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Sailing News for October 02, 2025

This week delivers speed and milestones. A new SailGP video captures Jimmy Spithill’s champagne-soaked farewell in Cádiz, as he hands the helm to Taylor Canfield. On the frozen side of sailing, DN iceboats rocket past 60 mph in a sport equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Offshore, Team Allegiant became the first all-women crew to conquer the Annapolis–Newport Race, while the Sydney–Auckland Ocean Race gears up with its final entry. Meanwhile, the RYA and CA are rallying sailors to report lobster pot hazards, and youth cats kick off their winter training at WPNSA.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Iceboating: An Adrenaline-fueled Experience (6 min read)
Forget gentle tacks on summer seas. Iceboating is sailing’s wild cousin that swaps waves for glassy ice and speedometers that edge past 60 mph. Author Alan Glos dives into the DN racing scene, recalling his first chaotic race, a homebuilt “Rails of Death” contraption, and the rush of flat-out downwind runs. With speeds that once made iceboats the fastest vehicles on Earth, it is a sport equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. One puff of wind and you are basically a rocket on skates.

First Picasso Rounds Out Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race Entries (5 min read)
The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is back this October, and RPAYC Commodore Rob McClelland is jumping in with his Jeanneau 57, First Picasso. He’s the lone entry in the new Rally for Cruisers Division, starting a week early so he can welcome the main fleet into Auckland. With 1,200 nautical miles of Tasman Sea and coastal sailing ahead, McClelland is ready for a challenge and some Picasso-inspired vibes with his tight-knit crew. This is shaping up as a proper trans-Tasman adventure.

No Pink Spinnakers Here: How Team Allegiant Defied Sailing Norms (7 min read)
In the 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race, Allegiant became the first all-women crew to complete the 475-mile offshore classic. Skipper Maryline Bossar, navigator Hannah Garbee, and watch captain Marianna Fleischman led a tight-knit team that relied on preparation, strategy, and resilience. They battled calms, near-collisions, and heavy-air spinnaker runs, proving that competence speaks louder than stereotypes. The race organizers skipped the shout-out, so the sailors told their own story and made history doing it.

Match Racing Tips for All Racers (5 min read)
Match racing guru Dave Perry is back with lessons from a summer of duels, zeroing in on the downwind game where most leads are lost or won. His concept of “downwind jail” explains how timing your gybes around the First Layline can lock an opponent out or spring you free. From fake gybes to smart simo moves, Perry breaks down the tactical chess of staying in control. Whether you’re a seasoned match racer or a weekend warrior, these tips will sharpen your downwind play.

Youth Sailing/Development

Hobie Wave Grand Prix Championships (6 min read)
The inaugural Hobie WaveGP lit up Jervis Bay with 24 sailors, perfect sea breezes, and a fleet boosted to eight boats at the last minute. After two days of round robins and a finals showdown, Jackson and Rod “Hot Rod” Waterhouse claimed the crown, edging out Matthew McKenzie on countback. With rookies, juniors, families, and legends all mixing it up, the event proved that the “beastly” Hobie Wave is just as wild and fun as any high-performance class. A grassroots regatta with serious bite.

Introducing the Women’s Race Officials Programme (4 min read)
The RYA has launched a new Women’s Race Officials Programme to boost female representation on the international stage, where women currently make up just 16 percent of top-level officials. The initiative combines technical training, mentoring, and hands-on experience to build confidence and open pathways toward international recognition. Applications are open until 22 October for women already holding an RYA qualification who want to take the next step. It is about more than rules and flags, it is about changing the face of officiating.

Nacra 15 Winter Camp 1 at WPNSA (4 min read)
Weymouth’s first Nacra 15 winter camp brought together seasoned British Sailing Youth Team sailors and newcomers for a breezy weekend of racing, skill-building, and plenty of fun. While the youth squad sharpened their medal race tactics and match racing starts, the newer crews focused on speed, trim, and confidence handling the cats. The finale saw everyone swap roles for a lively crews race before blasting back downwind to WPNSA. With the 2026 Worlds coming to Plymouth, this camp was the perfect kickoff to the season.

Cruising

Report lobster pot and fishing gear entanglement, urges CA and RYA (4 min read)
Lobster pots and fishing gear aren’t just an annoyance, they’re a real hazard. Fouled props, stranded yachts, and even groundings have all been blamed on them. Now the Cruising Association and RYA want sailors to report every tangle, near miss, or sketchy buoy through a new form. The aim is to build a database strong enough to push for change. Until then, keep your eyes sharp because those “innocent” floats can cause big trouble.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Cádiz set the stage for Jimmy Spithill’s swan song with USA SailGP, and he didn’t leave quietly. Racing alongside Taylor Canfield, the guy set to take his spot, Jimmy fought hard, outmaneuvered the Kiwis, and sailed the Americans to victory in Spain. Champagne, cheers, and a picture-perfect farewell capped it off before he heads to launch the Red Bull Italy team. If you’re going to hand over the wheel, this is how you do it.