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Sailing News for August 01, 2025

Monaco stuns the offshore world with a first-time win at the Admiral’s Cup, while French legends sail a 34-footer to Fastnet glory. Andrew Campbell sees podium potential for the US SailGP Team despite tough breaks, and Red Bull Italy hits its best result yet. Tech fans get a close-up of Banque Populaire XI, the 100-foot foiling beast, while youth sailors shine at the iQFOiL Worlds. Plus, learn to master prop walk, fight seasickness, and see how a vintage classic tamed the Fastnet in style.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Andrew Campbell: This Team Is Good Enough To Be On The Podium (3 min read)
After rejoining the U.S. SailGP Team, Andrew Campbell is fired up about their potential despite a tough break in Portsmouth that saw them miss two races due to a hydraulic failure. He’s optimistic about the squad’s trajectory, pointing to strong starts and small improvements as proof they’re close to breaking through. With a few smart tweaks and more consistency, Campbell believes this team is ready to climb the standings and fight for a spot on the podium.

Red Bull Italy Hits New High in Portsmouth (3 min read)
Red Bull Italy just snagged its best SailGP finish yet, placing fifth in Portsmouth with three top-three race results to show for it. Not bad for a team that only joined the league this season. Skipper Ruggero Tita is fired up and ready to build on the momentum, with Jimmy Spithill calling the shots as CEO. They didn’t make the Final this time, but they’re learning fast and looking sharp heading into Sassnitz.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Monaco Wins Admiral’s Cup After Fastnet Nail-Biter (6 min read)
Monaco has officially claimed the 2025 Admiral’s Cup, and they did it in dramatic fashion. After a wild Rolex Fastnet Race finish packed with protests, point calculations, and photo finishes, the Jolt team of Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison emerged victorious. The deciding factor? A two-minute win in AC2 and flawless execution in brutal conditions. This was Monaco’s first time at the Admiral’s Cup, and they walked away with the trophy. Not bad for a debut.

French Duo Power Leon to Fastnet Victory in Centennial Edition (3 min read)
Alexis Loison and boat builder Jean-Pierre Kelbert just sailed Leon, a 34-foot JPK 1050, to overall victory in the 100th Rolex Fastnet Race, beating a record 444-boat fleet. It’s Loison’s second win, 12 years after making history as the first double-handed crew to take the title. The French dominated the podium, with all top teams featuring veterans of the Figaro circuit. It was a fast, tactical ride to Cherbourg, and for Loison, it was extra sweet finishing in his hometown.

Governor’s Cup Day 2: Callahan Undefeated as Tapper Falters (3 min read)
Day 2 of the 58th Governor’s Cup saw a shake-up in the leaderboard. Justin Callahan (USA) leads undefeated at 12-0, ahead of Josh Hyde (NZL) at 10-2. Defending champ Cole Tapper (AUS) suffered three key losses and now sits tied for third with Morgan Pinckney (USA) at 9-3. Sweden’s Theo Westerlind is still in semifinal contention with 7 wins. Racing resumes Friday, with semifinals Saturday and finals Sunday, all streamed live via GovCup TV.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Italy and Australia Shine in Epic Finals (3 min read)
The 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships in Brest wrapped up with dramatic final-day action. Italy’s Medea Falcioni and Australia’s Rory Meehan claimed the U19 titles, while France’s Théa Le Borgne Zibetti staged a sensational comeback to win U17 Girls after entering the finals ranked 10th. Dutch sailor Merlijn Boswijk dominated the U17 Boys fleet. Italy topped the Nations Trophy, followed by Turkey and host nation France.

Cruising

Prop Walk: The Hidden Superpower of Docking (6 min read)
Docking a 57-foot, bow-thrusterless ketch in tight quarters sounds like a nightmare, but Daria and Alex Blackwell have mastered the art of using prop walk to their advantage. Their classic cruiser doesn’t love reverse, but its predictable stern kick lets them pivot in narrow spots with surgical precision. This deep dive explains how prop walk works, how to tell what kind of prop you have, and how to use it to turn, dock, and save face when the marina crowd is watching.

Surviving Seasickness: Tricks That Actually Work (6 min read)
Even legends like Gary Jobson get seasick. In this honest and practical guide, he shares what works and what doesn’t when your stomach turns traitor offshore. From ginger ale and steering duty to wristbands and scopolamine patches, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix, but plenty of smart ways to cope. Seasickness hits fast and hard, but with fresh air, focus, and a bit of trial and error, you can shake it off and get back to loving the ride.

Tech & Gear

Inside Banque Populaire XI: Sam Goodchild’s Tour of a 100ft Foiling Beast (4 min read)
Sam Goodchild gives a rare inside look at Banque Populaire XI, the Ultime-class foiling trimaran that averages 35 knots and redefines offshore racing. The 100-footer runs almost entirely on hydraulics, with barely a rope in sight, and features controls for everything from canting the rig to foil trim. Tacking takes 10–15 minutes of intense grinding. From daggerboard flaps to steering leeward and aerodynamic cockpits, the boat is a marvel of design efficiency and raw speed.

Spotlight

Marine Rescue Responds to Emergency During Sydney Gold Coast Race (4 min read)
A PAN PAN call turned into a full-speed rescue when a 77-year-old sailor collapsed during the Sydney to Gold Coast Race. Marine Rescue Port Stephens launched PS31 at 28 knots to reach the yacht 25 miles offshore, executing a dramatic at-sea transfer in 1.5m swells. One volunteer literally hauled the patient aboard mid-roll using what he called “superhuman dad strength.” With sharp coordination, fast thinking, and a bit of muscle, the rescue crew brought everyone home safely. Just another day for these local legends.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Not every Fastnet contender is a carbon missile. Hound, a 1970 Aage Nielsen-designed aluminum sloop, hit the line in style, with serious upgrades to match. After a major refit featuring a carbon rig, vintage winch bling, and a smart new bow sprit, she powered through the race with grace and grit. Forget foils. This old-school beauty sailed smart, nailed the tidal gates, and proved there’s still bite in a classic hull.