Cruising Helmsman

The one thing that all teams battle in every America’s Cup is time. They never have enough, and after a thrilling first regatta in May in Sardinia that feels like yesterday, suddenly the second Prelim Regatta, PR2 Naples, is upon us. It is now just one week to go before the first day of official practice racing on Thursday 24th September and all the teams are into their final preparations and eagerly eyeing the weather forecasts being delivered by the team meteorologists.

On September 17, the second day of the Platu25 World Sailing Championship took place, organised by the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese and sponsored by local municipalities and the Marche Region. All three scheduled races were held today. Lithuania’s “Manu” won the first race, with LNI Mandello del Lario’s “Pirillina” in second and “Aftershock” in third. In the second and third races, the Australian team “Aftershock” returned to the top of the standings, winning both races.

The 2026 World Championship for the RC44s will take place next week on the Solent, out of Cowes, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron and Team Aqua owner Chris Bake. As usual in this highly competitive owner-driver fleet, second-guessing the outcome between the nine teams is difficult. Currently leading the 2026 44Cup championship is Markus Törnqvist’s GeMera Racing.

Newport, R.I. — A couple of fresh faces took race wins on Day 3 of the Women’s International Championship presented by State Street Investment Management and SPY. However, the leading team, Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick and Team Vigilant, strengthened their dominant position, leading the regatta by a remarkable 30 points and averaging just over 2 points per race. Team Vigilant has finished no race worse than fourth, showcasing their consistency.

Porto Cervo, 17 September 2026. The 23rd Rolex Swan Cup produced a perfect day of racing, with sunshine and a Mistral wind of between 16 and 26 knots providing all classes with the ideal conditions that have made the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago a prized regatta destination for sailors from all over the world. The ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 36 classes completed three windward-leeward races, while the ClubSwan 42, 43, and 28 classes sailed their two scheduled races.

Day 11 of the McIntyre Golden Globe Race 2026 sees exciting developments as leaders Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless reach Lanzarote. The race commenced on 6 September from Les Sables-d’Olonne, and after eight days of varied sailing conditions, the fleet faces another wind challenge ahead. Guillou, aboard his Rustler 36 SOLAREM, completed a masthead repair after arriving at Marina Rubicón for a brief film drop on 16 September.

FOCUS KEYPHRASE: NYYC Women’s International Championship KEYPHRASE SYNONYMS: Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick, Team Vigilant, sailing regatta, leaderboard update, women’s sailing event SEO TITLE: Day 2 Highlights from NYYC Women’s Championship META DESCRIPTION: Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick leads after Day 2 in NYYC Women’s International Championship.

HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has confirmed the field for the 2026 Bermuda Gold Cup, featuring an expanded fleet of 12 invited skippers, up from eight in the past. The regatta will take place from October 13-18 and serves as a key stage of the World Match Racing Tour before its final in Saudi Arabia in November. This year’s event will unite the world’s top men’s and women’s match racing sailors in a single competition.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have recorded their busiest August on record, capping an exceptionally busy winter as crews prepare for a surge in boating activity during the spring school holidays. Volunteers across the state completed 273 search and rescue missions in August, including 97 emergency responses, safely returning 538 people to shore. This record August surpassed the previous high of 267 missions recorded in August 2022.

Valletta, Malta – Just as the northern hemisphere begins to think of shorter days and the need for warmer clothes, the offshore racing community looks to grab one more chance to indulge their passion for testing skill, resilience, and determination on the water over two or more days. Starting from Grand Harbour, annually in October, the 606 nautical mile Rolex Middle Sea Race has delivered on this restless desire every year since 1968.