24 hours of sailing news in 5 minutes.

Sailing News for August 28, 2025

This week the headlines are all action. The Ocean Race Europe saw Biotherm grab another win while Holcim-PRB bounced back from a Kiel collision with redress. Offshore, the Normandy Channel Race turned terrifying when a Class40 was cut in half. Down under, entries are open for the legendary Melbourne to Hobart, while in Dublin Bay the ILCA U21 Worlds keep tightening at the top. Cruisers get both ends of the spectrum: a DIY sail cover repair for under $60 and Lagoon’s slick new 43. And in our highlight, we test which downwind sail is heaven or hell.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Holcim-PRB Awarded Redress After Dramatic Collision in Kiel, Another Perfect Finish for Biotherm in Ocean Race Europe Leg 2 (6 min read)
Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe served up everything from perfect downwind blasts to brutal dead zones, and Biotherm once again came out on top. Paprec Arkéa briefly stole the lead with a 30-knot sprint, only to stall in a Med wind hole that let Biotherm slip past at the last moment. Meanwhile, Holcim-PRB, fresh off a collision nightmare in Kiel, not only finished strong but also won redress from the International Jury, putting them right back in the hunt.

Entries Open for 2025 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race (5 min read)
The legendary “Westcoaster” is back, with entries now open for the 2025 Melbourne to Hobart. Kicking off on December 27, the 435nm slog down Tasmania’s wild west coast is all about grit, heavy weather, and true offshore adventure. Early sign-ups include veterans like Alien and Spirit of Downunder, and the fleet will be gunning for Rushour’s multihull record. With a stacked trophy list, new sponsor On Track Meals keeping crews fed, and the coveted yellow cap up for grabs, this year’s race promises a fierce showdown.

Poole Week 2025 – Day 4 (5 min read)
After a soggy, gusty morning that nearly hit 30 knots, Poole Week sailors finally got their window and made the most of it. The ILCA fleets traded places all afternoon, with Stuart Hudson, Alan Davis, and Chris Whalley duking it out in the 7s while Roger O’Gorman and Rob Jackson split wins in the 6s. Elsewhere, battles stayed tight across Merlins, Contenders, and RS400s, while the XODs gave the home club something to cheer about. By late afternoon the breeze eased, the sun came out, and it all felt worth the wait.

“Mayday! The boat is cut in half” (4 min read)
The CIC Normandy Channel Race turned brutal when a full-speed collision in the English Channel literally sliced a Class40 in two, leaving skippers Jay Thompson and Pamela Lee clinging to wreckage. The fleet had already seen dismastings and breakdowns in 25–35 knots, but this was next level. With Vendée Globe legends in the mix, the competition was fierce, but this incident was a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel offshore. Miraculously, both sailors survived to tell the tale.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championships – Day 4 (5 min read)
Gold fleet racing in Dublin Bay shook up the men’s leaderboard as Aussie Edward Reid stumbled, letting Germany’s Ole Schweckendiek pull even on points. Israel’s Reem Pulci Magen surged into contention with a win, while Isaac Schotte kept third despite a capsize. On the women’s side, the Netherlands’ Roos Wind is sailing away with it, sitting 20 points clear after another strong day, though Italy’s Emma Mattivi is fighting hard to keep the pressure on. With two days left, it’s all to play for.

Youth Sailing/Development

2025/26 Coaching Opportunities (3 min read)
Australian Sailing has opened a full slate of coaching gigs for the next year, from national youth squads and world championship teams to local Zhik YouthSail clinics. There are also online webinars and practical sessions for coaches keen to sharpen their skills. With multiple roles on offer, including up to six spots for the 2026 National Youth Squad, this is a chance to guide the next wave of Aussie sailors while building your own coaching game.

Cruising

Sail Cover Repair You Can Do Yourself (7 min read)
After 11 years under the brutal Aussie sun, John Tylor’s mainsail cover was hanging by a thread. Instead of paying a pro, he revived an old fête-bought sewing machine, stocked up on UV-resistant thread, and stitched it back to life. The project cost less than AUS$60, added a fresh zipper, and gave the cover a couple more seasons of use. It turns out a bit of patience, some DIY spirit, and a heavy needle can save you a serious chandlery bill.

Lagoon 43: A Blend of Comfort and Performance (6 min read)
Lagoon has rolled out the new 43, a cat that nails the sweet spot between fun sailing and floating condo. Designed by VPLP, it slips along at nearly 7 knots closehauled in light breeze, while still serving up sun pads, flexible dining tables that morph a dozen ways, and staterooms with clever extra berths. Replacing the hugely popular Lagoon 42, the 43 is already off to a hot start with 70 boats sold. Think light helm, comfy living, and plenty of charter appeal.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Spinnaker, gennaker with a sock, or furling gennaker. Which one makes downwind sailing bliss and which one is a headache? Sailmaker Peter Bresman takes his dad’s Swan 441 out in Palma to test all three. The spinnaker is powerful but a rope jungle, the gennaker with a sock makes life easier but still requires foredeck work, and the furling gennaker is the clear winner for shorthanded cruising with everything handled from the cockpit. In the end, simplicity and safety beat tradition.