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Sailing News for July 29, 2025

Fastnet 2025 keeps delivering as Ultimes blast into Cherbourg and a wide-open fleet battles across 350 miles of ocean. Perth is set to explode onto the SailGP calendar with grandstands, sea breeze, and stadium-style chaos. Junior windsurfers bring the heat in Brest, family crews shine in the Melges 15, and Aussie para sailors prep for the global stage. World Sailing releases its first-ever Impact Report with real progress, while new PFD rules aim to simplify safety at sea. Plus, a seized swivel gets saved and an Australian yacht stuns the IRC fleet.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Fowler: Perth Promises ‘Huge Spectacle’ in SailGP Debut (4 min read)
SailGP veteran Kinley Fowler says fans should buckle up for something wild when the 2026 season kicks off in his hometown of Perth. With grandstands lining both sides of the racecourse and the famous Fremantle Doctor pumping in 20 knots right on cue, this is stadium sailing turned up to eleven. Expect high-speed foiling, crashing waves, and a front-row seat to the chaos. Fowler’s take? This isn’t just another regatta. It’s sailing like you’ve never seen it before.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Fastnet 2025: First Ultimes Round the Rock and Light the Afterburners (5 min read)
The foiling beasts are back in action. After a sluggish start, SVR-Lazartigue and Banque Populaire XI blasted around the Fastnet Rock and are now ripping toward Cherbourg at over 35 knots. Expect a sunrise finish and plenty of spray. Meanwhile, the monohulls are locked in a tight duel with Scallywag and BlackJack trading tacks and Leopard closing in. In the IMOCA fleet, Bonafous is just ahead of Beyou. Pip Hare’s team had to retire with a hydraulics issue but they’re safe and already back in Cherbourg.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Family Sailing in the Melges 15 (7 min read)
John Haig is living every sailing dad’s dream, switching between crewing for his two powerhouse daughters on the Melges 15 circuit. The sisters, both MIT All-Americans, turned a sibling rivalry into a family two-boat campaign, regularly topping leaderboards and giving Dad whiplash with their differing styles. There’s bickering, jokes, and plenty of “Dad, hike harder,” but also a whole lot of heart. Turns out, the Melges 15 isn’t just fast. It’s also a seriously fun way to keep the family close.

Youth Sailing/Development

2025 Australian Para Sailing Championships (3 min read)
With the first-ever World Sailing Inclusion Championships set for December in Oman, Australia is stepping up its game. The 2025 Australian Para Sailing Championships will be split across two regattas to give competitors a solid tune-up. Hansa sailors will race in Perth at the International Classes Regatta, while the 2.4m crowd will hit the water at Sail Melbourne. It’s a smart move that gives Aussie para sailors more time on the water and a shot at the international spotlight.

Sustainability

World Sailing’s Inaugural Impact Report (5 min read)
World Sailing just dropped its first-ever Impact Report, and it’s not just talk. We’re talking a real 11% carbon cut since 2019, 29% fewer support boats at the Paris Olympics, and a serious push toward inclusivity across 34 countries. The report doubles as a sustainability blueprint, showing how the sport can grow while protecting the ocean it depends on. It’s all part of their “Ready for the Future” game plan, and it sets the bar high for federations in any sport, not just sailing.

Tech & Gear

Freeing a Seized Swivel Car on Foresail Furling Gear (6 min read)
When Chris Mardon’s 20-year-old swivel car jammed mid-furl with his genoa half-wrapped around the forestay, it was almost a disaster. Rather than shell out £800 for a new one, he got hands-on and tore the old Facnor C38 down to its bearings. Think baking trays full of tiny balls, wire wool scrubbing, and a rebuild that could double as a dexterity test. The result? A perfectly smooth swivel and a very smug boat owner.

New PFD Classifications Aim to Simplify Safety Standards for Boaters (4 min read)
Say goodbye to Type I, II, and III. The US Coast Guard is rolling out a new Level-based system for PFDs, with Level 50, 70, and 100 classifications that focus on buoyancy and intended use. Level 70 will cover most recreational needs, while Level 100 is built for commercial use. Mustang Survival is ahead of the curve with its Elite 190 PFD, offering extra lift and sleek design. It’s a shift that puts more responsibility on boaters to choose the right gear for the right conditions.

Foiling

2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships – Day 4 (4 min read)
Light wind, long waits, and one slalom race per fleet was all Day 4 had to offer in Brest, but the leaderboard shakeups were worth the wait. In U17 Girls, Israel’s Naama Palatnik and Turkey’s Parla Kabasakal are now tied at the top. The U17 Boys are a Dutch sweep, with Peyton Dits still untouchable. And in U19 Women, Italy’s Medea Falcioni stays out front while Yfke van der Meer quietly climbs. Three days to go, and the racing is still wide open.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

The Ultimes are in, blasting into Cherbourg before dawn with SVR-Lazartigue clocking 40 knots and claiming line honors. The fleet is still stretched out over 350 miles, with tactical breeze hunting in full swing. Big news down the ratings ladder: Australian yacht Bedouin is leading IRC overall and IRC1, despite not loving the downwind. Meanwhile, Black Jack leads the 100-footers, Whisper tops IRC0, and Team Monaco is looking strong with two Jolts in the mix. The Aussies and Kiwis are definitely making themselves known.