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Sailing News for October 09, 2025

This week brings power, progress, and courage across the sailing world. SailGP’s Cadiz showdown delivered speed and drama as Emirates GBR took another win, Germany hit their stride, and Brazil lit up the stats. The 38th America’s Cup rules dropped, bringing reused hulls, mixed crews, and stored energy systems for Naples 2027. Offshore hero Charlie Dalin revealed he conquered the Vendée Globe while battling cancer, proving unmatched grit at sea. Olympic sailing gets tested for LA28, and Australian clubs open doors with new radio-controlled yacht programs. Finally, cruising fans revisit the Oyster 406 and other timeless bluewater classics.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

5 Things You Missed In Cádiz (5 min read)
Cádiz had it all – chaos, comebacks, and killer speed. Emirates GBR bagged their third win of the season with a gutsy move past New Zealand, while the U.S. notched their best points haul yet. Germany kept their hot streak alive with another Final, and Brazil lit it up with a data-backed race win that proved their pace is no fluke. With Abu Dhabi up next and just five points splitting the top three, the SailGP Season 5 finale is shaping up to be pure fireworks.

AC75 Class Rules Released for 38th America’s Cup (5 min read)
The new AC75 rules for Naples 2027 are here, and they’re all about tighter racing, smarter foils, and more inclusion. Teams will reuse hulls from the last Cup to save costs and shift focus to foil and systems innovation. Cyclors are out, stored energy systems are in, and every five-person crew must include at least one female sailor. Add in a returning Guest Racer spot and mixed training on AC40s, and the 38th America’s Cup just got a lot more interesting.

Making Noise Amid the Sounds of Silence (3 min read)
The lead-up to the 2027 America’s Cup has been unusually quiet, with only the Kiwis and Brits confirmed to race. Cutting through that silence is the return of the Argo Challenge, aiming to field a mixed team of sailors with physical disabilities. Led by Olympic medalist Lars Grael, the group believes the AC75 class can be sailed safely and competitively by adaptive athletes. It is a bold push for inclusion that could bring fresh energy to an otherwise muted Cup cycle.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Vendée Globe Record-Breaker Charlie Dalin Won Gruelling Race After Cancer Diagnosis (6 min read)
In an extraordinary twist to his record-breaking Vendée Globe victory, Charlie Dalin has revealed he raced and won while undergoing cancer treatment. Diagnosed with a gastrointestinal tumour in 2023, the French skipper quietly battled through fatigue and pain to shatter the course record by 10 days, finishing in just over 64 hours. His autobiography La Force du Destin shares how the illness reshaped his mindset: calm, grateful, and unstoppable. A stunning reminder of grit, grace, and pure ocean-racing spirit.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

ILCA LA28 Olympic Format Test Event: Shaping the Future of Olympic Sailing (4 min read)
Vilamoura is hosting a key test event that could redefine Olympic sailing for Los Angeles 2028. Top ILCA sailors, coaches, and officials are teaming up to trial new race formats, course setups, and event structures over five days. The goal is to create faster, fairer, and more engaging racing that connects better with fans and future athletes. It is a behind-the-scenes experiment that could reshape how Olympic sailing looks and feels in just three years.

Youth Sailing/Development

Introducing a More Inclusive Way to Sail: Try Radio-Controlled Yachts (4 min read)
Australian Sailing is taking a fresh tack with a new radio-controlled yacht program designed to make sailing more accessible. Backed by Queensland’s ActiveKIT funding, the initiative puts DF65 RC boats into clubs across the state, inviting everyone from older sailors to newcomers and people with limited mobility to join the fun. It is low-impact, social, and full of strategy, proving you do not need to leave the dock to get hooked on sailing.

Cruising

Comparing the Oyster 406 and 7 Other Designs (8 min read)
Love a centre cockpit cruiser? Rupert Holmes dives into eight classics that defined comfort at sea before modern wide-beam designs took over. From the stately Oyster 406 to the teak-free Amel Sharki, each yacht offers a masterclass in liveaboard practicality and offshore poise. The takeaway? These 40-foot icons may hail from the ’80s, but their solid builds, smart layouts, and quiet anchor manners still make them seriously tempting for long-distance dreamers.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Day two in Cagliari brought light winds, tight racing, and a few surprises. Norway’s Pia Dahl Andersen and Nora Edland grabbed the 49erFX lead despite Edland racing while sick, while Poland dominated the 49er fleet with a one-two finish. In the Nacra 17s, Britain’s John Gimson and Anna Burnet held their edge as the fleet heads into Gold Fleet racing. Ten nations sit inside the top ten, and it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Worlds in years.