Mini Globe Race, Vendee Globe, and US Sailing news Mini Globe Race, Vendee Globe, and US Sailing news David Schmidt looks at the current racing news from a North American perspective While the eyes of the sailing world are rightfully glued to the Southern Ocean-exploits of the ongoing Vendée Globe sailors (see below), another round-the-world race is beginning to capture my imagination. by David Schmidt Posted 17 Dec 08:00 PST Vendée Globe Race Wednesday Update Vendée Globe Race Wednesday Update Three good men trading the lead The incredible three-sided battle, halfway across the frozen southern Pacific, midway between Tasmania and Cape Horn, continues at high speeds. by Vendée Globe media Posted 18 Dec 09:33 PST 2025 Melges 24 Southeast Regional Racing Circuit 2025 Melges 24 Southeast Regional Racing Circuit A new and exciting racing opportunity for all Melges 24 teams within the U.S. Southeast region The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) is thrilled to introduce the inaugural 2025 Southeast Racing Series (M24SERS), offering a new and exciting racing opportunity for all Melges 24 teams within the U.S. Southeast region. by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association Posted 18 Dec 06:32 PST Vendee Globe: A few hundred metres cover top group Vendee Globe: A few hundred metres cover top group Racing in the world's longest match race continues as the lead tightens further before rounding Horn Impossibly the lead has tightened further in the world single-handed, non-stop round the world matchracing championship - otherwise known as the Vendee Globe race. by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz Posted 18 Dec 06:30 PST All set at the 48th Palamós Christmas Race All set at the 48th Palamós Christmas Race 239 crews from 16 countries are set to compete The Christmas Race is the competition of reference for all sailors, and those who have participated know that it is not just another regatta in the calendar, and this is clear, especially outside of Spain. by Jaume Soler Posted 18 Dec 03:22 PST Vendée Globe Wednesday Morning Update Vendée Globe Wednesday Morning Update Another Day, Another Leader! Sébastien Simon on Groupe Dubreuil is the new leader of the Vendée Globe, just 2.3 nautical miles ahead of Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa and Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance. This incredible battle shows no signs of letting up. by Mark Jardine Posted 18 Dec 02:13 PST Allen Launches 'The Hardware Handbook' Allen Launches 'The Hardware Handbook' A new newsletter for sailing enthusiasts Allen, the UK's leading manufacturer of high-performance sailing hardware, is thrilled to announce the launch of its brand-new newsletter, The Hardware Handbook. by Allen Posted 18 Dec 00:30 PST Something good for all in the long range forecast Something good for all in the long range forecast The countdown to the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race continues The long range forecast conditions are likely to feature north easterly winds for the start of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. by Steve Dettre/RSHYR media Posted 17 Dec 22:16 PST Sunday's racing to decide 18ft Skiff NSW champion Sunday's racing to decide 18ft Skiff NSW champion It will all come down to two short course races in Sydney Harbour It will all come down to two short course races to decide which team will become the 2024-25 NSW 18ft skiff champion when the 16-boat fleet lines up for the final day's racing on Sydney Harbour next Sunday. by Frank Quealey Posted 17 Dec 21:57 PST WASZP takes flight with World Sailing WASZP takes flight with World Sailing Formal application made to become an official World Sailing class WASZP is proud to announce its formal application to become an official World Sailing class. Until now, WASZP has consciously operated outside the mainstream sailing infrastructure. by WASZP Class Posted 17 Dec 21:21 PST Technology dramatically aids weather forecasters Technology dramatically aids weather forecasters As they prepare the crews for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day Massive changes in technology over the last 20 years have dramatically aided weather forecasters, as they prepare the crews for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. by Steve Dettre/RSHYR media Posted 17 Dec 20:40 PST Rio wants to host 2027 America's Cup Rio wants to host 2027 America's Cup According to letters leaked into the Italian media, Rio de Janerio has its hat in the ring for AC38 According to letters leaked into the Italian media, Rio de Janerio has thrown its hat in the ring for the staging of the 38th America's Cup, expected to be sailed in 2027. by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ Posted 17 Dec 18:15 PST Vendée Globe Race Tuesday Update Vendée Globe Race Tuesday Update Three's company.. Many seasoned observers predicted this Vendée Globe might play out as a two cornered tussle between Charlie Dalin and the hugely talented, meticulous first timer Yoann Richomme. by Vendée Globe media Posted 17 Dec 09:15 PST Get ready for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 Get ready for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 Less than a month to go until registration is open With less than a month to go until registration is open for the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), has published the Notice of Race. by Louay Habib / RORC Posted 17 Dec 06:39 PST Loft 57: North Sails Podcast: Behind the scenes Loft 57: North Sails Podcast: Behind the scenes The episodes feature Loft 57 hosts Ken Read and Charlie Enright and a series of guests Loft 57, the North Sails podcast, opens the doors to the biggest names in sailing. The episodes feature Loft 57 hosts Ken Read and Charlie Enright, who dive into inspiring conversations. Follow the links below to listen to Loft 57 and join the discussion. by North Sails Posted 17 Dec 04:15 PST Vendée Globe Tuesday Morning Update Vendée Globe Tuesday Morning Update Yoann Richomme powers into the lead It is extraordinary that after 13,000 nautical miles sailed, just a few miles separate Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa and Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance. The two skippers are engaged in a match race with the Pacific Ocean as their playground. by Mark Jardine Posted 16 Dec 23:40 PST 2026 J24 Worlds set for Melbourne 2026 J24 Worlds set for Melbourne Being held at the iconic Sandringham Yacht Club The 2026 J24 World Championship is being held at the iconic Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne from the 4-11th November. This will be the 4th Worlds to be held in Australia and the second at Sandringham YC. by Simon Grain Posted 16 Dec 23:19 PST Vendee Globe: Lead change imminent Vendee Globe: Lead change imminent Second placed skipper, Youann Richomme is about to take the lead as the racers pass New Zealand Second placed skipper, Youann Richomme is about to take the lead as the racers pass New Zealand. At the latest sked (0200hrs) UTC current leader, Charlie Dalin was separated by just 4nm from Youann Richomme. by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz Posted 16 Dec 18:53 PST US Sailing Announces Nominees US Sailing Announces Nominees For 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, is pleased to announce nominees for the 2024 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, widely acknowledged as the premier individual sailing honors in the nation. by US Sailing Posted 16 Dec 15:11 PST Szabolcs Weöres retires from the Vendée Globe Szabolcs Weöres retires from the Vendée Globe Due to irreparable damage to the D2 shroud on his IMOCA Because of irreparable damage to the D2 shroud on his IMOCA, New Europe, Hungarian skipper Szabolcs Weöres has made the difficult decision to retire from Vendée Globe 2024-25. by Vendée Globe media Posted 16 Dec 12:37 PST Vendée Globe Race Monday Update Vendée Globe Race Monday Update Richomme's downwind speed advantage is telling Two days after snatching second from Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) Yoann Richomme, skipper of PAPREC ARKÉA is hard on the heels of Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance). by Vendée Globe media Posted 16 Dec 09:35 PST World Sailing publishes Accessibility Guide World Sailing publishes Accessibility Guide To support inclusion at events and venues World Sailing has published its first Accessibility Guide to support and advise event organisers and venues in making proactive changes to encourage a fully inclusive sport at all levels. by World Sailing Posted 16 Dec 08:38 PST Christmas Cup Regatta at at Royal Brighton YC Christmas Cup Regatta at at Royal Brighton YC Next stop Etchells World Championship in January The Christmas Cup Regatta was sailed from Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC) over 13-15 December 2024 ahead of the Etchells Pre-World and World Championship that will take place at the same venue from 3-5 and 9-14 January 2025 respectively. by Nic Douglass Posted 16 Dec 02:11 PST Vendée Globe Monday Morning Update Vendée Globe Monday Morning Update Pip Hare updates us from Medallia after dismasting After Medallia was dismasted in the Indian Ocean at 21:45 UTC on Sunday 15th December, Pip Hare updates us the situation on board. by Mark Jardine Posted 16 Dec 01:33 PST WMRT Shenzhen Bao'an Final 2024 Overall WMRT Shenzhen Bao'an Final 2024 Overall Ian Williams wins record-breaking eighth Match Racing Worlds title The 2024 World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final concluded, where Britain's Ian Williams Pindar by Manuport Logistics team of Jon Gundersen, Richard Sydenham, and Gerry Mitchell claimed their record-breaking eighth Match Racing Worlds title. by WMRT Posted 15 Dec 22:52 PST Medallia dismasted, 800 NM south of Australia Medallia dismasted, 800 NM south of Australia On Sunday 15th December at 21:45 UTC, Medallia dismasted, 800 NM south of Australia On Sunday 15th December at 21:45 UTC, Medallia dismasted, 800 NM south of Australia. This story is being updated. by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz Posted 15 Dec 18:39 PST Make me smile Make me smile Smiles and cash can always do amazing things. No cash, no splash, after all… Manly's pathway to progress looked at a way to attract and keep youth in sailing. Nice. Really nice. Now, what to do when you cannot replicate such a successful model? by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor Posted 15 Dec 13:00 PST Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 overall Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 overall J/70 and Melges 24 winners declared in Miami, USA The highly anticipated Bacardi Winter Series Event 1, held December 14-15 on Biscayne Bay, Miami, faced tough conditions as strong winds impacted the racing schedule for the 46 teams in the J/70 and Melges 24 fleets. by Luissa Smith Posted 15 Dec 12:47 PST Vendée Globe Race Sunday Update Vendée Globe Race Sunday Update A pacy Pacific on the cards Progressively breaking out of the high pressure ridge speeds are building for the back part of the group which is chasing the three leaders, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) and Seb Simon (Groupe Dubreuil). by Vendée Globe media Posted 15 Dec 09:14 PST Vendée Globe Sunday Morning Update Vendée Globe Sunday Morning Update Richomme closes on Dalin while fleet behind compresses Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa has closed to within 100 nautical miles of Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance with the battle for the Vendée Globe lead well and truly back on. by Mark Jardine Posted 15 Dec 01:18 PST 18ft Skiff NSW Championship Day 3 18ft Skiff NSW Championship Day 3 The race for the title will go down to the final day The race to decide the 2024-25 NSW 18ft skiff Championship winner will come down to the final day's racing on Sydney Harbour next Sunday after the two leading teams shared the honours in the two short course races contested on Sydney Harbour today. by Frank Quealey Posted 15 Dec 00:01 PST Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 Day 1 Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 Day 1 Big Breeze and Big Wins for 'Casting Couch' and 'Dark Horse' The two-day Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 opened Saturday for the forty-six teams racing in the J/70 and Melges 24 on Biscayne Bay, Miami. The strong breeze set the stage for a spectacular and thrilling showcase of speed, skill and teamwork. by Luissa Smith Posted 14 Dec 16:22 PST New rules for the Melges 24 class New rules for the Melges 24 class Reshaping what has long been the standard for the class An iconic image comes to mind for any Melges 24 enthusiast: four crew members hiking out while the helmsman, alone in the cockpit, steers with the rudder in one hand and the mainsheet in the other. by Mauro Melandri - Zerogradinord & PIret Salmistu Posted 14 Dec 08:27 PST Vendée Globe Race Saturday Update Vendée Globe Race Saturday Update When even the smallest success feels like a big victory A few days ago he said he was gunning for him. This morning when he regained second place on the Vendée Globe from Seb Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) delivered on his promise. by Vendée Globe media Posted 14 Dec 08:08 PST Musto Skiff interview: Wayne and Casey Bates Musto Skiff interview: Wayne and Casey Bates Father-son duo battle for glory at the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds Father and son duo, Wayne and Casey Bates, will go head-to-head in Sydney for the Musto Skiff World Championships in January as they compete for family bragging rights, as well as overall position. by International Musto Skiff Class Association Posted 14 Dec 07:51 PST World Match Racing Tour Final day 5 World Match Racing Tour Final day 5 French newcomers take on previous world champions in the semis French newcomers to the WMRT Final are up against 2022 Match Racing World Champion Nick Egnot-Johnson and seven-time Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams. by WMRT Posted 14 Dec 07:08 PST Champions crowned at season finale in Qatar Champions crowned at season finale in Qatar Switzerland's Maxime Chabloz lands first world title in final thriller Switzerland's Maxime Chabloz landed his first Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle Kite world championship crown at the third and final stop of the season at Qatar's Fuwairit Kite Beach when he finished just ahead of his closest title rival. by Ian MacKinnon Posted 14 Dec 06:24 PST Vendée Globe: Groupe APICIL rips out chainplate Vendée Globe: Groupe APICIL rips out chainplate Groupe APICIL has ripped out a chainplate during a wild broach, Seguin injured Groupe APICIL broached to windward in a strong gust and Damien Seguin heard a loud noise. A chainplate had torn off its anchor point, leaving a hole in the hull. by Vendee Globe Media/Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ Posted 14 Dec 02:42 PST Vendée Globe Saturday Morning Update Vendée Globe Saturday Morning Update Yoann Richomme on the charge and up to 2nd While leader Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance has completed 50% of the race, crossing the the theoretical halfway point, it is Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa who is on the charge, overtaking Sébastien Simon on Groupe Dubreuil. by Mark Jardine Posted 14 Dec 00:01 PST J/100 Stark Raving Mad wins 2024 Hot Rum Series J/100 Stark Raving Mad wins 2024 Hot Rum Series SRM leads sweep of overall podium- including two J/105s! There is an old wise tale about the three-race Hot Rum Series. One of the races will feature one '"perfect weather" day with sun, no clouds, flat seas, and a perfect westerly breeze that boats can reach/run around the course. by J-Boats Posted 13 Dec 23:27 PST