Carbon or Steel?
by Mark Jardine
Moth Foil Evolution with Alex Adams Foils have been shrinking for years as sailors continually try to reduce drag and increase speeds, but designers were reaching the limit of what they could do with carbon, so the latest foils have turned to steel for some parts.
Posted on 7 Sep Unboxing the Bieker Moth with Kyle Stoneham
by Mark Jardine
A look 'below decks' at the hidden control systems on Kyle's International Moth Why are all the ropes hidden on all the latest International Moths? It's all about aerodynamic efficiency as the boats get faster and faster. As we find out with Kyle, there are also some very clever systems under the carbon covers.
Posted on 6 Sep The Age of Steel in the Land of Rock
by Mark Jardine
The International Moth class is never standing still This week the Moths have gathered in Torquay at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the UK Championship, and the discussion is all about steel.
Posted on 3 Sep From vision to reality
by Mark Jardine
The XR 41's journey from sketch to World Champion In 2023 I took part in my first X-Yachts Gold Cup at Aarhus in Denmark. It was a glorious event, balancing fun and competition perfectly, and was a weekend where new friendships were formed with sailors who I continue to chat with regularly.
Posted on 2 Sep Championship winning at 9 years old!
by Mark Jardine
Benjamin Pascoe completes a remarkable 2000 Nationals at Hayling Island The 2000 class have just had a superb National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club. 59 boats competed in the ten race series with fresh winds and big waves on the opening day, followed by three days of lighter and shift north easterlies.
Posted on 28 Aug Why we need VMG and VMC
by Mark Jardine
On The Ocean Race Europe Tracker The Ocean Race Europe Tracker has just had an update thanks to PredictWind, and now looks at routing for the boats, but it doesn't yet have VMG or VMC.
Posted on 27 Aug Blurring the line between sport and entertainment
by Mark Jardine
It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to crashes Crashes gain clicks. It's a simple reality that the voyeur in all of us is drawn to situations where things have gone spectacularly wrong.
Posted on 18 Aug Double Trouble during Sassnitz SailGP Practice
by Mark Jardine
Brazil hull collapses and French rudder flies off There was drama in Sassnitz during SailGP practice racing as firstly the French SailGP Team's starboard rudder broke off during a windward mark bear away, and then on the same leg Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team nose dived, with the main crossbeam collapsing.
Posted on 15 Aug Kiel Canal to get to Portsmouth?
by Mark Jardine
Is this Holcim PRB & Allagrande Mapei answer to make The Ocean Race Europe Leg 2 start? While the five IMOCA yachts still racing in Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe are closing in on Portsmouth, the race is on for Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei to do their repairs after their crash at the start.
Posted on 12 Aug A Day at the Keyhaven Regatta!
by Mark Jardine
A montage of the sailing and surroundings which I hope you enjoy Sunday saw the first races of the 2025 Keyhaven Regatta at Keyhaven Yacht Club, a small club at the western end of the Solent in the UK. It also happens to be where I do my sailing from!
Posted on 10 Aug Just another event?
by Mark Jardine
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug Rolex Fastnet Race Start - view from Hurst Castle
by Mark Jardine
A video montage as the fleet went out of the Solent I went out to Hurst Castle with my camera and drone to capture the action as the boats, ranging from the mighty Ultim trimarans, through to the IMOCAs and grand prix yachts competing in the 2025 Admiral's Cup went through the narrrows out of the Solent.
Posted on 26 Jul (More than) A Day at the Races
by Mark Jardine
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently.
Posted on 22 Jul Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
by Mark Jardine
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong.
Posted on 22 Jul SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
by Mark Jardine
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted on 18 Jul Jazz Turner Video Interview
by Mark Jardine
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul Understanding sMRT Alert with Jack Sharland
by Mark Jardine
Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years with more features packed into smaller devices, but with all these features it can sometimes be difficult to understand what they all do.
Posted on 9 Jul The Ocean Race Europe Video Preview
by Mark Jardine
We speak to Phil Lawrence, Peter Rusch & Pip Hare to find out more The Ocean Race Europe will take place between 10 August & 21 September, following a debut event in the summer of 2021. The racing is in IMOCA yachts, the same as the Vendée Globe, but this time with 4 crew and an OBR who will document the action on board.
Posted on 8 Jul Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
by Mark Jardine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul An evening with the Scaramouche Sailing Trust
by Mark Jardine
Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy (GCA). But they've shown it can be accessible to everyone, with amazing results.
Posted on 2 Jul Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
by Mark Jardine
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina.
Posted on 1 Jul Funding for clubs transforms sailing opportunities
by Mark Jardine
During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from UK clubs about their experiences During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from a range of UK clubs, walking through their case studies, and then heard from experts in finance who talked us through the opportunities and pitfalls of acquiring funds.
Posted on 26 Jun A brief history of marine instrument networks
by Mark Jardine
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more...
Posted on 25 Jun Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
by Mark Jardine
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality.
Posted on 17 Jun Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
by Mark Jardine
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Posted on 17 Jun The X-Yachts Gold Cup Experience
by Mark Jardine
A celebration of sailing, of X-Yachts and, most importantly of all, people Having just returned from Haderslev, Denmark - which is the home of X-Yachts and played host to the X-Yachts Gold Cup 2025 - I was left wondering if this was a racing event, a rally or a social celebration amongst close friends.
Posted on 10 Jun The evolving world of sailing fabrics
by Mark Jardine
The sport of sailing is evolving, and the clothing we wear is changing with it The sport of sailing is evolving, and the clothing we wear is changing with it. We see features such as impact protection becoming more commonplace, but there is a more subtle change happening with the fabric of the garments themselves.
Posted on 4 Jun Video Interview: Onboard the Excess 14
by Mark Jardine
At the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2025 Excess have moved forward their designs with the Excess 13 and 14 cruising catamarans, so seeing the Excess 14 was high on the priority list, as well as talking to some exceptional high performance sailors on board to learn their thoughts.
Posted on 3 Jun America's Cup Power Plays
by Mark Jardine
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender.
Posted on 28 May Hyde Sails Flying Fifteen Video Tuning Guide
by Mark Jardine & Ben McGrane
Ben McGrane explains how to get the most out of your B1 mainsail with B1 or 2H jibs Hyde Sails release new detailed video guide for tuning the Flying 15 for use with the B1 mainsail with B1 or 2H jibs.
Posted on 22 May X 195 'Turtle' Launch
by Mark Jardine
The first new X One Design in 18 years! I attended a rare event in the X One Design class: the launch of a new boat. It has been 18 years since the last new X was launched, and X195 has been a project that long in the making.
Posted on 17 May Banger Racing, Back Racing and No Racing
by Mark Jardine
Racing on the cheap, a return to racing for young Aussies, and ILCA struggles We start with racing on the cheap at the Colander Cup, then focus on a return to racing for the Aussies at the Youth Worlds, moving on to a complete lack of racing at the ILCA Worlds, and then looking at how SailGP should be back out on the water.
Posted on 14 May Exposure Marine Fastnet Race Kit Video Review
by Mark Jardine
A set of 3 torches specifically designed for offshore racing crews It's a huge year for offshore sailing, and arguably the biggest event of the summer is the Rolex Fastnet Race. Within an hour of entries opening the Royal Ocean Racing Club had received a record 435 yacht registrations.
Posted on 14 May How Seldén Carbon Masts are made
by Mark Jardine
I took a look around the Seldén Mast factory with Richard Thoroughgood to find out more I took a look around the Seldén Mast factory with Richard Thoroughgood from Seldén to find out a bit more about how the carbon tow reels become the masts that we use when out sailing.
Posted on 12 May The Allure of Timber
by Mark Jardine
The longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood In these days of exotic materials, high modulus carbon and ultra lightweight construction, it's possible to overlook the longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood.
Posted on 29 Apr A look inside the Spirit Yachts yard
by Mark Jardine
A close look at what makes their yachts unique Traditional skills in boatbuilding could be regarded as a lost art from a bygone era. In the world of fibreglass and carbon, the joinery and laminating techniques of wood ribs and cedar strips are a thing of the past.
Posted on 28 Apr Why Gianneschi pumps are the best in the business
by Mark Jardine
Family-owned for 50 years with parts and technical support is available in Australia through Gineico Gianneschi has been family-owned for 50 years, and has concentrated solely on marine pumps, not touching the domestic market, since the outset.
Posted on 24 Apr The holistic approach of Ancasta Yacht Services
by Mark Jardine
Helping owners protect their investment and keep their boat in top condition Take a look behind the wood, gelcoat and trim panels on any modern yacht or powerboat, and you'll see that they are complex things. An array of cables, hoses & pipes interconnects electronic devices and amenities which make life on board more comfortable.
Posted on 17 Apr Pro Sailing Drama and Intrigue
by Mark Jardine
SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news What a couple of weeks it has been in the world of professional sailing: SailGP, the America's Cup, and the sailors themselves have all been in the mainstream news for one reason or another.
Posted on 15 Apr The Proving Ground
by Mark Jardine
Why the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS is such an important regatta The end of an Olympic quadrennial cycle often brings sailing campaigns to an end. Some partnerships in doublehanded classes split, with helm and crew going their separate ways, while others use the time to reflect on their future.
Posted on 1 Apr The most important job in sailing
by Mark Jardine
How Nick Scott is delivering radical change to competitive sailing pathways in the UK I am putting forward that falls to Nick Scott and his team. Namely to secure its competitive future by addressing challenges and delivering radical change while bringing people on that journey with him.
Posted on 31 Mar Revealing the Secrets of the 'Impossible' XR 41
by Mark Jardine
An out and out race yacht, but also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior The XR 41 from X-Yachts was quite a departure from what they'd been doing for the last 15 years: concentrating on high-end Performance Racing Cruisers. This is an out and out race yacht, but it's also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior.
Posted on 27 Mar No more excuses
by Mark Jardine
2025 is all about the club sailors, the weekend warriors, the open meeting stalwarts I was wondering if things were going to slow down in sailing after the huge events of 2024, namely the Olympics, America's Cup and Vendée Globe but, if anything, they've speeded up.
Posted on 17 Mar The 600 Sweet Spot
by Mark Jardine
The world of offshore racing is booming around the world The world of offshore racing is booming around the world. Record entries, some of the world's fastest yachts and highest profile campaigns, and a plethora of Corinthian teams have the 'classics' on their bucket list.
Posted on 4 Mar Inaugural Fast Women's Switch Training Camp
by Mark Jardine
Some of the best sailors in the world gathered in Thailand The first ever Fast Women's Switch Training Camp took place at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand, attracting some of the best sailors in the world, fresh from competing in the Australia Sail Grand Prix.
Posted on 4 Mar Tongue Twister Triumphs
by Mark Jardine
Albacore wins Concours d'Elegance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show The Concours d'Elegance for the boat of the show has been won by Matt Thompson's Albacore 'Uffa Fox Sake' after judges Mark Jardine, joined this year by the voice of SailGP, Stevie Morrison, spent an enjoyable morning perusing every boat on display.
Posted on 23 Feb SailGP: Controversial Call? Late Umpire Decision?
by Mark Jardine
Arguably the most contentious moment of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix provided us with thrilling racing, but arguably the most contentious moment was when the Australian SailGP Team were awarded a penalty in the pre-start when they were luffed by the Canadian NorthStar SailGP Team.
Posted on 9 Feb Slingsby's SailGP Starting Masterclass
by Mark Jardine
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Analysis Day 1 Video Analysis The reaching starts in SailGP make for entertaining viewing and, with just 400 metres until the first mark bear away, they are often critical to a race result.
Posted on 8 Feb J/40 Boat Tour at boot Düsseldorf
by Mark Jardine
Mark Jardine looks at the yacht with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com took a tour around the J/40 during boot Düsseldorf 2025 with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites.
Posted on 7 Feb The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
by Mark Jardine
If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight provided it If ever I needed a reminder of how varied the sport of sailing is, the past fortnight has provided it. We've seen the whole spectrum of goings on, from the superb in the Vendée Globe, to the baffling with the British America's Cup team.
Posted on 4 Feb