This week’s racing had everything, from photo finishes to champagne breeze and raw speed. Dylan Fletcher and Team GBR snatched a last second SailGP victory in Cadiz, setting up a fierce Abu Dhabi showdown. In Saint Tropez, perfect 15 knot winds crowned Karel Komarek’s V and other maxi champions in style. New designs made waves too, with J Boats unveiling its nimble J7 and De Antonio’s D60 turning heads as Spain’s latest 60 foot powerhouse. And in Sardinia, the Formula Kite Worlds ended in a spray soaked sprint that showed the future of foiling is fast and fearless.

This week is all about resilience and reinvention on (and off) the water. SailGP’s leaders, the Flying Roos, are in Cádiz eyeing yet another title push, while the forecast promises tricky foiling conditions. Inshore, Georgia Clancy breaks barriers at the Manly 16s with a podium finish, and the RS500 Nationals showcase youth on the rise. Olympic formats face turmoil ahead of LA 2028, and South Australia crowns its Youth Champs. Cruising couples prove Alzheimer’s isn’t the end of adventures, and a new diversity report warns sailing must widen its welcome. Finally, don’t miss the RYA’s gritty 24-hour dinghy race highlight.

This week delivers speed and milestones. A new SailGP video captures Jimmy Spithill’s champagne-soaked farewell in Cádiz, as he hands the helm to Taylor Canfield. On the frozen side of sailing, DN iceboats rocket past 60 mph in a sport equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Offshore, Team Allegiant became the first all-women crew to conquer the Annapolis–Newport Race, while the Sydney–Auckland Ocean Race gears up with its final entry. Meanwhile, the RYA and CA are rallying sailors to report lobster pot hazards, and youth cats kick off their winter training at WPNSA.

The penultimate SailGP stop in Cádiz promises fireworks as the U.S. hunts another Final, Germany surges, and Spain fights to stay in the title race. Newport’s 12 Metres and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez reminded us why classic yachts still thrill, while Sardinia gears up for Formula Kite Worlds with Aussie talent in the mix. Cruising fans will find the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers celebrating its 40th crossing and IC24 sailors taking their lumps in St. Thomas. Add in a versatile Hawk 20, a Mini 6.50 spotlight, and rare footage of Dogzilla before its Cup triumph, and you’ve got a packed week.

Sailing served up contrast this week. The Golden Globe Race is set to return in 2026 with record entries and old-school grit, while Andrew Campbell eyes a U.S. SailGP breakthrough in Cádiz. Offshore, one sailor’s 3,000-mile Pacific crossing tested the limits of endurance and solitude. Inshore, the Melges 24 Worlds roared to a finale in Bora winds, sealing a nail-biting championship. The Sunfish class is splitting paths between hardcore racers and casual cruisers, and rust-stained boats meet their match with a new cleaner. And in Sassnitz, SailGP produced jaw-dropping drama and a miracle repair that led to a fairytale French win.

Big stories this week span past, present, and future. The Congressional Cup is back for its 61st edition in Long Beach with the Ficker Cup as qualifier and the iconic Crimson Blazer up for grabs. Offshore, New Zealand’s Aaron Hume-Merry and Anna Merchant earned their golden ticket to the Worlds final after a 12-hour Solent thriller. Cruisers get practical with short-handed rescue drills and medical emergency prep, while Tech & Gear breaks down how to keep your outboard steering alive. And in Sardinia, wingfoil history was made as Maddalena Spanu and Mathis Ghio claimed the sport’s first world titles.

The season is heating up fast. Sydney Harbour’s 18ft skiffs are back with The Kitchen Maker marking 15 seasons of spray and spectacle. In the Med, Ibiza JoySail wrapped its biggest regatta yet while the TP52s battled through three races in Porto Cervo, Sled seizing the overall lead. In Trieste, the Melges 24 Worlds saw Gamecock charge into contention and the Corinthian fleet rally from setbacks. Cruisers will want to check out Nikki Henderson’s ten essential multihull skills and the versatile Sirius 35 DS deck-salon. And in the workshop, air tools show why sanding doesn’t need to be slow torture.

SailGP Geneva delivered fireworks as Germany grabbed their first win, the U.S. found form, and Switzerland hit the podium at home. Add in new foils and the surprise Artemis Racing announcement, and the league just got spicier. On Long Island, the Six Metre Worlds finally lit up with Bribon and Momo II stealing headlines. Dee Caffari launches a new RYA podcast digging into Britain’s Olympic sailing dominance, while a family of eight completes a 5,000-mile South American odyssey. Tech tips on compass care, Cure Marine’s bold new cats, and SP80’s kite-powered speed quest round out the week.

Momentum is building across the fleets. Switzerland SailGP scored their first home podium on Lake Geneva, proving they are no longer underdogs. In Oyster Bay, the Six Metre Worlds finally got underway with Eau Vive and Jill setting the pace in light, tricky airs. Down under, Adelaide is bracing for the ZHIK Youth Sail SA Championships where Youth Worlds spots are on the line. Cruisers will eye the innovative Pegasus 50, while a clever DIY hull skirt shows how to outsmart the weather during antifouling. Micky Beckett closes with an ILCA masterclass on going flat and fast.

This week brings plenty of drama. Team Germany stunned the fleet with their first SailGP victory on Lake Geneva, while Oyster Bay gears up for a Six Metre Worlds packed with legends and new designs. On Lake Garda, Andrew Mills secured his first OK Dinghy world title against a record fleet, and the Classic Yacht Challenge wrapped with timeless yachts stealing the spotlight. WASZPs lit up Parkstone YC with fast foiling and off-water fun. In Tech & Gear we look at engine mount replacements and a clever electric winch conversion. Big action, big stories, time to dive in.

SailGP swaps the Med for the Alps this weekend with Lake Geneva set to host its first-ever Grand Prix. Offshore, the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart has topped 100 entries, promising a record breaking fleet. Youth sailors are making waves, from Wales’ gritty championship to GBR’s 2025 Youth Worlds squad. Cruising tales include Nico Jonville’s Pegasus 50 Sine Finis, built to chase horizons without borders. In the spotlight, Ella Hibbert becomes the first British woman to solo the Northwest Passage, a milestone in polar sailing. Finally, jump onboard with Tom and Guy for RS800 skiff chaos at the Nationals.

SailGP swaps the Med for the Alps this weekend with Lake Geneva set to host its first-ever Grand Prix. Offshore, the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart has topped 100 entries, promising a record breaking fleet. Youth sailors are making waves, from Wales’ gritty championship to GBR’s 2025 Youth Worlds squad. Cruising tales include Nico Jonville’s Pegasus 50 Sine Finis, built to chase horizons without borders. In the spotlight, Ella Hibbert becomes the first British woman to solo the Northwest Passage, a milestone in polar sailing. Finally, jump onboard with Tom and Guy for RS800 skiff chaos at the Nationals.