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Sailing News for October 10, 2025

This week blends speed, spirit, and innovation across every corner of the sport. Beneteau’s new First 30 brings planing fun to the cruising crowd, while Galateia clinches the Mediterranean Maxi Challenge after a season of comeback wins. On Lake Garda, the 2.4mR Worlds shine with tight racing and heartwarming inclusion. Cruisers follow Migration’s soulful voyage through Japan, and sailors everywhere explore cleaner, faster biocide-free antifouling tech. Add in Diego Botin’s foiling obsession and the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 Worlds heating up in Cagliari, and you’ve got a week where sailing’s passion and progress are on full display.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Beneteau First 30 Review: The Affordable Planing Cruiser That’s Fun and Fast (10 min read)
Beneteau’s new First 30 might just be sailing’s carving ski moment. Designed by Sam Manuard and built by Seascape, this 30-footer planes easily, hits 13 knots with a grin, and keeps the price tag near €100k. It’s light, simple, and pure fun, no need for Olympic skills or a carbon wallet. Sure, it heels hard and storage is tight, but who cares when you’re planing in a T-shirt? This is affordable speed that might make cruising cool again.

Galateia Claims 2025 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge (5 min read)
Galateia stole the show at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, ending Wallyño’s streak to win the 2025 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge. The 100-footer, co-owned by David M Leuschen and Chris Flowers, bounced back from a start-line collision and still clinched the title by just seven points over Wallycento V. After a dominant season capped by a Rolex Maxi Worlds win, Galateia now heads for the Caribbean circuit, proving she’s not just fast but fiercely resilient.

2025 2.4mR World Championship at Fraglia Vela Malcesine – Day 1 (4 min read)
The 2025 2.4mR World Championship kicked off on Lake Garda with perfect Ora breeze conditions and three tight races. Jeffrey Linton leads after day one, with Mikael Stuen Bekkevold and Megan Pascoe close behind. Beyond the competition, the event opened with a touching show of inclusivity as local guests joined the fleet to experience adaptive sailing up close. With golden light, good beer, and close racing, the spirit of Garda and the 2.4mR class shone bright.

Cruising

Sailing Japan: A Voyage of Friendship and Discovery (9 min read)
When Bruce Balan and Alene Rice sailed their vintage trimaran Migration back to her birthplace in Japan, they found far more than stunning coastlines. From manta rays in Okinawa to late-night onsens in Hiroshima, every port brought new friendships, gifts, and unforgettable kindness. Japan’s marinas, fishing harbors, and quiet anchorages offered a mix of tradition and adventure that few cruising grounds can match. Their takeaway: Japan is not just a destination, it is an embrace.

Sustainability

Your Best Biocide-Free Antifouling Options (9 min read)
The age of copper and toxins might finally be ending. PBO dives into the new wave of antifouling tech, from slick silicone coatings like Hempel Silic One and Seajet Bioclean Eco to ultrasonic gizmos and even shark-skin-style films. These foul-release and biomimetic options are proving they can outshine copper without poisoning the water. The verdict: biocide-free hulls aren’t just greener, they’re faster, cleaner, and the future of keeping your boat slime-free.

Foiling

Njoying the New Toy (6 min read)
Spain’s Diego Botín is having a moment. Between chasing SailGP podiums and Olympic medals, he’s geeking out on the Moth, fine-tuning designs with Gonzalo Redondo’s development team and testing new Doyle sails. After a ninth at the Worlds in Garda, he’s hooked on the tech and the thrill. Botín calls the Moth “a small America’s Cup,” and judging by his obsession with speed, foils, and constant tinkering, it’s clear he’s just getting started.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Day three in Cagliari turned up the breeze and the drama. Italy’s Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei blasted into the Nacra 17 lead with two wins, while Britain’s Gimson and Burnet slipped to second. In the 49erFX, Sweden’s Vilma Bobeck and Ebba Berntsson shocked the fleet to lead after only three weeks sailing together, tied with Canada’s Lewin-LaFrance sisters. Australia’s Jack Ferguson and Jack Hildebrand top the 49er leaderboard as gold fleet racing looms. The title fight is officially on.