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Sailing News for February 06, 2026

Leadership and long-term thinking take center stage today as U.S. SailGP Team CEO Mike Buckley reflects on how pro sailing shaped his approach to decision-making, accountability, and setting the tone from the front, while SailGP and Apex Group extend their partnership through 2028 with a continued focus on meaningful change via programs like the Women’s Accelerator and broader sustainability goals. For America’s Cup diehards, the release of the full arbitration record from Barcelona 2024 pulls back the curtain on the legal and procedural machinery that underpins the modern Cup, offering clarity on everything from protocol tweaks to jurisdictional power. Practical seamanship rounds out the mix with a hard-earned guide to towing another boat offshore and a clear-eyed look at what seven figures really buys in today’s yacht market, before the action returns to the racecourse with a fast, feisty opening day of the 44Cup season where tight points and multiple winners set the tone early.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Mike Buckley: Pro Sailing Prepared Me For Boardroom Life (4 min read)
U.S. SailGP Team boss Mike Buckley says running a team feels a lot like calling tactics in a shifty breeze. Decision-making with incomplete info, owning the bad calls, and staying competitive every day all translate neatly from cockpit to boardroom. He’s big on leadership by example too. First at the gym, last to leave, and front and center even when results aren’t coming. It’s athlete-to-owner life, minus the excuses.

SailGP and Apex Group extend partnership to keep driving change on and off the water (4 min read)
SailGP and Apex Group are sticking together through 2028, locking in a three-season extension that’s about more than just racing. The partnership has already delivered the Women’s Accelerator Program, opening real pathways for women across sailing, engineering, and leadership roles. Next up is deeper research into breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, plus continued backing for sustainability targets. It’s long-term commitment, not logo-slapping, and it’s shaping what SailGP wants to be.

Arbitration in the 37th America’s Cup: the legal record of Barcelona 2024 (5 min read)
This isn’t a coffee-table Cup book. It’s the full legal backbone of AC37, compiling every arbitration decision, jury ruling, protocol tweak, and key document from Barcelona 2024 into one heavyweight volume. Edited by long-time Cup arbitrator Henry Peter, it also digs into thorny issues like AC75 continuity, Deed of Gift amendments, and who really holds jurisdiction. If you argue about the Cup online, this is the receipt.

Cruising

Boat towing at sea: how to tow astern (7 min read)
Towing another boat offshore sounds simple until you actually try it. Ben Meakins and the PBO crew put the textbook theory to work with two cruising yachts and quickly found out what holds up and what really doesn’t. Long, stretchy towlines, proper bridles, slow speeds, and constant VHF chatter are non-negotiable. The biggest takeaway? Practice this before it’s dark, windy, and someone’s engine has already quit.

What does seven figures buy you in today’s yacht market? (6 min read)
A million pounds still buys a serious yacht, but not quite the unicorn it once was. Rising build costs mean plenty of new 50ft-plus cruisers now nudge past seven figures, while production builders scrape under by sheer volume. The real sweet spot? Lightly used boats bought during the post-Covid boom, especially big cats and quality monohulls. Mono or multi, the takeaway is clear: plan the mission, plan the upgrades, and get good advice.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

The 2026 44Cup season kicked off in Puerto Calero with sunshine, 15 knots, and zero winter rust. Three races, three different winners, and the fleet already looks like it’s been arguing over inches for months. Artemis opens with a statement win, GRA comes out swinging with sharp starts and tidy speed, and the points are tight enough to make tomorrow spicy. One-design racing at its finest: fast, physical, and petty in the best way.