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Sailing News for August 07, 2025

Germany’s SailGP team is ready to roar in Sassnitz with 11,000 fans expected on shore and skipper Erik Heil calling the energy an “emotional advantage.” In Sydney, the new Australia Cup is set to bring Super 40s and TP52s together in a bold new format. Light breeze shakes up the 29er Worlds in Porto, and up north, Scotland’s Ceilidh Cup returns for fresh match racing action. Plus, bareboat charters get a reality check, barge culture thrives on the Thames, and Swan’s 80-foot carbon missile My Song makes its race debut.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Germany’s Heil: Fan Support Will Give Home Team ‘Emotional Advantage’ in Sassnitz (3 min read)
Germany’s SailGP team is gearing up for its first-ever home event in Sassnitz, and skipper Erik Heil is banking on the crowd to bring the heat. After a rough 11th-place finish in Portsmouth, the team is fired up to impress the 11,000 fans expected to pack the shoreline. Heil says the local energy is pure fuel, even if there’s no home-water edge. With 12 F50s ripping past the beach, this is shaping up to be one seriously loud comeback story.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

5 Expert Tips: How to Recover from a Bad Race (4 min read)
Had a shocker on the racecourse? Terry Hutchinson has been there more times than most and still comes out swinging. In this no-fluff guide, he shares five practical ways to bounce back fast, from owning your screw-ups to picking the right time to debrief. It’s all about staying calm, communicating clearly, and making the next race better. Whether you’re racing Maxis or weekend club fleets, this is gold for anyone who’s ever finished a leg thinking… what just happened?

LGT Crestone Wealth Management Australia Cup to Debut in Sydney (3 min read)
Mark your calendars, because Sydney is getting a brand new regatta this October. The Australia Cup will bring TP52s and Super 40s together for the first time in a high-energy, Admiral’s Cup-style format across two weekends of racing. Expect fast boats, stacked fleets, and spring breeze on the Harbour. With international teams already showing interest, this could become a serious fixture on the global racing calendar. It’s a pre-season showdown with some big potential.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

29er World Championship at Porto – Day 4 (2 min read)
Light breeze, one race, big leaderboard shakeup. Day 4 at the 29er Worlds in Porto saw only a single race per fleet before the wind bailed and the swell took over. France’s Jocelyn Le Goff and Jules Vidor now lead the pack, with Norway and Italy hot on their heels. Italy’s Bianca Marchesini and Lucia Finato top the female and U17 leaderboard, and the mixed team from Argentina is still in the fight. With two days to go and light air forecast, it’s game on.

Youth Sailing/Development

Enter Now for the 2025 Ceilidh Cup (3 min read)
Scotland’s only match racing championship is back this October, and it’s shaping up to be a must-do for students and club sailors alike. The Ceilidh Cup returns to the Royal Northern & Clyde YC with Sonar keelboats, fierce duels, and freshers getting their first taste of match racing. It’s part regatta, part reunion, and all set against the scenic Firth of Clyde. Winners get a shot at the national finals in London, so grab your crew and get ready to #rockupandrace.

Youth Pathways: Picking Your Next Boat (2 min read)
Moving on from Optis or P-class? Yachting New Zealand says the real question isn’t what to sail, but where you’ll thrive. Whether it’s an ILCA, 29er, I420 or iQFOiL, the best choice depends on your size, sailing style, club scene and goals. Sam Mackay encourages young sailors to find a class with local support and strong coaching. The right boat is the one that keeps you learning, racing often and loving the ride.

Cruising

How to Bareboat Charter Like a Cruiser (8 min read)
Dreaming of a week in paradise? Just don’t forget the basics. This no-nonsense guide turns a bareboat charter into a crash course in real-world cruising. From avoiding anchoring disasters and brushing up on systems to managing expectations and embracing surprises, it’s packed with practical tips and near-miss stories. Whether you’re cruiser-curious or prepping for life afloat, this is essential reading for anyone who wants more adventure and fewer “pop-pop-pop” moments out there.

Spotlight

Dave Selby: Close Encounters of the Barge Kind (4 min read)
Ever tried tacking a muffin and tea at the same time? Dave Selby has, aboard a 130-year-old Thames sailing barge during the legendary Pin Mill barge match. With teenage crew, massive moving parts, and silent precision at every tack, it’s part comedy, part poetry. Skipper Wes quietly wraps up his final race while the historic barge Victor is now for sale. Locals are rallying to keep her in Ipswich where she belongs, connecting kids with their maritime roots and keeping barge culture alive.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Swan’s new 80-footer My Song is a carbon-built missile made for owner-drivers, blending race-ready performance with surprising cruising potential. With a canting keel, rotating Canard, push-button controls and zero grinding pedestals, this boat is all about clean design and serious speed. Matt Sheahan joins the crew for its first race at the Maxi Rolex Cup, where it proves blisteringly fast even in light breeze. It is not just a looker. It is a serious contender right out of the gate.