The America’s Cup just got more interesting with organisers extending the AC38 entry deadline to March 31, opening the door for potential late challengers and raising the prospect of a bigger, more unpredictable fleet in Naples, while World Sailing is actively encouraging bids for future world championships that could reshape offshore and match racing calendars. On the water, the ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Lanzarote delivered full-power racing in 20 plus knots, rewarding fitness, toughness, and depth as Italy underlined its dominance and Team GBR fought hard in a stacked fleet. Foiling continues to evolve with WASZP confirming a global partnership with Vakaros to bring GPS-based starts and cleaner racing to fleet foiling events, and the day wraps with Luna Rossa setting an early tone for 2026 as preparations quietly ramp up toward home-water pressure and the first steps on the road to AC38.

The U.S. SailGP Team is firmly in build mode as Anna Weis lays out a clear-eyed push toward podium results, focusing on process, data, and small gains that matter when race days are scarce, while the one-design world takes a big step forward with the inaugural VX One World Championship confirmed for Miami in 2027. Match racing delivered its usual intensity at the Warren Jones International Regatta as tight quarterfinals and unfinished semifinal battles set up a high-stakes finals day, and cruising sailors are grappling with far murkier decisions as reports grow of illegal but reportedly effective pyrotechnics being used to deter orca attacks off Iberia. Practical seamanship gets a reality check with a deep dive into why rigging fails and how to spot trouble before the mast comes down, and the day wraps with Russell Coutts offering a candid look at where SailGP is headed next, from rising contenders to bigger prize money and a league that looks set to stay unpredictable.

SailGP is back in focus with one month to go until the Sydney Sail Grand Prix returns to the Harbour with a 13-team fleet, twilight racing, and mounting pressure on Tom Slingsby and the Flying Roos to defend at home, while veteran racer Moose McClintock makes a strong case for cleaner, calmer rule use as the key to better racing across all levels. Olympic pathways sharpen with Jim Colley stepping in as Australia’s new 49erFX national coach, and match racing delivers on both ends of the age spectrum as Royal Hospital School claims the RYA Schools title and Marcello Torre stays unbeaten at the Warren Jones in Fremantle. Offshore and cruising sailors get thoughtful perspective on how much modern tech really matters in events like the ARC, paired with a sobering look at what rescue electronics can and cannot do when someone goes overboard, while Craig Wood’s record-setting solo Pacific crossing brings the focus back to preparation, adaptability, and grit. The day wraps with a behind-the-scenes look at Team Malizia’s new IMOCA build as the long game toward the Ocean Race and Vendée Globe quietly begins.

SailGP is heading to Valencia for the first time on a multi-year deal starting in 2026, giving the U.S. SailGP Team and the rest of the fleet a proven, high-energy venue with reliable breeze and a city that knows elite sailing, while behind the scenes SailGP Technologies races the clock to repair the Black Foils’ battered F50 in time for Auckland after a heavy Perth collision. Inshore and offshore racing offer contrasting rhythms, from the slow-burn tactical grind of Seattle’s Round-the-County to recognition for scoring expert Huw Pearce, whose quiet work keeps regattas running smoothly worldwide. Cruising sailors get both ends of the seamanship spectrum with a classic sawdust trick for slowing wooden boat leaks and a gripping first-person account of abandoning a flooding catamaran offshore, while the day rounds out with a new SeaPeople and Doyle Sails partnership and a standout video chat with Glenn Ashby on going from farm chores to racing an F50 with almost no notice.

Perth proved to be a turning point for the U.S. SailGP Team as Andrew Campbell pointed to real gains in heavy-air confidence, foil control, and decision-making that mattered more than raw results, setting the stage for momentum heading into Auckland. At the other end of the sport, Gary Jobson makes a compelling case for Portsmouth racing as the simplest way to get forgotten boats and sailors back on the line, while offshore attention shifts to Australia with entries opening for the fast and tactical Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race. Youth sailing delivered tight margins and nonstop action at the biggest C420 Team Race Midwinters yet in Miami, and the day is anchored by a landmark achievement as The Famous Project completes the first all-female non-stop circumnavigation, closing out with a hands-on look at the Melges 19 as a boat designed for sailors who want performance without unnecessary complexity.

The Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix delivered more than just a win for Emirates GBR, with fresh data showing DS Team France quietly dominating starts, lead time and consistency before the Brits struck late with ruthless racecraft, proving once again that SailGP rewards timing as much as pace. Ashore, Auckland’s Anniversary Day Regatta is set to turn the Waitematā into a full-scale spectacle with record fleets, new features and classic harbour theatre, while offshore attention stays locked on the Jules Verne Trophy as the all-women crew aboard IDEC SPORT pause smartly near the Azores to repair damage and wait out brutal winter conditions. Cruisers get a look at the new Swan 51 blending space and performance for modern Mediterranean sailing, practical sailors dive into a hands-on guide to adding reefs and luff slides to an old mainsail, and the day wraps with a sharp-eyed video breakdown of the controversial Perth collision that left both teams frustrated and the rulebook firmly under the microscope.

The Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix delivered more than just a win for Emirates GBR, with fresh data showing DS Team France quietly dominating starts, lead time and consistency before the Brits struck late with ruthless racecraft, proving once again that SailGP rewards timing as much as pace. Ashore, Auckland’s Anniversary Day Regatta is set to turn the Waitematā into a full-scale spectacle with record fleets, new features and classic harbour theatre, while offshore attention stays locked on the Jules Verne Trophy as the all-women crew aboard IDEC SPORT pause smartly near the Azores to repair damage and wait out brutal winter conditions. Cruisers get a look at the new Swan 51 blending space and performance for modern Mediterranean sailing, practical sailors dive into a hands-on guide to adding reefs and luff slides to an old mainsail, and the day wraps with a sharp-eyed video breakdown of the controversial Perth collision that left both teams frustrated and the rulebook firmly under the microscope.

The road to the 38th America’s Cup is officially underway with match dates set for July 2027 in Naples and Britain confirming Dylan Fletcher back on the helm as the newly branded GB1 begins to take shape, while offshore racing is delivering its own tension as GLOBE40 leaders CREDIT MUTUEL and BELGIUM OCEAN RACING go toe to toe with less than 300 miles to run after nearly two weeks at sea. In the dinghy world, qualifying is done and the pressure is rising at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Lanzarote where Gold Fleet racing kicks off with leaderboards still razor tight, alongside a reflective look at why the Flying Fifteen continues to charm sailors across generations, blending speed, forgiveness and pure sailing joy.

The 2026 sailing season is already delivering extremes, with SailGP opening in wild Perth conditions where Emirates GBR picked up straight from last year, Artemis stunned on debut and familiar names and surprise guests added plenty of colour, while Sydney Harbour produced classic 18ft Skiff drama as the Australian title was decided on the final run with history made by Emma Rankin. Offshore racing took a far more sobering turn during the RORC Transatlantic Race following the loss of a crew member mid ocean, a stark reminder of the risks that sit behind the sport’s biggest challenges, while the future of dinghy sailing looks busy and bright as RS Games 2026 entries surged past 100 sailors in just 48 hours. Ashore, practical seamanship gets a win with a smart DIY fix for a seized windscreen wiper motor, and the day finishes in full nerd mode with a deep dive into the cost, complexity and sheer speed of modern foiling Moths versus the simpler Switch.

High-performance racing and hard reality sit side by side today as Mack One once again stamped its authority on the VX One class with a seventh Australian national title, while offshore sailing showed both its brilliance and its risk during a dramatic mid-ocean rescue in the RORC Transatlantic Race. The pressure is also building at the sharp end of ocean records as Thomas Coville and Sodebo Ultim 3 push hard against the clock in the Jules Verne Trophy, chased by an all-female crew writing their own chapter of history, while the next generation is already in survival mode at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Lanzarote. Cruisers get a first look at the new Hallberg-Rassy 370 proving its manners straight out of the gate, and the day finishes with a statement performance as Raven shatters the RORC Transatlantic monohull record, signalling just how fast offshore racing is about to get.

Emirates GBR have defended their SailGP Impact League title for the second year running and now head into Abu Dhabi with a chance to complete an unprecedented on-water and off-water double, while the racing picture is shifting fast as Peter Burling is sidelined through injury, substitute drivers step in across multiple teams and new wings and foils promise an unpredictable $2 million Grand Final. Away from SailGP, today’s lineup delivers practical value for everyday sailors, from smart and often funny real-world advice on keeping insects and rats off your boat to a critical new lithium battery fire safety checklist following several high-profile incidents, alongside a spotlight on Great Lakes standout Bob Hughes and a deep-dive wingsail masterclass that pulls back the curtain on how SailGP’s F50s really work.

Match racing takes a major step east with AMAALA Yacht Club confirmed as host of future World Match Racing Tour finals, locking in equal prize money and a new Middle East hub. Offshore eyes stay glued to the clock as Sodebo Ultim 3 holds a narrow lead deep into its Jules Verne Trophy attempt. Ashore, structured investment in high-performance pathways is starting to show real returns, while cruisers look beyond tradewinds toward longer, more varied routes.