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Sailing News for November 04, 2025

Today captures sailing at full pace. SailGP’s Racing on the Edge series shows tension rising as teams fight for Grand Final spots in Abu Dhabi, while Laura Grondin becomes the first female helm to win the J/70 World Championship in Buenos Aires. Scarlet Runner claims the Rudder Cup with sharp teamwork in the Melbourne to Devonport Race, and the Transat Café L’Or fleet pushes hard toward Martinique in fast trade winds. Plus, Practical Boat Owner explains why liferafts have a real shelf life.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Race to Abu Dhabi Intensifies in Latest Racing on the Edge (5 min read)
SailGP’s docuseries Racing on the Edge turns up the heat as the fight for a Grand Final slot hits St. Tropez and Geneva. Spain’s Los Gallos nearly implode in wild conditions before clawing back a crucial win, while Germany and Switzerland steal the spotlight with breakout performances. Behind the scenes, a “poaching war” brews as Nathan Outteridge’s new Artemis team shakes the league. With tempers flaring and points tight, the road to Abu Dhabi looks like it’ll be pure chaos—in the best way.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Grondin’s Dark Energy Wins J/70 World Championship (6 min read)
History made in Buenos Aires as Laura Grondin becomes the first helmswoman ever to win the J/70 Worlds, steering Dark Energy to victory after a five-year campaign. The fleet of 71 boats battled wild river currents and shifting breezes on the Río de la Plata, with the title coming down to the last race. South American teams dominated the standings, while Chile’s all-family Ducasse Sailing Team took Corinthian honors. High drama, tight racing, and a major milestone for women in the sport.

17th Transat Café L’OR Day 9: Max Power, Max Concentration (7 min read)
The Transat Café L’OR fleet is feeling the heat as the miles to Martinique tick down. Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas are flying on SVR Lazartigue, 160 miles ahead and chasing a record fifth win, while the Ocean Fifty and IMOCA fleets grind through intense trade winds and sleepless watches. Francesca Clapcich jokes that co-skipper Will Harris is “driving the big bus like he stole it,” which says it all. In Class40, the top six are split by just six miles, proving this race is far from over.

Tech & Gear

Lifespan vs. Warranty: Why Your Liferaft Is No Longer Serviceable (5 min read)
That old Seago liferaft in your locker might look fine, but if it’s past its 15-year lifespan, no amount of servicing will save it. Practical Boat Owner unpacks the confusing line between “warranty” and “lifespan,” revealing why manufacturers won’t touch expired models. The good news? Seago will dispose of it properly for £85—or £45 if you buy a new one. Safety gear doesn’t last forever, but at least you can give it a decent send-off.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

ILCA sailor Toshinari Takayanagi tests a new downwind move called the “slow upturn from by the lee,” aiming to tap stored rig energy instead of snapping into the turn. It is a more deliberate, flow-focused technique than the usual quick flicks used to surf waves. The onboard data overlay shows every shift in speed and angle, and while the move is still a work in progress, it is a cool look at how serious dinghy sailors chase the perfect feel.