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Sailing News for October 07, 2025

This week, momentum and reflection take center stage. Team Germany proved they belong among SailGP’s best with another podium in Cadiz, while Dylan Fletcher’s British team still lead the title chase. Inshore, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez wrapped in style as 3,000 sailors mixed modern muscle with classic grace, and Britain’s young duo grabbed silver at the Offshore Double Handed Worlds. Olympic sailing faces a turning point as debates heat up over new “TV friendly” formats. On the cruising front, Italia Yachts launched its sleek IY 16.98 flagship, and Western Australia’s finest were honored at the state sailing awards.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Germany Goes Full Throttle in Cádiz (4 min read)
Team Germany is officially out of the rookie zone and into the SailGP elite. After winning in Geneva, Erik Heil’s crew kept the heat on in Cádiz, blasting into another final and grabbing third behind Britain and New Zealand. A questionable jury call couldn’t slow them down, and Sunday’s light winds played right into their hands. Two straight finals, sharp starts, and growing confidence show that Germany is now the real deal.

Time to Find a Better Business Model (3 min read)
John Harris argues that elite sailing’s chase for viewers and Olympic funding isn’t helping grow the sport. From SailGP to the America’s Cup, he says the focus on spectacle over participation misses the mark. He calls for a reset that decouples World Sailing from the Olympics and redirects support toward programs that actually get people sailing. His message is simple and sharp: the sport needs more sailors, not more spectators.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Stir It Up in St. Thomas (6 min read)
The St. Thomas International Regatta brought perfect trade winds, tight racing, and plenty of island flavor as 21 IC24s went head-to-head. Local skipper Teddy Nicolosi stole the show with seven wins, while writer Dave Reed’s crew found themselves locked in a hilarious grudge match with their pink-boat rivals, Voila. Between midrace pizza runs, father-son sailing moments, and postrace rum sessions, STIR proved it’s less about trophies and more about unforgettable stories on the turquoise water.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez – A Finale Filled with Contrasts (5 min read)
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez wrapped up in style with fireworks, markets, and fierce racing across the Gulf. Karel Komarek’s Wallycento V dominated the Maxi 1 class with four wins, while Django and Twin Soul B topped their fleets in a week of tight battles. Classic yachts like Cambria and Spartan shone in lighter winds as tradition met modern speed. With 3,000 sailors, champagne conditions, and a buzzing Tropezian vibe, this 27th edition was pure Mediterranean magic.

Silver Success for GBR at Offshore Double Handed Worlds (5 min read)
Britain’s Zeb Fellows and Willow Bland grabbed silver at the Offshore Double Handed World Championships in Cowes after a nail-biting finish decided by just ten seconds. Racing in identical Sun Fast 30s against 21 international teams, the young duo showed guts and composure in shifting Solent breezes. France’s Théa Khelif and Thomas André took gold, while Uruguay scored its first-ever podium. For Fellows and Bland, the result marked a breakout moment and a glimpse of a bright future in offshore sailing.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Crossroads Moment for Olympic Sailing (6 min read)
Olympic sailing is facing a reckoning as World Sailing considers major format changes to make the sport more “TV-friendly.” Mark Jardine and Olympian Micky Beckett warn that chasing short attention spans could destroy what makes the sport unique. The push for one-race finals and high-risk drama, they argue, turns skill and consistency into luck. Sailing’s challenge isn’t spectacle, it’s storytelling, and if the Olympics forget that, they risk losing the very sailors who make it special.

Youth Sailing/Development

2025 WA Sailing Awards Celebrates the Best of Western Australia (4 min read)
Western Australia’s sailing community packed Nedlands Yacht Club to honor a standout year on and off the water. Royal Freshwater Bay YC and Geographe Bay YC took home top club honors, while Zac Littlewood and Zoe Thomson claimed Sailors of the Year. Rising stars Angus and Alasdair Cameron earned Youth Sailor of the Year, and Genevieve Wickham won Para Sailor of the Year. With record attendance and plenty of local pride, the night showed WA sailing is thriving from juniors to veterans.

Cruising

Italia Yachts Premieres IY 16.98 Sailing Flagship (4 min read)
Italia Yachts made waves in Genoa with the debut of its new flagship, the IY 16.98. Built for bluewater cruising, it pairs strong performance with real-world comfort, featuring a tender garage, dual-voltage systems, and full climate control. Early trials showed the yacht slicing through light and heavy air with steady balance and speed. While the company expands into powerboats, the 16.98 proves Italia Yachts still knows how to build a proper sailor’s boat that looks as good as it sails.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Coach Vaughn Harrison explains how to stay balanced and fast downwind in a Laser by keeping your body loose, mobile, and comfortable. He walks through light, medium, and heavy wind positions and shows how weight shifts create acceleration and control. The key is to stay dynamic, keep both hands ready for trimming, and move fluidly across the boat. Smooth, confident motion keeps the Laser balanced and lets you surf faster and more efficiently.