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Editorial

Insight and comment on the latest happenings in the world of sailboat racing.

SailGP and the Need for Speed

SailGP and the Need for Speed

Yacht Racing Life guest contributor Digby Fox examines the significance of SailGP's recent record-setting top speeds and speaks to Russell Coutts and outright sailing world speed record-holder Paul Larsen – creator and pilot of Vestas SpeedRocket 2 – for insight.

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A sailing Paradox: Racing Fast, Cruising Easy

A sailing Paradox: Racing Fast, Cruising Easy

When Paul Flynn decided to return to sailing after a decades-long absence, he didn’t follow the expected route. Instead, he bought Paradox – a 63-foot carbon fibre trimaran with offshore racing pedigree and the sort of speed potential that turns heads on any racecourse.

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Supercharging the America's Cup

Supercharging the America's Cup

The new AC38 Protocol promises to end the America’s Cup’s boom-and-bust cycles, and ushers in a more dynamic, inclusive, and commercially viable future for sailing’s most prestigious prize. Here's why I think the future is bright...

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Dalton and Ainslie speak on new Protocol for AC38

Dalton and Ainslie speak on new Protocol for AC38

Following on from today’s announcement of a new agreed Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton and Athena Racing CEO Ben Ainslie faced questions from the international media about the new deal. Here are the highlights of what they had to say…

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AC38 back on track after Defender and COR ink bold new Protocol

AC38 back on track after Defender and COR ink bold new Protocol

The Protocol for AC38 has been signed, introducing a new partnership model, budget caps, fleet racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, no new AC75s for existing teams, five-person crews including a mandated female sailor, battery power, the return of the Youth and Women's ACs, and no non-compete clause.

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Editor's Notebook

Editor's Notebook

Peter Lester 1954 – 2025 | Are there signs of détente in the long-running America’s Cup dispute? | Spectacle and drama in Kiel at the start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

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Northern raiders...

Northern raiders...

A couple of weeks ago, three middle-aged sailors – two Brits and an Aussie – got together in London with a couple of bottles of champagne to celebrate a remarkable episode in the sport that happened 26 years ago on Sydney Harbour – writes Ed Gorman.

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Admiral's Cup: Old heads and new tricks

Admiral's Cup: Old heads and new tricks

The Admiral’s Cup returns with inshore and offshore challenges testing veterans and newcomers alike. After three races, Monaco and Hong Kong lead the standings, with New Zealand and Italy close behind. Crews are relishing the mix of conditions and some classic Solent complexity.

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Adrian Stead on taking on the Admiral's Cup for New Zealand

Adrian Stead on taking on the Admiral's Cup for New Zealand

The Admiral’s Cup returns after 22 years, and Adrian Stead is back – this time racing for New Zealand. With a top-tier crew and two proven boats, I quizzed Stead for some insights on the challenge ahead – from inshore finesse to offshore endurance in one of sailing’s toughest tests.

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