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Sailing News for August 18, 2025

France stole the SailGP finale in Sassnitz with Quentin Delapierre’s squad mastering light airs while Britain stumbled off the foils. Meanwhile, America’s Cup protocol changes face sharp criticism from Dr. Hamish Ross, who warns secrecy and restrictions could stack the deck for the defender. Hamilton Island Race Week opened its 40th edition with sunshine, whales, and close rivalries despite light winds, while RYA Northern Ireland reports a surge in youth wins and female participation. On the cruising side, the Grand Soleil 65 Performance blends racehorse speed with custom luxury, and the SpearFish 520 proves small inflatables can be smart and fast. Today’s highlight video captures driver reactions after a wild SailGP weekend in Germany.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

France Steal the Final in Sassnitz (6 min read)
Quentin Delapierre’s French squad turned a tricky, light-air Sassnitz finale into a masterclass. Britain led early, but one wrong move off the foils opened the door for France and Australia. From there, France sniffed out a puff, stayed flying, and blasted home while the others wallowed. Clean racing, no collisions, and a proper redemption after a scrappy Day 1. The takeaway? Never count out the French when the breeze is patchy and the pressure’s on.

Opinion: Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup (6 min read)
Veteran Cup lawyer Dr. Hamish Ross isn’t buying the hype around the “boldest change in 174 years.” He warns the missing partnership agreement could sink the Protocol before it starts, secrecy is fueling suspicion, and the AI-driven ban on manual power risks turning sailors into passengers. Add tight restrictions on boats, budgets, and training, and Ross says the deck looks stacked for the defender. His message: stop tinkering with the Deed, or risk SailGP stealing the Cup’s thunder entirely.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Calm Seas and Close Rivalries Open Hamilton Island Race Week’s 40th Edition (6 min read)
Hamilton Island Race Week turned 40 with sunshine, whales, and some seriously patient sailors waiting for breeze. Once the wind filled, Americans on Bacchanal bagged an early win despite half the crew only meeting the boat two days before. Trailer yachts made the trek from NSW, Olympic 49ers kicked off a Trans-Tasman showdown, and the island put on its signature tropical welcome. Light winds today, but the Whitsunday trades are forecast to crank up later in the week.

Youth Sailing/Development

RYA Northern Ireland Annual Report 2025 (7 min read)
Northern Irish sailing is thriving, with new coaches, more volunteers, and young sailors racking up serious wins. The NI Sailing Team swept the Celtic Cup, Emily and Annabel Ridout took the RS Feva Nationals, and Hannah Dadley-Young topped the 29er Irish Nationals. Female participation hit 40% thanks to Women on Water, while fresh pathways like team racing camps and transition days kept kids hooked. Add £24.5k in athlete funding, and the future looks bright on the Loughs.

Cruising

First Look: Grand Soleil 65 Performance (5 min read)
Meet the Grand Soleil 65 Performance, an Italian-built beauty that mixes racehorse speed with custom-tailored luxury. Designed by Matteo Polli with Nauta interiors, it borrows lines from the 72 Performance, packs a self-tacking jib for shorthanded sailing, and even offers a telescopic keel option for flexibility. Sleek, fast, and dripping with bespoke style, it is a yacht you can push hard offshore and still enjoy a glass of wine in comfort after. Sustainability touches seal the deal.

Tech & Gear

SpearFish 520: Fast, Efficient Inflatable (8 min read)
Forget the chunky tender. This 17 foot SpearFish 520 packs into your car boot, inflates in 20 minutes, and planes at 17 knots with under 10hp. Its long, narrow hull slices waves cleaner than the usual short and fat inflatables, staying drier and more fuel efficient. Add a dropstitch V floor, inflatable bow canopy, and solid rowing ability, and you have a clever hybrid between kayak and dinghy. It is not a RIB, but for £2,000 it is a smart, lightweight ride with real character.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Sassnitz served up chaos and drama, and the drivers had plenty to say. Quentin Delapierre was buzzing after finally breaking France’s long win drought, even racing with a sore leg. Tom Slingsby admitted he misjudged the final but left impressed by the German crowd and the conditions. Dylan Fletcher praised his shore team for getting GBR back on the water and into the top three overall. With gusts flipping races upside down, every skipper left knowing the season is still wide open.