Happy Thursday everyone...
In today's newsletter:
- Simon van Velthooven, three-time America's Cup winner with Team New Zealand, retires from elite sport
- Matt Wearn Confirms LA2028 Campaign as he chases historic 'Three-Peat'
- Aotearoa Ocean Racing's Conrad Colman joined by top trail biker for Transat Café l'OR
- TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR 2025 Class 40 Preview
- Berntsson battles to the top after a flawless second day at the Bermuda Gold Cup
- Quiz Question...
Simon van Velthooven, three-time America's Cup winner with Team New Zealand, retires from elite sport
Three-time America’s Cup winner Simon van Velthooven has retired from professional sport after a unique career that traversed sailing and cycling – write the Stuff sports reporters.
The 36-year-old was one of Team New Zealand’s power athletes in their cyclor innovation after switching from elite track cycling, where he collected bronze and silver medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Cyclors have been ditched for a battery in the next America’s Cup cycle, removing the need for endurance athletes to pedal furiously to provide the boats their power source.
Van Velthooven was recruited for Team NZ’s 2017 campaign in Bermuda when they won the first of three successive America’s Cups, with the revolutionary addition of cyclors one of the key factors in the Kiwis beating Oracle Team USA to take the Auld Mug.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live out two sporting dreams; representing New Zealand on the Olympic stage and winning a medal in London 2012 at age 23, and then contributing to three history-making America’s Cup campaigns,” van Velthooven said in a statement.
“Both experiences pushed me beyond what I thought possible and I’m grateful for every challenge, lesson, and teammate along the way. It now feels like the right time to close this chapter and explore what comes next.”
Van Velthooven was retained on Team NZ’s boat for their Auckland defence in 2021, even with grinders, sailing’s more traditional power source, replacing cyclors for that cycle onboard the AC75 foiling monohulls.
Cyclors — and their leg power — returned for the next Cup victory in Barcelona. Van Velthooven, Dougal Allan, Hamish Bond, Louis Crosby, Marius van der Pol and Cam Webster were Team NZ’s muscle last year.
However, they are unlikely to return to sailing’s prized event because of the introduction of a battery to replicate their power on the AC75s...
Matt Wearn Confirms LA2028 Campaign as he chases historic 'Three-Peat'
After 15 months away from his ILCA7 dinghy, double Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn is back, refreshed, refocused, and ready to make history, again – reports the Australian Sailing Team website.
The Australian sailing star today confirmed his return to the water, announcing a campaign towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games, where he’ll attempt something never done before, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the Men’s Dinghy class.
“I’ll be continuing to do an LA campaign, trying to go to a third Olympics and ultimately do the three-peat,” said Wearn.
For most, the pressure of defending a gold medal would be daunting. But for Wearn, it’s familiar territory, and one he’s already conquered. After winning gold in Tokyo 2020, he successfully defended his title in Paris, becoming the first sailor to ever win back-to-back Olympic golds in the Men’s Dinghy ILCA7 (formerly Laser).
“Defending it last time, there was that pressure there, and obviously, no one had done it before either, so there was that aspect to it as well,” Wearn explained. “But this time it feels slightly different.
“I think I’ve proven the first time wasn’t a fluke and that I can turn up and win that gold medal. To have the chance to maybe go back and do it again, hopefully in a bit more of a relaxed environment, to enjoy the experience of the campaign rather than just the pressure of defending - that’s exciting.”
Time to Reset
The road between Tokyo and Paris was tough for Wearn. With the Olympic cycle shortened to just three years and a battle with long-COVID sidelining him for a full season, the campaign was all but straightforward.
“It felt like it was all against the clock the whole time,” he admitted. “I know Olympic campaigns always feel that way, but it felt especially so last time. We never really had those typical physical peaks and troughs.”
After Paris, he knew he needed a full reset, physically, mentally, and to find the joy in sailing again.
“It’s been super important to have this time off,” he said. “It’s been about 15 months now, which feels like it’s flown by. I’ve been able to switch off completely, ride my bike when I want, go to the gym if I feel like it.”
Wearn has also been expanding his sailing credentials beyond the Olympic circuit, gaining valuable experience in larger teams and more technical boats. He competed at the Etchells World Championship alongside America’s Cup legend John Bertrand and Olympic champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz, and raced aboard the Maxi yacht Leopard 3 in events including the Cowes to St Malo Race, the Maxi Yacht World Championships, and Les Voiles de St Tropez.
In addition, Wearn has begun sharing his knowledge with the next generation, stepping into a coaching role with the Australian Sailing Futures men’s squad at the U21 ILCA World Championships in Ireland in August.
“It’s been nice to go and do some other sailing and find the enjoyment again,” said Wearn. “Whether cruising around with friends and family out in twilight or racing maxi yachts.”
It wasn’t until recently that the drive to get back in the ILCA returned...
Aotearoa Ocean Racing's Conrad Colman joined by top trail biker for Transat Café l'OR
On Sunday, eighteen double-handed crews will depart from Le Havre to embark on the Transat Café l’OR, formerly Transat Jacques Vabre, a storied transatlantic race that has sailed this oceanic course since 1993 – reports The Ocean Race website.
For the Transat Café l’OR Aotearoa Ocean Racing's Conrad Colman has been joined by top French ultra-distance runner Mathieu Blanchard, who is new to sailing. Blanchard won the 625km Yukon Artic Ultra earlier this year, and will then take on the TransMartinique, a 134 km trail run through the rugged terrain of Martinique, after the race finish.
Covering 4,350 nautical miles, from the English Channel down into tropical trade winds, their destination is Fort-de-France, Martinique. In this 17? edition, the IMOCA fleet joins Ultim, Ocean Fifty and Class40.
Earlier this month, Aotearoa Ocean Racing (AOR), New Zealand’s newest national sports team, has announced its European strategy during the first-ever Kiwi Marine Technology Symposium held in Lorient, France.
Organised in partnership with regional economic agencies Brétagne Next and Audelor, the two-day symposium brought together innovators, athletes, and business leaders under the Brittany sunshine to explore the shared future of marine technology and ocean racing.
A VIP delegation of guests took part in curated sessions, sailing experiences with AOR skipper and co-founder Conrad Colman, and visits to leading marine technology companies including SeAir, FC Cube, Avel Robotics, and Lorima.
“This event is about connection—between innovation, nations, and people who share the ocean as a stage,” said Conrad Colman, co-founder and skipper of AOR. “France and New Zealand are world leaders in both performance sailing and sustainable marine technology. Bringing those worlds together here in Lorient is the start of something powerful.”
In attendance were diplomatic representatives from both France and New Zealand, professional sailors, global tech and marine enterprises, and well-known New Zealand athletes including Liv Mackay, strategist for the New Zealand SailGP team The Black Foils, and Michael Ruru, half-back for local rugby club Vannes. The event also featured a special virtual address from legendary former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick, underscoring the growing sense of antipodean pride and connection.
Co-founder Rowan Gyde presented AOR’s long-term vision to establish a sustainable and collaborative pathway between France and New Zealand. The strategy focuses on building economic partnerships, developing talent pathways, and fostering innovation across both marine technology and ocean racing sectors.
“Our mission goes beyond sport,” said Gyde. “We see a real opportunity to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between our two nations while inspiring the next generation—especially women, youth, and Maori and Pasifika sailors—to see offshore sailing and marine innovation as a future they can belong to...
TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR 2025 Class 40 Preview
Once again the Class40s will have the most boats on the starting line of the TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR Le Havre Normandie next Sunday, with 42 duos competing – reports the event website.
Two years ago their epic start was one of the most memorable images of the last edition, battling off the start line in big winds and big seas lit by beautiful sunshine.
The Class40s set off at full speed and the race remained close right to the finish line off Fort-de-France. The top six crossed the Martinique finish line within 11 hours of each other.
Racing Allagrande Pirelli, Ambrogio Beccaria became the first Italian skipper to win since 2007, the first big year on the Coffee Route for Class40, when Giovanni Soldini and Pietro D’Ali won into Salvado de Bahia, Brazil.
Beccaria’s compatriot Alberto Bona, racing with Spain’s Pablo Santurdetook third. In 2023 there were no outstanding favourites and that is the case again on this 17th edition. Beccaria now has an IMOCA project and races with two times back-to-back winner Thomas Ruyant.
There are 42 boats entered. Class40 continues to attract talented, committed amateurs whose programmes are part time, and well funded professionals, but together the class means as many people as possible can take on the most prestigious Transatlantic races at achievable budgets. In Le Havre right now there are a lot of good teams with good boats.
Vincent Riou winner of the Vendée Globe (2004-2005), is racing in the class on the Pogo S4 Pierreval Fondation GoodPlanet and describes it as "a great field.” He sails with a successful businessman Pierre Doffin, an amateur who is looking to test himself on the Atlantic. Riou is well up to speed with the competition:
"It's truly a strong class with a promising future with very high-level skippers. And it's still difficult to say who will win."Says Riou.
This is due in part to the quality and experience of the strongest duos, many of whom have come in recent years from the Figaro, but also to the evolution of the scow bowed monohulls.
"The boats are both demanding and hard to handle," 2000 and 2008 Vendée Globe Michel Desjoyeaux recently told us. "You mustn't forget that we're going as fast as when I was at the helm of PRB in 2000! On these boats, you can't be bored!"
"In this class, everyone can have their moment of glory," Riou continues. "The Lifts have a greater advantage when reaching, while the Pogo S4s and Musas have a greater advantage when downwind. The boats are very distinctive, which makes the race very open."
Douguet-Tréhin, a slight advantage?
It's a new Lift V3, launched this year, that many are tipping as the narrow favourite for the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie Class40. Corentin Douguet’s boat (Faits un don à SNSM) sees the Frenc ace return to the class as skipper three years after winning the championship in 2022. This year, aboard the boat designed by Marc Lombard, he's teamed up with Axel Tréhin.
And the duo is impressive: winners of the CIC Normandy Channel Race – arguably the toughest tes each year - and then the Rolex Fastnet Race.
"It's the boat that dominated the season, even though we knew they would be fierce competitors," confides Achille Nebout(Amarris). "They put on a masterclass in every race they entered," adds Guillaume Pirouelle (Seafrigo – Sogestran).
"Are we the favorites? I'm not going to say we are not, that's why we are here.” smiles Corentin Douguet. "But we're not the only ones; there are about ten boats that could be in contention for the podium."
Outsiders galore
Among them is Fabien Delahaye (Legallais), 2013 winner with Sébastien Rogues who. He sails with past 470 Olympian Pierre Leboucher on a Lift V2 which was launched in 2023). They won Les Sables Horta. They only just finished ahead of another pair of podium contenders, Spain’s Pep Costa and Pablo Santurde del Arco (VSF).
In his first season in the VSF colors, Catlan Pep has done well (2nd in the Rolex Fastnet Race), and Santander’s Santurde is the perfect co-skipper who has always finished on the podium on this race, winning with Nicolas Carpentier in 2021, third in 2017 with Phil Sharp, second in 2013 with Alex Pella and third last edition with Alberto Bona.
Achille Nebout and Gildas Mahé (Amarris) need watching too as they were second two years ago and are winners of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo and the Med Max. They are looking forwards to this race after being sidelines this season because of a dismasting.
"They're working at full speed and know each other very well," adds Corentin Douguet. Normandy’s favourites are Guillaume Pirouelle and Cédric Château (Seafrigo-Sogestran)who many tip for the podium, especially after them winning the most recent circuit event in Saint-Malo, Quentin Le Nabour and Thierry Chabagny (Bleu Blanc Planète Location) and Italians Lucas Rosetti and Matteo Sericano (Maccaferri Futura) could also shine at the front.
Heading into their first Transatlantic together are Ireland’s Pam Lee and her American co-skipper Jay Thompson on Lee’s Pogo S4 #EmpowHer. After learning the course last edition as part of the Engie Cap Pour Elles initiative, Lee has hopes of finishing around tenth or maybe a little better. …..“If we are tenth or better I will be delighted and if we are 15th or worse it will be disappointing," she noted.
Sasha Lanièce (Alderan) who sails with Germany’s Sanni Beucke competing in her first major race in Class40, is full of praise for the field. "I think they're all very strong," she says. "There's really a very good level – and the front of the race will be hard to win!"
Berntsson battles to the top after a flawless second day at the Bermuda Gold Cup
After an action packed opening day of collisions and comebacks at the Bermuda Gold Cup – the penultimate stage of the 2025 World Match Racing Tour – the second day saw defending champion Johnie Berntsson from Sweden get the better of a penalty-packed race against USA’s Chris Poole on his way to a flawless performance on the day.
Berntsson then shared the lead with Switzerland’s Eric Monnin with six skippers within a point of each other. In the Aspen Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Regatta, it is shaping up to be another epic battle between Sweden’s Anna Östling and defending champion Pauline Courtois from France, who bounced back from a disappointing opening day by winning all three races.
Defending champion Berntsson soared to the top of the leaderboard after a flawless day in Hamilton Harbour. After a disappointing opening day, in which he won just one race, Berntsson won all four of his races on day two to head the standings alongside Swiss skipper Eric Monnin.
Berntsson picked up wins against Ian Garreta/FRA, former match racing world champion Nick Egnot-Johnson/NZL and Great Britain’s Ian Williams, but it was his victory against USA’s Chris Poole that caught the eye with both sailors picking up penalties in a race packed with incident.
After penalties were handed out at the start, Berntsson was delighted to have come out on top of a fierce battle. “It was two penalties each and good, fun racing,” Berntsson said.
“In the dial-up at the pre-start, he [Poole] hit our stern and got a penalty. After that he got an overtake, which we thought he might have been given a red flag, but then we got a penalty and one we didn’t agree with the umpire about. We gained after the start, passed him and they came back at the second upwind mark and locked us up. Then we overtook him, did a gybe and he got a penalty.”
From being one of the back markers at the start of the day, Berntsson has passed almost the entire field in the space of four flights. “We saw that the conditions were the same as the other day and we really fought hard at the start today to give our opponents some penalties,” he added.
After just two days, it’s already tight at the top with six sailors within a win of each other at the halfway stage of the double round robin stage. Garetta is one of four sailors alongside Ian Williams, Peter Wickwire and Chris Poole with four wins and he claimed the scalp of 2025 Congressional Cup winner Monnin in his final race of the day.
“Eric is always strong in these boats and these conditions,” added Garetta. “We started well, won the start and he picked up a penalty. He got back in front but we made a good choice of the downwind gate and managed to pass him again...
