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Sailing News for August 22, 2025

Tom Slingsby warns one mistake could decide the SailGP season as Sassnitz chaos leaves the leaderboard razor-thin. Offshore, Paprec Arkéa overhauled Biotherm in a Portuguese drag race while Olympic class veterans Graham Vials and Chris Turner sealed their sixth Flying Fifteen world crown. Youth sailors in Wales pack their summer with regattas and training, and two brothers discover the magic of Canada’s Gulf Islands on a charter cruise. Tech fans get a first look at the stylish Stephens Waring 68ft Cirrus, and today’s spotlight calls for sailing to refocus on its true community spirit. The highlight video tackles the hidden tradeoffs of dual rudders on modern cruisers.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Slingsby’s Warning as SailGP Season Tightens (4 min read)
Tom Slingsby’s Flying Roos are back on top of the SailGP leaderboard after a strong showing in Germany, but the Aussie skipper isn’t celebrating just yet. With four teams separated by only five points, he says one crash could kill a season. Sassnitz proved the point with four boats damaged in collisions and wipeouts, and with Saint-Tropez up next, the pressure is on. Slingsby’s message to rivals and his own crew is simple: stay fast, but keep your nose clean.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Paprec Arkéa Powers Past Biotherm in Drag Race Down the Portuguese Coast (5 min read)
Paprec Arkéa lit up the Portuguese coast with 30-knot bursts, slipping past Biotherm and into the Gulf of Cádiz in The Ocean Race. Skipper Yoann Richomme called the restart “super-fast,” while Biotherm admitted they were struggling for comfort downwind. Holcim-PRB is hanging on just behind, and Team Amaala, 400 miles back, is keeping morale high with jokes and persistence. With Gibraltar looming and lighter winds forecast, the lead is anything but locked in.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

Vials & Turner Claim Sixth Flying Fifteen World Title (7 min read)
Graham Vials and Chris Turner just clinched their sixth Flying Fifteen World Championship in Weymouth, sailing smart, covering rivals when it mattered, and sealing the deal with yet another race win. The duo’s dominance is staggering in a fleet of 82 boats, but whispers are swirling: was this their “Finally Finished” swan song, or just a cheeky name? Either way, the regatta delivered peak Fifteen fun with tight racing, Aussie beer tents, inflatable boxing kangaroos, and friendships that outlast the sails.

Youth Sailing/Development

Busy Summer Ahead for Welsh Junior Sailors (6 min read)
It’s been a packed season for young sailors in Wales with the Dragon Series drawing big fleets and one last chance to race coming up at Dale this Bank Holiday Monday. Next stop is the OnBoard Festival at Bala SC, a fun weekend of racing and coaching for ages 8–18, before the Welsh Youth & Junior Championships hit Pwllheli in September. Add in squad selections, a wellness “CROESO” boat, and even a Wishy Washy hydration station, and the kids are set for a full-on finish to summer.

Cruising

Islands in the Strait: Sailing Canada’s Gulf Isles (9 min read)
Two brothers charter a Bavaria 35 and set off through Canada’s Gulf Islands, where ferries, floatplanes, and tide rips keep you sharp while whales, seals, and starry skies make it all worthwhile. From harvest moon anchorages to pub crawls by dinghy, the trip served up equal parts adrenaline and awe. Canadian kindness sealed the deal when a stranger offered them a free mooring and even a ride to town. By the end, they agreed this might be one of the best cruising grounds on the continent.

Tech & Gear

Stephens Waring 68ft Cirrus: First Look (5 min read)
The new Stephens Waring 68ft Cirrus blends vintage style with modern punch, mixing a spoon bow and counter stern straight out of the 60s with carbon construction and a slippery hull. Think low-profile Mediterranean elegance on deck with a bright saloon, tender garage, and drop-down swim platform tucked aft. Below the waterline it is all performance, with a deep bulb keel and lines tuned for speed and comfort offshore. Classic looks and modern muscle make this yacht a head-turner under sail and at anchor.

Spotlight

Getting Sailing Back to Its Core Values (5 min read)
US Sailing’s new CEO Charlie Enright is already winning fans by keeping it real and showing he loves the sport as much as anyone on the water. A recent op-ed cheers his approach and calls for sailing to refocus on what matters: welcoming newcomers, teaching youth through fun instead of pressure, and keeping the community spirit alive. The message is simple: less politics, more camaraderie, and a reminder that sailing works best when it feels like family.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Ever wondered why modern cruising yachts keep sprouting twin rudders? This deep dive explains the real reason: it is less about safety and more about wide racing-style sterns creeping into mainstream designs. Dual rudders solve ventilation issues when heeled, but they also bring hidden headaches like shifting balance, heavy weather helm, and autopilots working overtime offshore. Naval architects admit it is a tradeoff, great downwind but not so great upwind. If you are eyeing a fat-stern cruiser for bluewater, this is a must-watch reality check.