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Sailing News for July 17, 2025

Team GBR claimed one gold and three silvers at the Olympic Sailing Grand Slam in Long Beach, signaling a strong start to their Paris 2024 prep. The Rolex Fastnet is stacked with IMOCA talent, including multiple Vendée veterans and rising stars in foil-ready machines. The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta wrapped with sunshine, tight racing, and prize shelves overflowing. Plus, sailors worldwide are being asked to report whale strikes in a first step toward reducing marine collisions.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2025 Celebrates Top Sailing Talents (5 min read)
Sunshine, stacked fleets, and champagne sailing marked the 2025 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, where nearly 350 boats lit up Dublin Bay. Outrajeous added yet another trophy to its already packed shelf, while Checkmate XX cleaned up the Coastal Series with a flawless run. Chris Johnston’s Prospect claimed Boat of the Week, and Swuzzlebubble took top visitor honors. From classic yachts to fresh one-design battles, it was a weekend full of standouts and silverware. And yes, there are plenty of prizegiving photos to scroll.

Admiral’s Cup Opener: RORC Channel Race 2025 (4 min read)
The 2025 Admiral’s Cup kicks off this weekend with the high-stakes, double-points RORC Channel Race, and teams are feeling the heat. With no discard allowed, a strong start is essential if anyone wants to stay in the hunt. Over 70 boats will be on the line, including foiling MOD70s Argo and Zoulou in a rare multihull clash. The course will be set just before the start, so expect tactics, surprises, and a proper offshore showdown in the Solent.

IMOCAs in the Rolex Fastnet Race: Ocean Racing’s State of the Art (6 min read)
The Rolex Fastnet Race is set for another epic showdown as a stacked IMOCA fleet lines up without reigning champ Charlie Dalin, who’s out for health reasons. That opens the door for contenders like Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa and rising star Elodie Bonafous on a brand-new Verdier design. Legends like Jérémie Beyou, Sam Davies, and Justine Mettraux return with serious talent onboard. With foils flying, rookies rising, and three female skippers in the mix, this year’s edition is pure offshore firepower with a point to prove.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

RS Aero UK National Championship and International Open 2025 (3 min read)
The RS Aero Nationals are back at Weymouth this August, and it’s shaping up to be a serious end-of-summer showdown. All four Aero classes will race side by side over four days on the same waters that hosted the 2012 Olympics. Expect tight racing, epic views, and a healthy dose of post-race socials to keep the vibes high. Charter boats are available, so if you want in, now’s the time to lock it down.

4 Medals – 1 Gold, 3 Silver – for GBR at Olympic Sailing Grand Slam (3 min read)
Team GBR came out swinging at the opening stage of the Olympic Sailing Grand Slam in Long Beach, bagging one gold and three silvers. Micky Beckett took top honors in ILCA 7, with teammate Elliot Hanson right behind him. Hannah Snellgrove claimed silver in ILCA 6, and Connor Bainbridge powered his way to second in the men’s Formula Kite. With the skiff and foiling fleets still to race, this was a strong start to what could be a big medal haul for the Brits.

Youth Sailing/Development

Sailability Hong Kong Reaches Impressive Steering the Course Milestone (2 min read)
Sailability Hong Kong just hit a major milestone, engaging 600 female sailors and nearly 250 volunteers over five years through World Sailing’s Steering the Course initiative. Their latest week-long push included everyone from first-timers to para sailors and even a pair of octogenarian newbies. From Optimists to a 40-foot Solaris racing in the Ladies’ Regatta, the program proves sailing really is for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. It’s a heartwarming example of access, inclusion, and pure joy on the water.

Cruising

Pegasus 50: Top 10 Best Boats 2026 Nominee (6 min read)
The Pegasus 50 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s exactly why it works. This sleek Slovenian-built cruiser blends classic bluewater sensibility with clever, modern innovation. Highlights include a gimbaled saloon, carbon hardtop with a moonroof, and a tandem keel straight out of the America’s Cup playbook. It’s built for serious passagemaking, not marina showboating, and every inch is designed with real sailors in mind. If you want thoughtful design and standout performance, this one’s worth a closer look.

Sustainability

Sailors Urged to Report Collisions with Whales and Other Marine Life (3 min read)
A new global survey is calling on sailors to report any collisions with whales, orcas, and other marine life in an effort to map out strike hotspots and reduce future incidents. Right now, the sailing world lacks any formal reporting system, so most cases fly under the radar. The Marine Mammal Advisory Group wants to change that and build a better picture of where and why these impacts happen. If you’ve had a close call or worse, now’s the time to speak up.

Tech & Gear

6 Boundary-Pushing and Innovative Superyachts Revealed in 2025 (6 min read)
From silent hybrid catamarans to ultra-sleek sloops that slide under Panamax bridges, the 2025 lineup of superyachts is packed with bold ideas. Oyster’s 805 brings shoal-draft cruising to the luxury crowd, while Maverick shows off fuel-free passagemaking with Dynarig style. Sunreef’s solar-covered cat gets a plunge pool, and Baltic Yachts jumps into the 100-foot multihull game. Whether you’re into performance, planet-friendly tech, or just plush interiors, this new fleet proves the superyacht world isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

The Ocean Race just dropped a hype video for its Europe 2025 edition, and it’s a full send of speed, resilience, and defiance. This 60-second shot of adrenaline reminds us that offshore racing isn’t just about boats and breeze. It’s about challenging limits, racing with purpose, and proving that yes, sport can connect a continent and drive real change. Buckle up.