Governance Under New Partnership (4 min read)
The 2027 America’s Cup in Naples will see all competing teams share equal control through the new America’s Cup Partnership, aiming to boost global growth and stability for the event. The AC75 foiling monohulls stay, but with new twists: at least one female sailor on board, a €75M team budget cap, and smaller five-person crews with more battery-powered systems. Nationality rules require three nationals per team, leaving room for two international sailors. Organizers hope the new structure brings long-term continuity to the sport’s oldest trophy.

SailGP: Five Things to Watch in Sassnitz (4 min read)
SailGP hits Germany for the first time as Sassnitz hosts the eighth event of Season 5, with 11,000 fans expected along the harbor wall. Forecasts promise flat water and up to 18 knots, setting the stage for high-speed, tight racing as New Zealand clings to a slim two-point lead over Australia. Watch for a fired-up Aussie squad still stinging from a controversial penalty, a mysterious Sunday fly-by, and home team Germany chasing its first points. Racing runs August 16–17 at 3:30–5:00 pm CEST.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Contender Worlds Sees 167 Boats (4 min read)
ake Garda delivered a once-in-a-generation Contender World Championship with 167 boats from 12 nations, including seven past world champs. After five days of mixed winds, protests, capsizes, and Garda’s famous pasta parties, Australia’s Mark Bulka clinched his fifth world title in a dramatic three-way tie with Italy’s Antonio Lambertini and Britain’s Graeme Willcox. Bulka’s consistency proved decisive, while rising stars like Sam Ellis and Pim Van Vugt turned heads. With youth, masters, and women’s titles also awarded, the class now sets sights on Medemblik 2026.

Cruising

First Look: Bali 5.2 Brings Big-Cat Comfort to the 52-Foot Class (4 min read)
Bali’s new 5.2 slots neatly between the 5.8 flagship and smaller models, packing the brand’s signature open-living layout into a 52-footer. Expect the trademark solid foredeck, up-and-over saloon door, and huge social spaces, plus flexible layouts from a private owner’s version to a six-cabin, 16-berth charter setup. Luxe touches include a rooftop lounge, BeachClub-style swim platform, and an apartment-inspired interior. Making its U.S. debut at Annapolis in October, it’s aimed at cruisers who want comfort, versatility, and plenty of room for a crowd.

Sustainability

The Ocean Citizen Science Being Carried Out on Yachts (4 min read)
Cruising couple Larissa Clark and Duncan Copeland are turning their family’s world voyage into a floating science lab. From dropping Secchi Disks to measure water clarity to towing nets for bizarre plankton to logging whale sightings that help prevent ship strikes, they’re proving everyday sailors can collect game-changing ocean data. Their non-profit, Free Range Ocean, now connects cruisers with projects worldwide. It’s proof that you don’t need a lab coat to help save the seas, just a boat, curiosity, and maybe a sturdy bucket.

Mapping the Nation’s Blue Spaces (4 min read)
A new Environment Agency report, backed by the RYA and Clean Water Sports Alliance, has mapped over 3,300 recreational water sites in England, far more than the 451 officially designated as bathing waters. The data shows that people sail, paddle, swim, and row in many more locations, and for more of the year, than current regulations cover. With inland events starting in April and coastal activity continuing into winter, campaigners are calling for broader “recreational water” protections to keep these blue spaces clean and accessible.

Tech & Gear

How I Made My Own DIY Fridge (4 min read)
When Richard Hare rebuilt the galley on his Westerly Konsort, he ditched the useless cold box and built a proper fridge from scratch. Using ply, epoxy, serious insulation, and an Isotherm conversion kit, he created a compact, super-efficient box that can even be switched off at night. Bonus points: it’s sized for essential bottles of Suze and pastis. His last DIY fridge lasted 25 years without a hitch, so this one’s set to keep the drinks cold for decades.

Spotlight

18ft Skiffs – Australian 18 Footers League (4 min read)
The Australian 18 Footers League has been packing Sydney Harbour with thrills, crowds, and drama for 90 years. Born in 1935 after a boat-design feud, the League pioneered Sunday racing, drew thousands of fans on ferries, and turned skiff sailing into a spectator sport. From world championships in wild gales to legendary skippers and game-changing sponsors, it’s a history of innovation and showmanship. Now, with live streaming and a global fleet, the 18s are set for another high-speed, spray-filled season starting October 12.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

NorthStar Canada hit rock bottom in Portsmouth with shaky starts, penalties, and a near-miss “black flag” incident that almost cut another boat in half. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The crew doubled down on fitness testing, bonded over backyard barbecues, and even planted eelgrass with local kids for the Impact League. By Sunday they’d found their groove with cleaner starts and a podium finish, proving the comeback is already in motion heading into the European leg.