Italian Ambrogio Beccaria claims an unexpected victory after a thrilling conclusion to the Vendée Arctique

The Vendée Arctique race came to a thrilling conclusion last night as Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA) on Allagrande Mapei snatched victory from the clutches of the longtime leader Sam Goodchild (GBR) on MACIF Santé Prévoyance in the very final stages of the race from France to the Arctic Circle and back.

Vendee Arctique: Breaking point – and beyond

When teams set out on a solo race to the Arctic Circle and back all of them knew that they would be venturing into new territory. No one had ever taken an IMOCA this far north, alone. In PlanetSail's third feature on this outstanding race, Matt Sheahan takes us through how the second half of the 3,500-nautical mile race played out.

2026 TP52 World Championship set to dazzle as 15 teams get ready to race in Porto Cervo

In competitive sailing’s brave new world, where ultra-fast foiling boats grab the majority of the headlines, the evergreen TP52 fleet and its 52 Super Series regattas stand out as a bastion of the gold standard of ‘conventional’ yacht racing. The '26 worlds in Porto Cervo look set to be a thriller.

Reigning Vendée Globe champion Charlie Dalin dies aged 42

Terribly sad news from France today of the death at the age of 42 of solo sailing legend Charlie Dalin, who won the Vendée Globe 2024-25, despite battling gastrointestinal cancer throughout the gruelling singlehanded around-the-world race.

Expert commentary from Yoann Richomme on the Vendée Arctique

Among those following the third edition of the Vendée Arctique – with the leading boats now well on their way to the turning point at the Arctic Circle – is the Paprec skipper Yoann Richomme. Ed Gorman finds out more.

Thumping north alone...

The start of the Vendée Arctique may have been a quiet affair when the fleet set off from les Sables d'Olonne on Sunday 7 June, but it didn't take long for the pain, stress, sea sickness and breakdowns to start. PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan report on the first half of this incredible race, plus he talk to skipper Francesca Clapcich about her unconventional approach to reaching her ultimate goal.

Fuel for the crew

After 15 years of physical and culinary endurance as an ocean racer, Giulio Bertelli founded Akta – a company that is serious about offshore nutrition.

Significantly faster and more liveable

Balance Catamarans is replacing its most successful model with a new one, re-designed throughout. The Balance 540 has a tough act to follow.