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Sailing News for August 11, 2025

The Ocean Race Europe roared out of Kiel before Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei collided just minutes in, leaving two damaged boats and one messy jury case. At the Fastnet, Doyle-powered Tschüss 2 and Leopard 3 claimed podium spots, while Airlie Beach delivered 30-knot drama and Canada Ocean Racing hit another milestone toward the Vendée Globe. Nearly 600 young sailors battled at the Ora Cup Ora on Lake Garda, cruisers weigh four circumnavigation styles, and ropework gets a smart splice upgrade. Plus, relive the Kiel collision in this week’s must-watch highlight.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Collision off Kiel: dramatic start for Ocean Race Europe (4 min read)
The Ocean Race Europe kicked off with champagne air and a Kiel crowd buzzing—until two minutes in, Holcim-PRB and Allagrande Mapei smashed into each other. Torn sails, a gashed hull, and both boats limping back to port turned the opener into a repair scramble. Biotherm took the first points while the jury preps for a hearing and both damaged teams eye Portsmouth for a comeback. No injuries, but plenty of bruised egos and carbon fiber.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Doyle-powered Tschüss 2 and Leopard 3 Take Podium Places in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race (3 min read)
Tschüss 2 kept its dream season rolling by winning IRC Super Zero at the Rolex Fastnet Race, adding to a trophy haul that already includes RORC Transatlantic, Caribbean 600, and West–East Transatlantic wins. Leopard 3 wasn’t far behind, snagging 3rd in class and crossing the line as the third monohull overall. With a record 444 yachts on the start line and the legendary Fastnet Rock on the course, both teams proved Doyle’s sails can deliver speed, consistency, and plenty of silverware.

Trying day for some at Airlie Beach Race Week (6 min read)
Day 3 at Airlie Beach Race Week was wild, with gusts topping 30 knots and plenty of drama. Multihull racer Fez capsized, series leader JAMHU was holed pre-start, and only one boat in Multihull Division 2 finished. Broken mains, retirements, and a “Steve Bradbury” win kept things spicy, while the cruising divisions soaked up the breeze. Team Hollywood dominated IRC Passage racing, and a lost rudder even made its way home. Tomorrow’s a lay day before lighter winds return for the restart.

Another step toward the goal (3 min read)
Canada Ocean Racing’s Emira IV is set for its Ocean Race Europe debut, marking the country’s first entry in the event. Fresh from Fastnet repairs, skipper Scott Shawyer and a rotating crew lineup that includes Pip Hare and Brian Thompson will take on the 4,500-mile, five-leg sprint starting in Kiel. It’s a key milestone in Shawyer’s campaign toward the 2028 Vendée Globe, blending race experience with the team’s “Be Water Positive” mission. Seven IMOCA teams will battle it out, with a historic finish in Montenegro.

Youth Sailing/Development

Optimists in the Ora Cup Ora 2025 at Circolo Vela Arco – Overall (4 min read)
Nearly 600 young sailors from 35 nations descended on Lake Garda for the 30th Ora Cup Ora, mixing fierce racing with new friendships. After two light-air days, the finale brought a punchy 18–22 knot northerly, shaking up the leaderboards. In Cadetti, Greece’s Konstantinos Sofronas snatched victory from Puerto Rico’s Lucas Christiansen, while Italy swept the Juniores podium with Andrea Demurtas on top. France’s Lilou Backes took the girls’ Juniores title. Sunshine, breeze, and a sea of Optimist sails made it a regatta to remember.

Kohala Sailing Foundation Inspires Hawai‘i Youth (3 min read)
Off Hawai‘i Island’s rugged Kohala Coast, the Kohala Sailing Foundation is giving local kids aged 11 to 17 their first real taste of sailing, completely free. These day sails go beyond tacking and jibing, building confidence, leadership, and a connection to the ocean. Funded by donations and charters, the group invites visiting sailors to hop aboard and share their skills, or to sponsor a youth sail from afar. It’s a hands-on way to give back and help launch the next wave of island sailors.

Cruising

4 options for sailing around the world (8 min read)
Dreaming of a circumnavigation? Janneke Kuysters breaks it down into four routes, from a two-year high-speed lap chasing the trades to a decade-long expedition into icy high latitudes. In between are “cherry pick” trips hitting only your bucket-list stops and the laid-back “coconut milk run” with long, lazy tropical layovers. Each option comes with tips on timing, boat prep, budgets, and crew needs, making it easier to turn that world map doodle into a real-life voyage.

Tech & Gear

Improving the continuous rope splice (4 min read)
Roger Hughes has cracked the code for a continuous rope splice in double-braided line that’s as slim as the rest of the rope. It’s perfect for furlers that choke on bulky joins. After trial, error, and some heat-shrink wizardry, his method welds and whips the core, stitches the cover, and still slides through drums, sheaves, and clutches like butter. Tested to over 2,000lb breaking strain, it’s strong, neat, and a serious cockpit clutter-killer. Just don’t use it for life-critical lines.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Leg One of The Ocean Race Europe blasted out of Kiel in front of a massive spectator fleet, but the drama hit early when Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei collided minutes after the start. Foil contact in full-power reaching shredded Mapei’s headsail and punched a hole in Holcim’s hull, forcing both to turn back. The rest of the IMOCA fleet powered on toward Portsmouth at 20–25 knots, leaving two shaken teams and one messy jury case back on the dock.