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Sailing News for October 31, 2025

Today’s edition has drama, determination, and DIY genius. The America’s Cup faces a historic twist as American Magic withdraws, leaving a smaller but fierce field for 2027. Across the Atlantic, the Transat Café L’Or hits full throttle with 30-knot averages and fleet battles from Africa to La Coruña. In the Azores, Nell De Jaham’s comeback lights up the Youth Worlds, while Lake Garda crowns EuroCup champions in record numbers and Wales launches its first Foiling Academy. Add a rogue tiller pilot fix, the sleek new Dragonfly 36, and SailGP’s award-season debates, and you’ve got sailing in top gear.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

America’s Cup Without the USA? (5 min read)
For the first time in 174 years, the America’s Cup might set sail without an American team. New York Yacht Club’s American Magic just pulled out, citing money troubles and frustration with the Cup’s new partnership structure. With Alinghi gone too, that leaves just New Zealand, Italy, Britain, and maybe France on the line for Naples 2027. The world’s oldest sailing trophy suddenly feels a lot smaller and a lot less American.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

17th Transat Café L’OR Day 5: Into the Blue (5 min read)
The Transat Café L’OR fleet is stretching out across the Atlantic as the ULTIMs hit the trades and start flying. Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas on SVR Lazartigue are over 200 miles clear, averaging 31 knots and loving life. In the IMOCAs, Sam Goodchild and Loïs Berrehar celebrated a birthday by retaking the lead from Charal, while the Ocean Fifty pack is bunched tight off Africa. Class40s are still regrouping in La Coruña after brutal weather, gearing up for a restart this weekend.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

2025 IKA Youth World Championships Day 3: Gusts, Glory and the Comeback Kid (4 min read)
Day 3 in the Azores delivered chaos and comebacks as gusty winds shredded gear and nerves alike. France’s Nell De Jaham stole the spotlight, charging into the top ten just months after a serious injury left him unconscious in hospital. Argentina’s Catalina Turienzo took command in the women’s fleet after three race wins, while Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi holds a razor-thin lead over Max Maeder in the men’s. With the wind still howling, the final days promise even more drama.

Youth Sailing/Development

A Record-Breaking 29er EuroCup Season Ends in Riva del Garda (4 min read)
Nearly 400 teams from 26 nations wrapped up the biggest 29er EuroCup season yet at Lake Garda, with classic Ora winds serving up 14 races of high-speed chaos. France’s Alexandre Mostini and Raphaël Allain stole back the win on the final day, while Poland’s Szymon Kolka and Bartosz Żmudziński clinched the overall circuit crown. Italy’s Bianca Marchesini and Lucia Finato dominated the women’s fleet, proving the next generation of sailors is seriously fast and seriously global.

Welsh Sailing Launches Foiling Academy with Flying “Red Dragons” (4 min read)
Welsh Sailing is taking off with the launch of its new Foiling Academy featuring two bright red Waszps nicknamed Draig Goch 1 and 2. Backed by £40,000 in funding from the Welsh Government and Sport Wales, the program gives young sailors a chance to learn foiling without breaking the bank. Coaches will get trained, Try Foiling Days are planned across Wales, and the goal is simple: make flying boats accessible to everyone while building the next generation of Olympic-level talent.

Cruising

How to Sail a Fast Catamaran: Mastering the Art of Quick Cruising (7 min read)
Big cats are booming, but skippering one isn’t as simple as doubling the hulls. Pro sailor Mike Kopman breaks down how to keep these beasts fast and safe, from reefing early and managing daggerboards to planning your “exit” when the breeze pipes up. His rule: reef before you even think about it. With power comes responsibility, and learning to tame a 20-knot cruiser like his 72-footer Komotion is all about balance, planning, and knowing when to ease off and enjoy the ride.

Tech & Gear

My Tiller Pilot Went Rogue: The Surprising DIY Fix That Saved My Raymarine ST1000 (5 min read)
When Paul Newell’s trusty Raymarine tiller pilot suddenly threw his boat into wild turns, he feared the worst. The culprit? A chafed ribbon cable inside the fluxgate compass. Instead of spending £90 on a new part, he raided his workshop junk pile, soldered in bits of copper wire from an old dimmer switch, and brought “Lee” the autopilot back to life. Total cost: zero. Proof that a steady hand and Yorkshire thrift can outsmart marine electronics.

New Boat Preview: Dragonfly 36 (6 min read)
The new Dragonfly 36 trimaran is turning heads with its blend of speed, smarts, and Scandinavian style. Built in Denmark, it folds from a 26.5-foot beam to just 12 feet using Dragonfly’s slick Swing Wing system, so you can dock it like a monohull and still hit multihull speeds. Inside, it’s bright, roomy, and cruise-ready, with two cabins and full standing headroom. Whether you’re chasing offshore thrills or coastal weekends, this trimaran promises performance without the drama.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

With the SailGP Grand Final in Abu Dhabi around the corner, hosts Lisa Darmanin, CJ Perez, and Alex Hobern debate who deserves this season’s biggest honors. Hannah Mills gets MVP love for her brains and teamwork, while grinders like Anna Weis and Alex Sinclair finally get their due. The Swiss, Germany, and Italy make the cut for most improved, and the dream teams? Think Slingsby, Fletcher, and a few surprise picks. Cue the hot takes, bragging rights, and inevitable fan debates.