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Sailing News for October 24, 2025

Big fleets and big energy headline today’s sailing update. The 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart confirms a 142-boat armada led by six Supermaxis, while SailGP’s Abu Dhabi finale adds pop star punch with Olly Murs and DJ Mark Wright. In Bermuda, Johnie Berntsson and Anna Östling keep the match racing heat high, and Palm Beach XI gives the legendary Wild Oats a tech-savvy new life. Add a fast yacht A/C install, the #LiftHerUp movement making real waves, and a look back at the pioneering F4 foiler, and it’s all happening on and off the water.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Olly Murs to headline spectacular SailGP season showdown in Abu Dhabi (4 min read)
SailGP’s 2025 Grand Final in Abu Dhabi just got louder with Olly Murs set to headline at Mina Zayed. The pop star will take the stage right after Saturday’s racing, fresh off his new album Knees Up. DJ Mark Wright will close things out Sunday with an Après-Sail party featuring live music, Nobu bites, and front-row views of 100 km/h F50s. It’s shaping up to be a full-on festival of speed, sound, and sunshine in the Arabian Gulf.

IRC evolves to keep pace with sport (4 min read)
The 2025 IRC Congress in Cowes brought together race organizers and measurers to fine-tune the world’s go-to rating rule. Andrew McIrvine takes over as chair from Michael Boyd, steering the next phase of IRC development. Key updates include more flexible lifeline rules for events, clarified sail and pole measurements, and a tweak to rudder angles that keeps modern designs fair. There’s even talk of an IRC 600 Trophy to connect the major offshore classics into one global challenge.

Elite fleet for 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race confirmed (6 min read)
The 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart is shaping up as a monster, with 142 yachts ready to charge south on Boxing Day, the biggest lineup since 2019. Six 100-footers headline the fleet, including LawConnect, Comanche, and the reborn Palm Beach XI (formerly Wild Oats XI). Expect a mix of legends, double-handers, and even a 121-year-old classic in the mix. Defending champ Sam Haynes returns with Celestial V70 and a new sail wardrobe, aiming to make history as the first sitting CYCA Commodore to win twice.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Egnot-Johnson Surges, Östling Shines in Bermuda (6 min read)
It was all action on Hamilton Harbour as Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson stayed perfect to punch his ticket to the Bermuda Gold Cup semis, while Kiwi Nick Egnot-Johnson roared back into contention with three clutch wins. Over in the women’s fleet, Anna Östling shrugged off a penalty to take down rival Pauline Courtois and keep her spot at the top. Fellow Swede Martina Carlsson finally found her form too, adding extra heat to an already spicy leaderboard heading into the final round robins.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts takes the helm of the iconic Wild Oats XI (4 min read)
The legendary 100-foot Supermaxi Wild Oats XI has a new owner and a new name, Palm Beach XI. Palm Beach Motor Yachts is taking the reins and giving the nine-time Sydney Hobart line-honours winner a serious tech makeover ahead of the 80th edition this December. Expect a deeper keel, new daggerboards, and slick C-foils built for speed. The official reveal happens at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, blending luxury motor yacht style with grand prix offshore racing grit.

Tech & Gear

Installing a yacht air conditioning system in just a few hours (5 min read)
Tired of roasting in the Med, a Bavaria 38 owner dropped in a 9,000 BTU IZY marine A/C under the saloon settee and made it look easy. He reused existing vents for the outlet, added a tidy return grille, and ran seawater through a new intake with the discharge sent to the galley thru-hull. Hooked it to 220V with the supplied digital controller and remote. Minimal cutting, low drama, and cool cabins in a few hours.

Spotlight

Inside The Lift Her Up Event (3 min read)
Earlier this month in NYC, the U.S. SailGP Team hosted a mentor-mixer that put action behind the hashtag. Grinder Anna Weis spoke about earning trust on high-performance crews, breaking into male-heavy rooms, and why visible role models matter. Guests rotated through guided matchmaking rounds that sparked real intros, from founders and athletes to execs and investors. Want in? The #LiftHerUpChallenge invites you to back women in sport, offers a photo gallery to browse, and throws in a shot at a training session with Weis.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Eight years ago, the F4 made history as the first foiling catamaran built to take on the open ocean. Created by Holland Composites and America’s Cup sailor Shannon Falcone, with help from Jimmy Spithill, this 46-foot carbon flyer proved that “flying on water” wasn’t just for inshore racing. On its maiden mission from New York to Bermuda, the F4 hovered over swells at wild speeds and set the stage for today’s offshore foilers. Still looks ahead of its time.