It was the penultimate event in the 2025 SailGP season and there is simply no question that this year has been the most competitive so far. Those that had been to the Spain GP before knew that Cadiz could throw up anything to deliver one of the trickiest race courses on the circuit. And when you see teams that have dominated the racing for years come last, you can be sure that this isn't simply a dose of hype. Cadiz was tough for everyone and delivered the best penultimate event in the history of SailGP by demonstrating; a) how fiercely competitive all the teams are, b)how any one of them can win a race and c) setting up a big show down for Abu Dhabi where no one has a guaranteed place in the final.....yet. Plus, we include a healthy dose of Docktalk in this episode and find out about: Zhik's innovative new wetsuits Nautix slippery coatings The new Balance Cats from South Africa Reckmann's special relationship with Nautor Swan

On the face of it Paul Meilhat's Biotherm had pretty much won the Ocean Race Europe ahead of the final leg from Italy to Montenegro.Their command of the race over the previous four legs had been dominant, but, on paper it was still their to lose. So, while they might have had a 12 point lead, over second placed Paprec Arkea there were still 16 points on the table thanks to leg 5, the scoring gate points and the final coastal race that counted for as many as the final offshore leg. It was clear just from the route that the final offshore leg was also a very twisty, tricky tactical leg that had potholes and speed bumps all over it. And that is just how it played out. Leg 5 was the most stressful of the lot and a leg that also delivered some of the biggest surprises. This made leg 5 and the coastal races fitting curtain callers to an amazing six week event that had delivered way more than anyone had expected. Here's how it panned out.

AC38 Event Director talks to Matt Sheahan about this ambitious project that seeks to bring spectators back in touch with the boats, the teams and their bases.

The next America's Cup cycle is already under way. With the AC38 match due to take place in 2027, teams are expecting to be in their bases in Naples from April 2026 and the first Preliminary event is due a few months later in June 2026. So, what will the venue look like and how are things progressing? PlanetSail takes a look and speaks to 38th America's Cup Event Director Leslie Ryan about what we can expect.

The Swiss lake played up to its reputation with light and fluky winds, but with just three events to go in the 2025 season and the points at the top of the leaderboard super close, Geneva mattered. And this made it a tense, stressful event.

It might have been painfully light weather, but with just three remaining gigs left on the 2025 SailGP tour and with the tight battle for points at the top of the table, Geneva mattered. In fact, you could argue that with such stiff competition in a season that has been a needle match from the start, like it or not, Geneva would be crucial for those at the top. But, with a forecast for wind speeds that would barely snuff a candle, planning for success was going to be a very big ask. Instead, Geneva had stress written all over it.

Two broken boats, a relentless schedule and concerns around key elements of the fleet of F50s, once again SailGP had it's back against the wall. This time it was the build up to the event in St Tropez that was causing the stress and pressure. And then the weather threw a few curved balls into the mix. Whether you were on the shore on or a boat, the French SailGP was a nail biting affair and yet it was also a regatta that ended up being far more 'normal' than any of the others this season! Plus, SailGP continues to draw the attention of F1 drivers, here's what one made of it after a full on experience along with our full report on the Mistral mayhem in St Tropez.

When you consider that the 38th America's Cup kicks off in around 18 months time, it's been very quiet on the Cup front. At least that what it feels like on the outside. Sure, we've seen the Protocol for AC38 and the Italians have been out for a spin, but that's it, there's been little else going on. But behind the scenes teams have been working on one of the biggest shake ups the Cup has seen and it's not going to be universally popular. In fact, it looks like it's already upset some of those who were up for having a crack at the Auld Mug. Matt Sheahan considers what's been going on behind closed doors and away from the spotlights and microphones. Plus, in Docktalk we take a look at engineering experts Cariboni and a new exploration yacht from Pure Yachts. DOCKTALK 07:38 Cariboni 08:46 Pure Yachts Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

While an IMOCA is a highly complex machine, the fundamental rules that govern their design are straightforward. A key focus within the rule is on limiting the power that can be generated through the sail plan by putting limits on stability. Offshore project manager and sailor Marcus Hutchinson explains.

In our feature on The Ocean Race Europe Leg 3-4 we asked why Paul Meilhat's Biotherm has been so difficult to beat in this complex, multi-stage marathon. Offshore expert and project manager Marcus Hutchinson gave us an insight into the ingredients that have made this boat and its team so dominant in this race. But there was plenty more in our conversation that touched on several key topics around this fascinating class from how these boats can be configured for different roles through to what the teams are getting out of racing their machines around Europe that never made it into the feature. So here it is. It was an enlightening chat and if you’d like to know more about this and a number of other topics here’s a fuller version of my one-to-one with Marcus Hutchinson.

As the Ocean Race Europe fleet fought its way through the Mediterranean with yet more nip and tuck racing along rocky coastlines, through narrow passages as teams struggled to match the weather forecasts with what they were getting, they did so in a wind range of 0 to 65 knots! The idea that the Med stages of the race would be easy compared to the trans-ocean legs that we are more used to seeing the IMOCA fleet compete on is a nonsense. This race is not only demonstrating how tactically challenging racing around Europe is, but how close it is being played out. The scoreboard may suggest that Paul Mailhat’s Biotherm has had it all their own way, but the reality is it has been anything but. So, in this episode we take a look at how, why and what......Why Biotherm has been so fast, why anyone would want to do a race that is costing around €200,000 to take part in and how Legs 3 & 4 played out. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Setting the scene 00:52 Why is Biotherm so quick? 04:20 Why do the Ocean Race Europe? 05:00 Boris Herrmann 07:06 Yoann Richomme 07:35 Sam Goodchild 08:50 Will Harris 09:19 Scott Shawyer 10:05 Leg 3 Review 11:37 Amaala takes a battering in 65 knots 13:02 Leg 3 Closing stages 14:50 leg 4 Review Produced in association with Yanmar in a new series that takes a look at the IMOCA scene Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

“At one point we were at 30knot average…just incredible” - Paul Meilhat - Biotherm “I don’t think we could do better than that..we are in our place” - Franck Cammas - Holcim PRB There were no shortage of big statements from exhausted offshore rock stars at the finish of Leg 2 of the Ocean Race Europe. This might have not been a lap of the planet for these highly accomplished sailors and their crews, but there was no doubt that as the longest leg so far it was also the most complex and, as it turned out, the most stressful too. From straight line blasts to full on park-ups, the leader board took several major shuffles and ensured that few of the crews got much sleep at all during the 1,400 mile leg. What was in plentiful supply was some fantastic footage sent back from the boats that took us onboard and to the heart of the action in this complex two stage leg. Once they were off from the dock in Portsmouth we headed to the finish in Cartagena, Spain to see the teams in and find out at first hand how the leg had been. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro 00:52 Matt Sheahan sets the scene in Cartagena 03:23 Leg 2- Stage 1 07:46 The Ushant park-up 10:23 Speed test to Porto 12:59 The Matosinhos fly-by 16:03 A tricky finish 18:28 Protest outcome Produced in association with Yanmar in a new series that takes a look at the IMOCA scene Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Practice day at the German sail GP in Sassnitz was chilling to watch. Seeing the catastrophic failure aboard the Brazilian boat as the port hull appeared to fold up under the boat as the forward cross beam failed brought back memories of San Francisco in 2013 and that’s not something we ever want to see again Miraculously everyone on the boat was safe. A few seconds before at the same bear away the French had suffered a major failure as their starboard rudder ripped off the stern flying high into the air. Then on the first day of racing a frightening collision that could have turned out far worse, thankfully it didn't. While there was some great racing over the weekend in Sassnitz, the crash tally had hit three major incidents in just two days. We take a look at what happens and hear from the crews as to their thoughts on a weekend that has sparked concern.

It was an explosive start for the Ocean Race Europe into a tactically complex and demanding first leg from Kiel to Portsmouth. Within two minutes two boats were heading back to base with serious damage while the rest of the fleet had their pedal to the metal as they made a headlong charge for the first scoring gate just a few miles into the race. This is an event that has been specifically designed to put the pressure on from the start and then keep it there, so getting a nose ahead was crucial in gaining the upper hand in the first stage of this six leg, 4,500mile race around Europe. Matt Sheahan reports from the start in Kiel where he talks to some of the key players about why a fully crewed multi leg race around Europe, (rather than the world), is considered to be tough by the teams. As the boats left the Baltic he then headed to the Portsmouth finish to provide a report on the opening leg. CHAPTERS & LINKS 00:00 Intro titles 00:52: Setting the scene 02:26 Why is it so hard? 04:44 Who are the teams? 10:03 Leg 1 Report 23:20 A Race to the start Produced in association with Yanmar in a new series that takes a look at the IMOCA scene Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

The 38th America's Cup is back under way as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Royal Yacht Squadron in the UK sign the AC38 protocol for the next event. But this is more than just an agreement on how the next America's Cup would be played. This is a template for the future in which the competition for the oldest international sporting trophy will have something it has never had in over 170 years...certainty. At least that's how the British and Kiwi camps were billing it leading Sir Ben Ainslie to describe it as 'seismic' for the Cup. Matt Sheahan looks into what has been agreed, what's in store for AC38 and why this agreement is considered to be so important.

The expectations were for a fast and full on start for the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe where seven fully crewed IMOCA teams would head out on the 4,500 mile race around Europe. But no one was expecting the explosive and destructive start to this race within the opening minutes. Thankfully no one was hurt, but in 6 week sprint around Europe where the longest stopovers are just 3 days, this is an intense race with little or no room for breakdowns.

Compared to the previous Rolex Fastnet Race the weather was benign but the racing was no less intense, some would argue more so. And when crews crossed the finish in Cherbourg it was clear how demanding this race had been. From those looking to take line honours, to those with an eye on the silverware through to those who were simply realising an ambition, everyone in the record breaking fleet had a reason to compete in the world's largest offshore race that was celebrating its 100th year. In addition, the return of the Admiral's Cup piled on the pressure for those who were looking to win the ornate golden trophy. There was plenty to report on as Matt Sheahan reveals in his report on how the Rolex Fastnet and the Admiral's Cup were won.

The Rolex Fastnet Race kicked off with a record number of entries as the world's biggest offshore race celebrated it's 100th anniversary. Whichever way you looked at it, this year was a very special o

After a 22 year absence the Admiral's Cup is back as Cowes played host to the return of the self proclaimed World Cup of offshore sailing. Starting with the offshore Channel Race and running into three days of inshore races in the Solent, the return of this famous team event was a huge success before it's even been won. Matt Sheahan reports from Cowes at the heart of the event where he watched the racing blow by blow and talked to some of the big players. The Rolex Fastnet Race is the final race in the series and counts for triple points, so when it comes to sealing the deal on the Admiral's Cup, this is the big one. But that doesn't mean that teams didn't throw everything at the races beforehand. Matt reports on what it took to for the top teams to get a crack at the most famous offshore team trophy in the world.

This season, your turn your back for a minute and another event has set up shop in the Solent. Except this time it was the biggest circus of all that was rolling into town as SailGP arrived in Portsmouth. The excitement and tension were palpable. From the pressure of public expectation on Sir Ben Ainslie's home team Emirates Great Britain, through to the huge pressure on the organisers to deliver a breathtaking event in the face of the kind of volatile and uncertain weather forecast that frequently defines the British summer, the Emirates Sail Grand Prix had plenty riding on it. And, as 20,000 spectators arrived over the weekend the pressure only went one way. Matt Sheahan was there and reports on a spectacular event, as well as sitting down with SailGP founder and CEO Russell Coutts who set out a bold new technical future for SailGP. Chapters & Links 00:00 Intro 1:00 Setting the scene 02:39 Talking to Dylan Fletcher 04:46 French dismasting - Quentin Delapierre explains 06:01 Race Reports 1,2,3,4 08:23 Russell Coutts on technical developments 16:40 Day 2 Race Reports 5, 6, 7 19:14 Final 20:32 Interviews - Burling, Fletcher, Mills Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan