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Sailing News for October 20, 2025

Today’s edition dives deep into speed, survival, and skill. The F50 catamarans take center stage with a look at the cutting-edge tech driving SailGP’s 100 km/h beasts. Offshore, Sam Haynes’ Celestial crew preps for another Sydney to Hobart title run while solo sailor Eric Marsh’s dramatic man overboard recovery shakes up ocean racing safety. Plus, the Middle Sea Race intensifies off Sicily, a Greek charter turns into family bliss, and Australia’s top youth sailors get their moment in the spotlight.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

How SailGP Boats Work: Technology Behind the F50 Catamaran (6 min read)
The F50 catamaran is basically Formula 1 on water, except it’s wind-powered and hits over 100 km/h. Born from the 2017 America’s Cup AC50s, the F50s pack 125 sensors, modular wings, and electric-hydraulic control systems that fine-tune every foil move in real time. The new titanium T-Foils make them faster, safer, and smoother than ever. SailGP’s secret sauce? Every team shares their data, so the edge comes down to skill, not secrets.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

‘I thought it was all over’: Man Overboard Drama Hits Mini Globe Race 2025 (6 min read)
At 72, solo sailor Eric Marsh took a terrifying plunge overboard from Sunbear during the Mini Globe Race and somehow hauled himself back aboard. The near miss has reignited debate over automatic lifejackets, tether design, and how much safety should be personal choice in solo ocean racing. Race boss Don McIntyre says it’s a fine line between freedom and protection, and this incident just made that conversation very real.

Rolex Middle Sea Race – Leaders Raise the Tempo (6 min read)
Twenty-four hours in, the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race fleet is charging past Sicily under manageable skies and constant sail changes. Black Jack 100 has taken control on the water, while Balthasar leads on IRC corrected time after a blistering run through Messina. Behind them, Daguet 5 and Malta’s Elusive 2 are shaking up the standings with strong early form. The race is wide open, with shifting winds promising more drama before the fleet turns for home.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Celestial Crew Ready to Defend Sydney to Hobart Title (5 min read)
Sam Haynes and his star-studded Celestial crew are gearing up to defend their 2024 Sydney to Hobart win, this time on the mighty VO70 once known as Ericsson 3. With veterans like Rob Greenhalgh and Luke “Parko” Parkinson back on board, the team is fine-tuned and fired up for the 80th edition of the race. Beyond the competition, the campaign is also raising money for Assistance Dogs Australia. Fast boats, good causes, and a crew stacked with legends, this one’s all heart and horsepower.

Cruising

First-Time Charter Holiday with Family (8 min read)
Katy Stickland trades her ocean miles for a Sunsail week in Greece with her non-sailing twin and brother-in-law, and it’s a total win. Between Ionian sunsets, quiet coves, and the occasional fouled anchor, the rookie crew quickly find their sea legs. From hilltop tavernas in Sivota to swims off Ithaca, the trip goes from “camping on the sea” to pure paradise. By the end, everyone’s already planning the next charter.

Spotlight

Youth Sailor of the Year Finalists for 2025 Australian Sailing Awards (5 min read)
Three rising stars are up for Australia’s Youth Sailor of the Year title: WASZP ace Louis Tilly, Cadet World Champion Joshua Garner, and iQFOiL World Champion Rory Meehan. Between them, they’ve stacked up world titles, national wins, and international respect. From foiling boards to match racing, this trio proves the future of Aussie sailing is fast, versatile, and seriously competitive. The winner will be crowned November 14 in Sydney, and it’s going to be a tough call.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Former top-10 ILCA sailor and Aussie coach Ash Brunning sits down with Dan Self to unpack how he climbed from Coffs Harbour club racing to the world stage and then helped others do the same. He talks training volume, curiosity, and why your boat should feel like an extension of you. Expect gold nuggets on planning, mindset, and marginal gains, plus stories of lessons learned alongside Tom Slingsby, Rasmus Myrgren, and Michael Blackburn. A must-listen for anyone chasing real performance.