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Sailing News for January 02, 2026

Heavy weather seamanship sparked debate as sailors revisited lying ahull versus heaving to and why hull shape still matters when conditions turn ugly. Looking ahead, the RS21 calendar for 2026 is stacked with major events and global momentum. At the grassroots end, the ILCA Oceania Solidarity Squad showed how fair safe and fun racing builds confidence. As a new year gets underway, here’s to fresh starts strong fleets and plenty of good sailing ahead.

Inshore & Offshore Racing

Lying ahull or heaving to? Which is best for heavy weather? (8 min read)
Veteran ocean sailor Tim Cassidy makes a strong, salty case for lying ahull in extreme conditions, drawing on hard-earned lessons from cyclones, knockdowns, and a full capsize or two. His takeaway is simple but controversial: hull shape matters more than dogma. Older wineglass hulls shrug off breaking seas, while flatter modern designs can get bullied into a roll. It’s part seamanship lesson, part war story, and a reminder that heavy-weather tactics are never one-size-fits-all.

Top RS21 events to look forward to in 2026 (5 min read)
If you sail an RS21, 2026 is stacked. Think Europeans wrapped inside the RS Games in Germany, Worlds off Cannes, Nationals in Torbay and Italy, plus RS Fest heading to breezy San Francisco Bay. Big fleets, proper venues, and that tight one-design racing the class is known for. The RS21 momentum is real, and next season looks like a full-on global tour worth planning holidays around.

Top RS21 events to look forward to in 2026 (5 min read)
If you sail an RS21, 2026 is stacked. Think Europeans wrapped inside the RS Games in Germany, Worlds off Cannes, Nationals in Torbay and Italy, plus RS Fest heading to breezy San Francisco Bay. Big fleets, proper venues, and that tight one-design racing the class is known for. The RS21 momentum is real, and next season looks like a full-on global tour worth planning holidays around.

Youth Sailing/Development

Fair, safe and fun racing – that’s the plan for the 2026 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Squad (4 min read)
Eight young female sailors from Australia and New Zealand have kicked off the 2026 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Squad in Hobart, ahead of a packed week of racing. The focus is simple and refreshing: fair courses, safe sailing, and actually enjoying it. With identical boats, on-water coaching, and zero entry costs, the program is about confidence, friendships, and loving the sport. A proper pathway moment, not just another regatta.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

World Sailing wrapped up 2025 with a fast-cut highlight reel that jumps from Olympic classes to youth worlds, offshore milestones, and some seriously good foiling shots. It’s a greatest-hits edit of the year that was, with big regattas, emerging nations, and plenty of spray flying. No deep analysis here, just momentum, emotion, and a reminder of how wide the sport really is. A quick watch that gets you fired up for what 2026 might bring.