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Sailing News for March 05, 2026

The data behind Sydney’s SailGP win shows the U.S. didn’t just get lucky, they sailed smarter, using a race-high 50 maneuvers to stay out of dirty air on Day 1 before backing it up with blistering starts and the weekend’s top speed on Day 2, while Denmark’s ROCKWOOL crew quietly impressed with the most foiling time in marginal breeze. Looking further ahead, World Sailing has opened bidding for the 2030–2031 World Sailing Championships, the key Olympic qualifier for Brisbane 2032, using a split-host format that could spread the biggest Olympic-class regatta across multiple venues. Cruising sailors get a look at the new Excess 13, a lightweight cat built to actually be sailed rather than just parked at anchor, while a warning from navigation experts reminds everyone that GPS spoofing and GNSS interference are real threats and that old-school navigation skills still matter. In the performance world, the reality behind cutting-edge foiling machines is that true speed takes years to unlock, even with the wildest tech, and the sailing highlight of the day brings things back to basics with a reminder that clear air, strong hiking and simple boat speed still win more races than clever tricks.

Sail GP/America’s Cup

Data Dive: Sydney Sail Grand Prix (3 min read)
The numbers behind Sydney’s SailGP showdown show how the U.S. team quietly outplayed the fleet. On Day 1, Taylor Canfield’s crew stayed clear of dirty air by making a race-high 50 maneuvers, basically sailing their own game while others fought it out. Day 2 flipped the script with blistering starts, the fastest speed at the line, and the weekend’s top speed of 46.2 km/h. Meanwhile Denmark’s ROCKWOOL team impressed with ultra-efficient sailing and the most foiling time in light winds. Turns out patience plus clean execution wins races.

Olympic Class/Dinghy Sailing

World Sailing invites bids for the 2030–2031 World Sailing Championships (3 min read)
World Sailing has officially opened the bidding for the 2030–2031 World Sailing Championships, the main Olympic qualification event for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The regatta will use the newer split-host format, meaning two venues could share the event across different sessions. That opens the door for more cities to get involved and host parts of the biggest Olympic-class sailing regatta on the planet. Interested hosts have until April 2026 to submit initial bids, with final proposals due in September.

Cruising

The Excess Spirit (6 min read)
The new Excess 13 cruising cat is basically the sailing version of a VW camper van. Simple, sporty, and built for people who want to actually sail, not just lounge at anchor. The 13m cat keeps things light and functional with twin helms, a low profile deckhouse for better visibility, and a layout aimed at long adventures. Smart touches like rainwater collection, clever storage, and natural ventilation make it practical for life aboard. Bottom line: a cruising cat that still feels fun to drive.

Tech & Gear

GNSS-enabled electronic devices have “cyber-security vulnerability” (6 min read)
A navigation expert is warning sailors that many modern marine gadgets, from MOB beacons to chartplotters, could be vulnerable to GPS spoofing or jamming. Because so many devices now rely on GNSS signals, attackers can trick them into showing the wrong position or even the wrong time, which can break onboard systems. In extreme cases, ships have reportedly “jumped” hundreds of miles on screens due to spoofing. The takeaway is simple: keep your old-school nav skills sharp and don’t assume electronics will always have your back.

Foiling

The slow, slow road to becoming flat-out fastest (5 min read)
Offshore race boats look like they’re evolving overnight, but the reality is much slower. Even with wild new foils and space-age systems, it can take years before teams actually unlock the speed these machines promise. Case in point: Thomas Coville’s Ultim trimaran Sodebo only shaved 12 hours off a round-the-world record set back in 2017, despite huge tech leaps. Boats like the foiling superyacht Raven and the new Gitana Ultim may look unstoppable, but crews say it takes years of testing before they’re truly ready to go full throttle. Fast boats, slow learning curve.

Sailing Highlight of the Day

Dan Self breaks down five classic mistakes that quietly sink a lot of sailors’ results. The big one is simple but brutal: if you can’t hike hard, you won’t be fast upwind, which is where most races are won. He also calls out timid starts, getting stuck in dirty air, steering downwind too much with the rudder instead of body movement, and over-tacking while chasing tiny shifts. The theme is clear: sail fast first, keep clear air, and stop overthinking every little wind change.