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Sailing News for February 19, 2026

two teams, a first ever split fleet format on Sunday, multiple crews cracking 100 km/h and Australia snapping its win drought in conditions that tested everyone, while the U.S. quietly reminded the fleet it can still win races when the starts line up. Shoreside, the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show is shaping up as a proper gear playground with Barton Marine rolling out price cuts, lightweight furlers and knot tying chaos for brave visitors. Practical boat life gets a back to basics touch with a sharp guide to restoring chisels and plane irons to razor condition, and the day closes on a lighter note with the Birdyfish S showing that foiling does not have to mean white knuckles, offering lift, stability and genuine accessibility for sailors ready to try flying without the drama.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

5 Things You Missed At The Auckland Sail Grand Prix (5 min read)
Auckland had chaos, records, and a bit of awkward champagne. After Saturday’s brutal NZ–France crash sidelined two teams, SailGP split the fleet Sunday in a first ever format shakeup. Three crews cracked 100 km/h, Glenn Ashby came off the bench at 48 and casually stole the spotlight, and Australia finally snapped its win drought, even if beating the Kiwis without the Kiwis felt slightly hollow. Oh, and the U.S. remembered how to win a fleet race. Sydney’s about to get spicy.

Youth Sailing/Development

Price Reductions, Innovative Products and Competitions make Barton Marine a Dinghy Show must visit (3 min read)
If you’re heading to the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Stand P24 is basically pocket money danger zone. Barton Marine is rolling in with price cuts on its ever reliable Windicator, a slick new 175g Continuous Line Furler, and enough blocks and cleats to refit your boat twice. They’re also daring you to “Beat the Barton Block Clock” for a £50 voucher, which sounds easy until your fingers forget how knots work under pressure. Gear, deals, and a bit of chaos. What’s not to like?

Tech & Gear

How to sharpen a chisel and plane iron (2 min read)
If your chisel looks like it’s been used to demolish a bathroom, don’t bin it. This is a no nonsense guide to getting it back to razor sharp with nothing more than an oilstone, light oil and a bit of patience. Julian Peckham walks through squaring the tip, grinding a proper 30° bevel, and honing it until it’ll slice end grain like butter. The payoff? Safer cuts, cleaner work, and tools that actually do their job instead of fighting you.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

The Birdyfish S is what happens when someone decides foiling should be fun, not terrifying. This single sail catboat pops onto the foil in minutes, stays surprisingly stable, and even makes a foiling gybe feel achievable on your first session. It tops out around 20 knots, so it’s quick without being wild, and you barely touch the controls once flying. Add an integrated launch trolley and a €16,800 price tag, and it’s clearly aimed at clubs and curious sailors ready to lift off.