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Sailing News for July 18, 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.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Fans Are Betting on the Kiwis to Win in Portsmouth (3 min read)
SailGP fans are backing Peter Burling’s New Zealand to take the win in Portsmouth, with 25.5% of the vote edging out Emirates GBR on home turf. Spain might be leading the season, but they only got 5.8% of fan support. With Portsmouth making its SailGP debut, there’s little home advantage to go around and a level playing field could shake things up. Racing kicks off July 19 with seven fleet races and a three-boat final. Buckle up, this one could get spicy.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

The Admiral’s Cup Is Back and Ireland’s Gunning for Glory (4 min read)
The legendary Admiral’s Cup returns this Saturday, and Ireland is sending in the big guns. Ron O’Hanley’s turbo-charged Cookson 50 Privateer teams up with Tom Kneen’s Fastnet-winning Sunrise IV to represent the Royal Irish Yacht Club. These boats are stacked with offshore royalty like Ian Walker, Juggy Clougher, and Eddie Warden Owen. Ireland has come heartbreakingly close before, and this time, they’re in it to win.

Congressional Cup Locks in 2026 Dates for Its 61st Showdown (4 min read)
Mark your calendars. The 61st Congressional Cup is set for April 29–May 3, 2026, with the Ficker Cup qualifier running just before. Long Beach will once again host the world’s top-ranked match racers in identical Catalina 37s for a double round robin, semis, and a Crimson Blazer finale. As the OG of modern match racing and a cornerstone of the World Match Racing Tour, this event is all about tight tactics, slick boat handling, and big reputations on the line.

IMOCAs Set to Fly in the Rolex Fastnet Race (6 min read)
The Fastnet is about to get a dose of next-gen speed with a stacked IMOCA fleet, from flying foilers to proven round-the-world vets. With Charlie Dalin out, all eyes are on Yoann Richomme’s Paprec Arkéa and Elodie Bonafous on the brand-new Petits Princes–Queguiner. Jérémie Beyou returns with Charal, joined by rising stars like Tom Dolan and Violette Dorange. These 60-foot missiles are sleek, fast, and brutally demanding, and this year’s race could see a serious shake-up at the front.

Tech & Gear

RS Sailing Launches the Aira 22: A Sporty Cruiser for Everyone (5 min read)
RS Sailing just dropped the Aira 22, a comfy, trailerable keelboat that’s equal parts family cruiser and low-key club racer. Originally a Dutch design, it’s now the flagship of RS’s adventure range, with room for six, an optional electric motor, and even a fold-out table for mid-lake snacks. The hull planes, the gennaker flies, and the price hovers just under 50K. Whether you’re teaching newbies or chasing sunset breeze, the Aira 22 looks like pure fun in a sleek little package.

DZR Skin Fittings: What They Are and Why You Should Care (6 min read)
Not all brass is created equal, and Vyv Cox is here to clear the murky waters around DZR (dezincification resistant) fittings. Turns out, regular brass can corrode into a crumbly mess in seawater, but DZR brass, cooked up with just the right cocktail of arsenic, lead, and science, holds strong for decades. If your boat’s still rocking 60/40 brass seacocks, you might want to check for that magic DZR stamp. It’s the nerdy metal upgrade your boat didn’t know it needed.

Rescue Tech 2025: What Might Actually Save Your Life (6 min read)
Going overboard is still the scariest scenario at sea, and no gadget guarantees a happy ending. This deep dive into 2025’s rescue tech shows what helps and what might let you down. AIS MOBs, PLBs, EPIRBs, and even smartwatches all have their place, but don’t count on one device to do it all. The key is layering your tools, knowing how to use them, and never skipping the basics. The short version? Tech helps, but habits save lives.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

The 2025 California Offshore Race Week kicked off with the Spinnaker Cup from San Francisco to Monterey, and it was full-send mode for doublehanded duo Sergei and Frank on Sun Dragon. Despite a cautious start and a few close calls with wrapped kites, they blasted across Monterey Bay hitting 18 knots and snagged first among the doublehanders. With Olympic-level commentary from Shirley Knot and colorful pirate wisdom from Joe, this recap is equal parts surf session and salty banter.