Cruising Helmsman

Sean Langman’s Back 2 Black has won the IRC Overall crown in the 384 nautical mile 2026 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. “This has to be the warmest edition of the race, and I don’t remember a race where the night was so warm and the day was so glorious,” Langman said. “A glorious finish, sunshine, running conditions, what more can you ask for.” Back 2 Black faced challenges early.

The Organising Authority for the legendary offshore catamaran race has officially released the Notice of Race (NOR) and finalised the dates for its highly anticipated return, scheduling the grueling 1,000-mile coastal gauntlet for May 7–20, 2028. Sailors and fans can download the official NOR document directly at worrell1000race.com. The announcement has triggered a massive wave of enthusiasm across the global sailing community.

Ino Veritas, skippered by James Neville, has successfully clinched line honours at the 2026 RORC Channel Race, securing both the Hugh Astor Trophy and the overall title under IRC, thus lifting the Channel Challenge Cup. The race commenced on Saturday, 25 July, navigating a challenging course of approximately 150 nautical miles from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, around various marks, and finishing in the Solent.

With less than two months remaining until the second Preliminary Regatta (PR2) in Naples, teams are intensifying their training efforts. The regatta, scheduled for 24-27 September, will see nine boats competing, including the debut of the American Racing Challenger Team USA. Following a sensational first regatta in Sardinia in May, where training time was limited, teams have ramped up preparations.

El Burrero, Gran Canaria, delivered another unforgettable chapter of the GWA Wingfoil World Tour as the world’s best Surf-Freestyle riders battled through powerful trade winds and perfectly shaped kickers in the penultimate event of the season. With 27 men and 18 women chasing crucial championship points and the World Titles still within reach, every heat carried enormous pressure.

Italy topped the 49er and Nacra 17 fleets, while Poland secured the 49erFX title with a race to spare during the 2026 Junior World Championship in Medemblik, Netherlands. The final day of racing featured intense competition, including three close finishes that highlighted the skill and determination of the sailors. In the 49er gold fleet, a match race ensued between Italy’s Lorenzo Pezzilli and Tobia Torroni and Germany’s Kjell Haschen and Iven Anton Fromm.

Ten different winners in ten group races make the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix the most competitive event to date. Spain’s Los Gallos have secured their second consecutive victory at the SailGP event, triumphing over Artemis, Explora Swiss, and Northstar in a closely contested four-boat final. The race concluded with Los Gallos edging out their competitors in a thrilling finish.

The fleet is racing north after a breathtaking start, sending competitors on a 386 nautical mile course to Main Beach. Smuggler, last year’s overall winner, was first through Sydney Heads, ahead of V5, Koa, Caol Ila, and Gusto. Caol Ila’s crew posted one of the cleanest starts of the fleet, keeping the heavy Maarten 67 moving through patchy conditions inside the Harbour.

Jean-Luc Petithuguenin’s French team on Paprec secured their first ever regatta win on the 52 SUPER SERIES when they held their nerve across two difficult, breezy final races, making no significant errors when their main title rivals both faltered, to win the Marina Rubicón Lanzarote 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week, the third event of the season for the world’s leading Grand Prix monohull circuit.

Matt Wearn has continued his remarkable winning streak in the ILCA 7, claiming victory at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta, the future sailing venue for the LA 2028 Olympic Games. The win marks Wearn’s third consecutive Sailing Grand Slam win since returning to competition following his historic back-to-back Olympic gold medals in Paris 2024.