24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.

Sailing News for September 02, 2025

This week is packed with adrenaline. SailGP’s mic’d up highlight reel from Sassnitz captures the chaos of 80 km/h crashes and crew meltdowns. In offshore racing, Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink set off on their Globe40 lap of the planet, the youngest duo to try it. Dinghy drama saw the B14 Nationals crown Wonkey Donkey in Mumbles while the ILCA Northern Champs delivered capsizes galore at Pennington Flash. In Tarifa, 78 riders storm the Freestyle Youth Worlds, and cruisers get hands-on with expert advice for securing deck fittings. For our highlight, a tactical breakdown on when to tack or cross.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

“They’re not doing anything” 😱 | The Best Mic’d Up Moments from Sassnitz (8 min read)
Rudder snaps, crash calls, and crew chaos fill this Sassnitz highlight reel. The SailGP mic’d up footage puts you right in the middle of the mayhem, from USA shouting for help to GBR threading the needle with a sketchy maneuver. Between the stress, the banter, and the constant “nice job, boys,” it is pure adrenaline and proof of why SailGP is the wildest show on water. Buckle up because this one is loud, fast, and a little terrifying.

Picture perfect sailing day at Magnetic Island Race Week (6 min read)
Day 3 at Magnetic Island Race Week was all sunshine, sea breeze, and tight battles across every division. Hartbreaker’s Hobart “geriatrics” stole the show with sharp starts and smart tactics to lead Spinnaker Div 1, while Division 2’s Mika bounced back from earlier mishaps to score big. La Quinta sang its way to the top in Div 3, thanks to a guitar playing crewmate, and Division 4 turned into a three boat spinnaker showdown. Smiles, songs, and serious racing made it a magic Queensland day.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

After the storm, Lennart and Melwin set sail around the world (6 min read)
Meet Lennart Burke (26) and Melwin Fink (23), the youngest crew ever to take on the Globe40. Their eight-month, 30,000-mile lap of the planet has already been delayed by storms spun off old hurricanes, but the duo is itching to go. With a refitted Class40, big backing from new sponsors, and Boris Herrmann’s pep talk in their pocket, they’re ready to trade Lorient’s docks for ocean spray. Next stop: Cadiz, Cape Verdes, and then the world.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

North Sails Seavolution B14 Nationals 2025 at Mumbles Yacht Club – Overall (7 min read)
The B14 Nationals in Mumbles had it all, from tight racing to a storm cancelled finale to a Saturday night party that spiraled from early bed vibes into 90s classics, box game gymnastics, and even a Teletubby dance invasion. On the water, Mark Watts and Matt Johnson’s Wonkey Donkey lived up to its favorite status with a string of bullets to seal the title, while Josh Wilce and Matt Hollis took second and Mark Barnes with Jack Kilburn finished third. A wild weekend that left the fleet smiling and already hyped for Carsington and Worlds 2026.

ILCA Northern Championship at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club (6 min read)
Gusty southern winds turned the ILCA Northern Champs into a test of survival as much as speed, with more than a few sailors taking surprise swims by the clubhouse mark. Local star Lewis Bacon kept his ILCA6 upright and flying to claim four wins and the overall crown, while Ian Jones topped the ILCA7s and Lilly Brown took ILCA4 honors. Pasta, cake, and plenty of capsizes kept spirits high in a weekend that proved why Pennington Flash is both loved and feared.

Youth Sailing/Development

Freestyle Youth Worlds set for take-off in Spain (5 min read)
Tarifa is buzzing as the GKA Youth Kite World Championships kick off with 78 riders from 16 nations chasing glory in Freestyle Twin-tip and Surfboard. Germany’s Finn Flügel is the name to beat in the Boys U19 after a senior tour win in Qatar, but challengers from France, Italy, and Spain are stacked across every division. The girls’ field is smaller but fierce, with 14 year old Aya Kasabova already carrying senior tour experience. Expect tricks, wipeouts, and plenty of drama in the Levante breeze.

Tech & Gear

How to attach deck fittings securely (8 min read)
Drilling holes in your deck feels like a heart-stopper, but Rupert Holmes shows it doesn’t have to be a disaster. From penny washers to beefy aluminium backing plates, he explains how to spread loads so your winches and cleats don’t rip the deck apart. There’s also the lowdown on cores, epoxy plugs, and why silicone sealant is the devil. Whether you’re adding gear or patching old holes, this guide makes sure the only thing leaking on board is the beer.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

When port hails “Tack or cross?” the starboard boat holds the cards. Mike Ingham and Dave Reed explain why you might wave them through to keep your lane, or force a leebow if you want to bounce them the other way. The keys: call it early and loud, use clear arm signals, and have your crew prepped to either tack or duck instantly. It’s culture, not a rule, so no response means “tack” by default. Smart, simple tactics you’ll use every race.