24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.

Sailing News for July 22, 2025

Portsmouth delivered chaos and change. Spain’s nosedive wrecked their weekend, while New Zealand outmaneuvered Emirates GBR to top the SailGP standings. Switzerland celebrated a historic first podium. Marblehead buzzed with one-design action, and Antigua added a no-fluff Racing Cup to its 2026 calendar. Offshore, a pint-sized Beneteau First 36 SE stunned in the Transpac, finishing second over the line. Plus, RS Sailing returns to Southampton Boat Show and Doyle continues redefining the high-performance sail market.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

The Debrief with Lisa Darmanin // 2025 Emirates GBR Sail Grand Prix (6 min read)
The Kiwis stole the show in Portsmouth, fending off wild shifts, boat carnage, and a sea of fans to win the event and take the overall SailGP lead. Lisa Darmanin checks in with teams from New Zealand, Switzerland, France, and the home squad Emirates GBR to unpack the madness. From hydraulic leaks to redemption races and 20,000-strong crowds, it was pure SailGP chaos. And yep, Geneva’s shaping up to be a showdown.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Catching the Buzz at Marblehead Race Week (7 min read)
Marblehead Race Week is back and buzzing as the final US stop of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series. It’s a one-design overload: J/70s, Vipers, Etchells, Rhodes 19s, even the nostalgic International 110s. Local legends like Jud Smith and Tomas Hornos are breathing life into old fleets, while clubs across the harbor team up to throw epic races and better parties. New-school sailors, old-school boats, and one of America’s most iconic regattas right in the summer sweet spot.

Transpac 2025: Pint-Sized Powerhouse First 36 SE Finishes Second Over the Line (6 min read)
A 36-foot Beneteau just smoked the Transpac fleet, finishing second over the line behind only an 88-foot maxi. Sailed doublehanded by Charles-Etienne Devanneaux and Frédéric Courouble, the turbocharged First 36 SE “Rahan” averaged over 10 knots and logged 270-mile days. They beat bigger, fully crewed boats and won their class by nine hours. The kicker? This race inspired Beneteau’s newest production model. Proof that with the right prep and a planing hull, you don’t need size to go big.

Antigua Launches High-Energy Racing Spin-Off: The Antigua Racing Cup (5 min read)
Antigua is doubling down for 2026 with two regattas serving up totally different vibes. The new Antigua Racing Cup, running April 9 to 12, is built for racing purists who want short, sharp courses and big breeze without wasting a second. Two weeks later, Antigua Sailing Week leans into destination cruising with point-to-point courses and sunny socials. Whether you’re trimming for the podium or just chasing rum punches, April in Antigua now has a race for you.

Tech & Gear

RS Sailing Returns to Southampton International Boat Show 2025 (3 min read)
RS Sailing is back at Southampton Boat Show this September with a fresh lineup, prime waterfront real estate, and the UK debut of the comfy new RS Aira 22. Whether you’re into racing, beach boats, or casual adventure cruising, there’s something shiny to gawk at. Try an RS boat on the water, grab show-only deals, and celebrate the RS Quest’s 10th birthday while you’re at it. Bonus: RS Sailors Club perks and free sign-ups.

Not All Sails Are Created Equal (5 min read)
Doyle Sails is rewriting the superyacht sail game by adding carbon to every sail they build, and they’re the only ones doing it. Why? Because carbon’s lighter, stronger, and stretches way less, which means smoother sails and way fewer headaches at 50-plus meters. Whether you’re cruising across oceans or lining up at the St. Barth’s Bucket, their carbon-packed Stratis and DVXC sails are built to match the muscle of modern rigs. Heavy boats need light sails, and Doyle’s got the formula dialed.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Step aboard the sleek new IMOCA 60 skippered by Elodie Bonafous, sistership to the Vendée Globe-winning MACIF. In this slick behind-the-scenes tour, the tech team walks us through everything from the fully enclosed cockpit to the high-tech nav station and even the “two-room flat” below deck. It’s part boat, part spaceship, and fully prepped for racing. Bonus points for the gym corner and a beanbag nap zone. Not your average yacht interior.