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Sailing News for April 27, 2026

Racing stayed on a knife edge in Sardinia as Team Nika scraped out a win at the 44Cup Puntaldia after a final day where positions flipped constantly, while GeMera Racing quietly came away with the overall series lead by playing the long game. Meanwhile in Hyères, the Olympic circuit is starting to show clearer form lines, with Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona backing up their Palma win with another controlled victory to cement themselves as the team to beat, while standout performers like Lauriane Nolot and Max Maeder continued their early-season dominance across classes. It’s a contrast of styles, tight, chaotic fleet racing versus measured consistency at the top, but both are delivering results. Away from the racecourse, boats like the Storm 22 show there’s still strong appeal in simple, versatile designs that blend performance with practicality. Across the board, the message is clear, whether you’re winning by inches or building momentum over weeks, consistency is doing the heavy lifting right now.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Team Nika wins 44Cup Puntaldia but GeMera gains the golden wheels (4 min read)
Team Nika held their nerve to win a ridiculously tight 44Cup Puntaldia, scraping through after a shaky final day where anything could’ve flipped. Aleph Racing pushed hard but had to settle for second, while GeMera Racing quietly played the long game and now leads the overall series. Light winds, wild shifts, and constant lead changes made this one messy and fun. Basically, blink and you lost five places.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

57th French Olympic Week in Hyères – Day 5 (6 min read)
Hyères delivered a proper mixed-bag test, and the top names still came out on top. Lauriane Nolot and Max Maeder kept their hot streak alive, winning both Palma and Hyères to lock in early-season dominance. In iQFOiL, Marta Maggetti and Grae Morris battled through messy finals to take the titles. Light winds, big breeze, and everything in between, this week had it all, and consistency was the real superpower.

Xammar and Cardona Crowned Champions of French Olympic Week 2026 (4 min read)
Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona locked down Hyères with a smart, controlled final day, backing up their Palma win and confirming they’re the team to beat right now. Instead of going all-out, they played it safe and managed the fleet like pros. The British pair stayed close but couldn’t close the gap, while the French grabbed a home podium. Two big wins in a row and building fast, this duo is heating up at the perfect time.

Cruising

Storm 22: the spirited performer that will satisfy racers and cruisers (6 min read)
The Storm 22 is that rare small boat that actually does both jobs properly, quick enough to race but chill enough for a weekend away. It’s light, lively, and a bit twitchy if you push it, but rewardingly fast when trimmed right. You can spec it for flat-water racing or tougher coastal sailing, which makes it surprisingly versatile for a 22-footer. Down below it’s simple but comfy enough to crash for the night. Not a lazy sailor’s boat, but a fun one if you like a bit of feel.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

This is the start of a solo run from Florida to the Bahamas, and it’s equal parts prep grind and quiet adventure. The skipper gets the boat dialed with a haul-out, sea trial, and a lot of small fixes before heading down the ICW toward Marathon. It’s not glamorous yet, more real-life cruising where you’re juggling maintenance, weather, and figuring things out as you go. If you like the slower, honest side of sailing, this one hits.