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Sailing News for October 23, 2025

Today’s edition packs high-speed action and big ambition. Johnie Berntsson storms to the top at the Bermuda Gold Cup after a flawless day, while Matt Wearn launches his LA 2028 campaign aiming for an Olympic three-peat. Offshore, the Rolex Middle Sea Race delivers calm, chaos, and heartbreak off Lampedusa, and the World Odyssey rally fleet begins its global adventure. Add in the rise of giant performance multihulls, Brisbane’s summer boat expo, and Andrew Campbell’s inside look at SailGP strategy, and you’ve got sailing at every scale.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Berntsson Battles to the Top After Flawless Day at Gold Cup (6 min read)
Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson stormed back into form at the Bermuda Gold Cup, winning all four of his races to grab a share of the lead with Switzerland’s Eric Monnin. His duel with Chris Poole turned into a penalty-filled thriller that Berntsson somehow escaped on top. In the women’s event, Anna Östling and Pauline Courtois are once again locked in an intense showdown, both showing why they’re the ones to beat. It’s tight, tactical, and fiery match racing in Hamilton Harbour.

Rolex Middle Sea Race Day 5: Fast Finishers Versus the Lampedusa Lockdown (7 min read)
The 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race is delivering all the drama, with only 15 boats finished and most of the fleet stuck in a windless nightmare off Lampedusa. Balthasar still leads overall after fending off fierce challenges from Daguet 5 and Django Deer, both missing victory by minutes. Swiss multihull Allegra claimed line honors, finally conquering her unfinished business in Malta. For the rest, it’s a waiting game as the wind gods decide who gets to escape the Lampedusa lockdown and who stays parked.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Matt Wearn Confirms LA2028 Campaign as He Chases Historic Three-Peat (6 min read)
Double Olympic champion Matt Wearn is back in the ILCA7, officially launching his campaign for LA 2028 and a shot at an unprecedented third straight gold. After 15 months off to reset and rediscover his love for sailing, Wearn says he’s returning refreshed, focused, and ready to enjoy the journey this time. Now 30, he’s both mentor and rival to a new generation of Aussie sailors and will kick off his comeback at Sail Melbourne later this year.

Cruising

How I Survived a Fouled Propeller in a Crowded Marina (8 min read)
When Alan England’s Moody 376 lost all power in a tight Maltese marina, things got chaotic fast. A fouled prop, an angry neighbor, and a distracted rescuer on his phone turned a routine move into a full-blown adventure. Luckily, a whistle, quick thinking, and a bit of Poseidon’s mercy saved the day. It’s a salty reminder that even seasoned sailors can have a comedy of errors when the prop stops spinning.

World Odyssey 25 Rally Sets Sail from La Grande Motte (5 min read)
The second World Odyssey rally has officially left La Grande Motte, kicking off a three-year, 35,000-mile circumnavigation for a fleet of Outremer, Allures, Garcia, RM, and Gunboat yachts. After croissants and goodbyes, crews are bound for Tangier and Lanzarote before the grand departure in November. Organized by Grand Large Yachting, the event mixes adventure and preparation, offering extensive training and a choice of tropical or southern routes. It’s global cruising with a built-in community—and plenty of baguettes.

Tech & Gear

Supercats, Maxicats, Megacats: The Rise of Giant Performance Multihulls (9 min read)
Big cats are getting seriously wild. From Gunboat’s 80-foot rocket ship to Sunreef’s 140-foot solar-powered palace, the next generation of luxury multihulls blends raw speed with superyacht comfort. Builders like Persico, Baltic, and HH are pushing limits with carbon builds, foils, and high-tech rigs, while Lagoon and JFA double down on comfort and space. Whether you want to blast across oceans or lounge in a floating penthouse, the new supercats promise both pace and plush.

Brisbane’s Get Onboard Boat Expo is Back for Summer (3 min read)
Brisbane’s only Boat Expo is making a splash this November at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than the winter edition. Expect everything from shiny new yachts to fishing boats, inflatable pontoons, and a lively “Treasures from the Bilge” carboot sale. With on-water displays, sailing demos, and even a marine jobs panel from the BIA, it’s a free, hands-on weekend for anyone who loves boats or just wants to get out on the water.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Andrew Campbell breaks down what it’s really like to be the brains of the U.S. SailGP Team. As strategist, he’s part tactician and part air traffic controller, reading wind, boats, and geometry at 50 knots while keeping everyone synced. His goal is simple: help his teammates sail faster and smarter. It’s a glimpse into the high-speed chess match happening aboard every F50.