Australian Sailing, Sport and Lifestyle News | Sails Magazine

Presenting a world of sailing sport and lifestyle news

Welcome

Whether you sail a sabot or a superyacht, Sails has them covered.

Racing

All the racing and regatta news, results and reports from across the sailing spectrum.

Regattas06 Jan, 2025
Day 1 review
Positive signs for Imagine crew at skiff nationals.
Regattas06 Jan, 2025
Another Magpie win
Magpie sails through to take Etchells Pre-World Championship 2025.
Offshore01 Jan, 2025
Prize presentation
The official prizegiving for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race offered a poignant conclusion...
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Offshore30 Dec, 2024
Win for Commodore
Sam Haynes aboard Willow, the Volvo Open 70 renamed Celestial V70, has been declared the provisional...
Offshore30 Dec, 2024
Mistral first double
Rupert Henry and his French co-skipper, Corentin Douguet, sailed Henry’s Lombard 34, Mistral...
Offshore30 Dec, 2024
Westcoaster results
Scarlet Runner and Rushour dominate 52nd Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race.
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Skippers30 Dec, 2024
Pip Hare dismasting
British sailor in the Vendée Globe, Pip Hare makes landfall after dismasting in the Southern Ocean.
Offshore28 Dec, 2024
LawConnect victorious
Christian Beck has defied the pundits, his 100 footer, LawConnect, pulling off Line Honours in the...
Offshore27 Dec, 2024
Rolex in the RSHYR
A resplendent and animated Sydney Harbour, sunshine, blue skies and building 18-24 knot...
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Yachts

Reviews of the latest models, cruising designs, trends and concepts.

New Builds24 Dec, 2024
Groundbreaking gunboat
The Gunboat 68 Voyager, a ground-breaking yacht that combines 25 years of expertise with...
New Builds18 Dec, 2024
Blue debut
Grand Soleil Blue will make its debut at Boot Düsseldorf 2025, setting a new standard for...
Rebuild18 Dec, 2024
Mermaid tale
The next Derwent Class (D-Class) yacht to join the fleet is undergoing a meticulous rebuild in the...
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New Builds11 Dec, 2024
Elevated sailing
Saffier will host the global debut of the Saffier SL 46 MED at Boot Düsseldorf, 18 to 26 January...
New Builds26 Nov, 2024
Saffier at SCIBS
Carbon Yachts will host the APAC premiere of the Saffier SE 24 Lite at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove...
New Builds20 Nov, 2024
Sailing joy
The Hallberg-Rassy 370 is an all-new design with innovative features and a range of firsts.
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Design01 Nov, 2024
Mishi in Monaco
Mishi 102 project unveiled as a new generation of family sailing superyacht at the Monaco Yacht Show...
New Builds23 Oct, 2024
Swan takes shape
The Swan 128, the largest in Nautor Swan’s Maxi range, has officially entered the paint booth as...
New Builds17 Oct, 2024
Raising the bar
Dufour Yachts has added a spectacular new model to its fleet, the Dufour 48.
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Gear

Browse the sailing kit and technology essential not only to performance but also to safety.

Technology17 Oct, 2024
Driving force
The marine systems expertise of VETUS is the driving force behind an ingenious seaworthy car which...
Products25 Sep, 2024
Saint-Tropez tome
Laurence Benaïm and Didier Ravon have captured the allure and prestige of Les Voiles de...
Products26 Jul, 2024
Champion gear
Zhik is the official supplier for Australian Olympic Team sailors at the Paris Olympics.
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Technology19 Mar, 2024
Hidden hydro
There are many hidden parts to an America’s Cup campaign where innovation, performance and talent...
Technology13 Feb, 2024
Smarter sailing
Smart Wind offers professional-level wind transducers for leisure sailors.
Products30 Jan, 2024
Sustainable sailcloth
At boot Düsseldorf, North Sails launched RENEW, a sailcloth constructed from more than 90 percent...
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Hardware24 Dec, 2023
Composite collab
It’s a long way from Townsville to Paris, and Australian Olympic kite-foiler, Breiana Whitehead...
Products20 Nov, 2023
Zhik toasts Kirsten
The Zhik team are sending huge congratulations to Kirsten Neuschäufer who has been voted female...
Products17 Nov, 2023
Inflatable innovation
The new Nimbus collection brings COAST quality to inflatables.
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Industry

Stay up-to-date with the issues affecting the yachting world, and the people who shape races, regattas, sponsorships and events.

Regional13 Dec, 2024
RIB support
Highfield Boats Australia has partnered with Australian Sailing in a sponsorship deal that extends...
Regional13 Nov, 2024
President elected
Shevaun Bruland was elected as President of Australian Sailing – the first woman to hold the...
Environmental01 Nov, 2024
SYC and SeaKeepers
Southport Yacht Club enters into partnership with The International SeaKeepers Society to promote...
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Regional03 Oct, 2024
Adventure blueprints
CYCA seeks Expressions of Interest for CYCA Offshore Academy Yachts.
International18 Sep, 2024
Swan new era
Nautor Swan is entering a new chapter in its story, with new models and a vision for the future...
International09 Aug, 2024
Sail takeover
NTG adds Doyle Sails and Quantum Sails to its roster of best-in-class brands.
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Regional30 Jul, 2024
Sustainability partners
BIA has appointed Lisa Blair as Sustainability Ambassador.
Profile04 Jul, 2024
Vale Bob Ross
Bob Ross, the renowned sailing photojournalist, newspaper writer, magazine founder, editor, book...
Regional12 Jun, 2024
Tribute to Tasmania
Tasmania is the epicentre of Australian wooden boat building. As the home of what is considered the...
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Cruising

An inspiring guide to throwing off the bowlines and catching the trade winds in your sails, along with destinations to entice.

Charter17 Jul, 2024
Mariner adventures
Embark on your ultimate sailing adventure with Mariner Boating: A testimonial.
Rallies26 Mar, 2024
Oysters cross Canal
Oyster World Rally fleet transits the Panama Canal and gets ready for Galapagos.
Destinations06 Feb, 2024
Sailing paradise
The Maldives and Seychelles named ‘Top Yachting Destinations’.
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Rallies01 Aug, 2023
Clipper adds port
Clipper Race confirms Puerto Sherry as a stopover on its global route – its first ever visit to...
Destinations31 Jul, 2023
Highfield adventurers
Jessie Cripps and Michael Takach, vloggers and explorers aboard the 2006 37-foot (11.3m) Easy...
Destinations25 Jun, 2023
Share the dream
You can own a one-half share of a brand new Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42 Catamaran.
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Rallies15 May, 2023
Go East Rally begins
The Boat Works is proud to again welcome the cruising community involved in the 2023 Down Under...
Charter05 Dec, 2022
A lifetime of sailing holidays
Enter to win a lifetime of sailing holidays with GlobeSailor! A free yacht charter, every year, for...
Rallies14 May, 2021
Land Down Under
Oyster Yacht’s next World Rally live webinar sets sail for the East Coast of Australia.
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Events

A front row seat to all the best regattas, boat shows, product launches and networking occasions, in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

Boat shows14 Jan, 2025
Sail into boot 2025
The summit meeting for sailing yachts at boot Düsseldorf 2025.
Awards11 Dec, 2024
E-Saildrive awards
Yanmar Marine International awarded two Dame Design Awards for its E-Saildrive Series, setting a new...
Regattas04 Dec, 2024
SailGP signs Rolex
SailGP and Rolex announce Title Partnership, marking a new era for the global racing championship.
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Boat shows04 Dec, 2024
Swan into boot 2025
Nautor Swan will exhibit at boot Düsseldorf 2025, showing a range of new sailing yachts and motor...
20 Nov, 2024
Festival countdown
The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) presents "The Pacific" as its central theme in 2025.
Social20 Nov, 2024
Superyacht seats
Spectacular viewing experience for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
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Awards20 Nov, 2024
Top honours
The 2024 World Sailing Awards were held 5 November 2024 at Singapore’s historic CHIJMES Hall as...
Awards03 Nov, 2024
Honours awarded
Paris Olympians and grassroots sailing community celebrated at 2024 Australian Sailing Awards.
Regattas01 Nov, 2024
Race partnership
Fashion House, CHANEL and The Boat Race have formed a long-term partnership.
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WE ARE SOCIAL

At boot Düsseldorf 2025, the world’s biggest ya

At boot Düsseldorf 2025, the world’s biggest yachting and water sports trade fair, the sailing yacht segment is preparing to host to various global and national launches in exhibition halls 15 and 16.
There will be over 86 international exhibitors, showcasing models reflecting the full diversity of interests and ambitions, as well as many opportunities to get hands-on with sailing craft of all sizes, plus diving, surfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing.
A rundown of the highlights and premieres via link in our bio.⚓️@bootduesseldorf
@hillarybuckman#boot2025
#boot2025düsseldorf
#sailing
#boatshow

Reigning Etchells World Champions, Graeme “GT”

Reigning Etchells World Champions, Graeme “GT” Taylor and James Mayo, with the return of former crew Ben Lamb on Magpie AUS1486 sailed an incredibly consistent final day in variable conditions to take the pre-Worlds regatta win in tricky Melbourne conditions.
All the action and results via link in our bio.⚓️@etchellsaus
@hillarybuckman📸 @sailorgirlhq#etchells
#etchellsregatta
#etchellssailing

Queensland’s Hervey Bay has welcomed the Skiffs

Queensland’s Hervey Bay has welcomed the Skiffs national fleet as racing commences today in The Boat Club Australian 13ft & 16ft Skiff national titles.
Entries for the 13ft skiff division stand at 21, while 54 16-Footers will hit the start line around 3.30pm for Race 1.
The opening salvo will see past winners Bosker Build (Sarah Lee), Imagine Signage (Nathan Wilmot) and Moonen Yachts (Daniel Turner) striving for early ascendancy, with IMEI (Joel Beashel) posing a significant threat.Updates this afternoon after Day 1 is complete.@frasercoastregionalcouncil
@herveybayboatclub#skiffchampionships
#2025skiffchamps
#herveybayboatclub

The official prizegiving for the 2024 Rolex Sydney

The official prizegiving for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race offered a poignant conclusion to an edition marked by tragedy and defined by resilience.
Following a memorial service for the two crew members who died during the event, the race’s two main prizes were awarded to Celestial V70 as the overall race winner and to LawConnect for line honours.
All the details via link in our bio.⚓️@officialrolexsydneyhobart
@cruising_yacht_club_australia
@rolex
@hillarybuckman📸 @carlo.borlenghi#rshyr2024
#rolexsydneyhobart
#celestialv70
#lawconnect

Rupert Henry and his French co-skipper, Corentin D

Rupert Henry and his French co-skipper, Corentin Douguet sailing double-handed aboard Mistral were 18th over the line and the first double-handed crew.
The pair looked in remarkably good shape after sailing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 628 nautical mile race and were in good spirits.
They are currently sitting in ninth place overall and are leading Division 4 and the Double Handed division.Follow the link in our bio for the latest. ⚓️📸 @saltydingomedia@cruising_yacht_club_australia
@officialrolexsydneyhobart
@hillarybuckman#mistralyacht
#cyca
#rshyr2024
#twohandedsailing
#sydneyhobart

Sam Haynes aboard Willow, the Volvo Open 70 rename

Sam Haynes aboard Willow, the Volvo Open 70 renamed Celestial V70, has been declared the provisional Overall winner of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
“It was the perfect weather for this boat,” he said of the design that was built for the then named Volvo Ocean Race, a race that features significant downwind and reaching conditions.
Haynes, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said winning in 2022 had been a life changing moment. “So, to be able to back it up (in 2024) and to have the wonderful achievement of sailing with my crew, it is an achievement!”
Congratulations to Commodore Sam Haynes and his crew. All the details via link in our bio.⚓️@officialrolexsydneyhobart
@cruising_yacht_club_australia
@hillarybuckman📸 @carlo.borlenghi#rolexsydneyhobart
#rshyr2024
#cyca
#celestialv70

Christian Beck has defied the pundits, his 100 foo

Christian Beck has defied the pundits, his 100 footer, LawConnect, pulling off Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race for a second year running.
According to Kiwi sailing master Tony Mutter, a strong team performance by the crew was the foundation for LawConnect’s Line Honours – executing manoeuvres in synch in challenging 35 to 40 knot winds.
Read all the latest, including second and third arrivals and who’s leading Overall via link in our bio.⚓️@lawconnectau
@cruising_yacht_club_australia
@officialrolexsydneyhobart
@hillarybuckman
@willowsailing
@wildthingaus100📸 @saltydingomedia#rshyr2024
#rolexsydneyhobart
#lawconnect
#sydneyhobartyachtrace

Early this morning, Master Lock Comanche (NSW) ret

Early this morning, Master Lock Comanche (NSW) retired from the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, reporting mainsail damage.
Master Lock Comanche is the race record holder and was leading the race, approximately 63 nautical miles of Green Cape when she retired.
So far, conditions have claimed seven yachts from the initial fleet of 104.
More via link in our bio.⚓️@officialrolexsydneyhobart
@cruising_yacht_club_australia
@masterlock_comanche
@hillarybuckman📸 @saltydingomedia#Masterlockcomanche
#comancheyacht
#rolexsydneyhobart
#rshyr2024
#sydneyhobart