Daily Sailing Debrief - February 13, 2026

Feb 13

Emirates Team New Zealand Regains "First-Mover Advantage" The Kiwi defenders have officially rolled out their AC75, Taihoro, at their Wynyard Quarter base in Auckland following a major secret refit. Reconfigured with advanced flight control systems and a masterclass in carbon craftsmanship, Taihoro is the first 37th Cup-winning boat to return to the water to begin the 2027 build-up. Full Story at Sail-World
Luna Rossa Also Back in Action; Legality Debate Continues While the Italian team joins ETNZ in the race to launch their AC75s, former Cup sailor John Sweeney has doubled down on his legal complaint. Sweeney claims the current foiling format is "illegal" under the Deed of Gift and has threatened to take the matter to the New York courts. Full Story at Giornale della Vela

American Magic Acquires Danish ROCKWOOL Racing in $60M Deal In what is being called a "landmark deal," American Magic co-founder Doug DeVos has acquired the Danish SailGP entry. This $60 million transaction signals a massive shift toward a permanent U.S. sailing legacy, merging American Magic’s technical resources with one of the most consistent teams on the foiling circuit. Full Story at Live Sail Die
Auckland SailGP: Speed Records Under Threat Meteorologists are predicting a "fresh-to-frightening" weekend on the Waitematā Harbour. With wind speeds forecasted to hit 55 km/h, the league’s all-time speed record (103.93 km/h) is expected to tumble during the Auckland event. Full Story at SailGP

Southern Wind SW108 "Kalantis" Begins Sea Trials The third unit of the 36-meter SW108 series, Kalantis, has hit the water. With naval architecture by Farr Yacht Design and a "Rationalist" interior by Nauta, the yacht represents the pinnacle of modern performance-cruising, designed for both light-wind agility and global exploration. Full Story at BOAT International
Is the Gitana 18 the "Smartest" Boat Ever Built? The latest foiling Ultim trimaran, Gitana 18, was unveiled at Lorient. Capable of theoretical speeds of 55 knots, the 32-meter giant is described as a "melting pot of crazy ideas," utilizing extreme offshore technology to redefine what is possible in unassisted circumnavigation. Full Story at Yachting World

USF Bulls Set Course for Spring Campaign The University of South Florida sailing team officially launches its spring season this weekend at the SAISA Top 6 Women’s Fleet Race. The Bulls enter the rankings behind host College of Charleston, marking a high-stakes debut for their 2026 title aspirations. Full Story at USF Athletics
Trinity College Makes History with "Women at the Helm" Trinity’s sailing club hosted a landmark event in Dún Laoghaire, attracting 18 teams. It marks the first time a college-led regatta has focused specifically on empowering female leadership in keelboat racing. Full Story at Afloat

Jimmy Cornell on Lateral Thinking Under Sail With over 200,000 miles logged, legendary cruiser Jimmy Cornell shares a lesson in "hacking" yacht systems. He advocates for simplicity, describing how he once bypassed an entire electronic steering failure with a simple 6-foot steel bar, reminding cruisers that the best solutions aren't always in the manual. Full Story at Cruising World
Restoring Gelcoat: A DIY Guide A practical deep-dive for boat owners looking to restore their vessel's luster before the spring season. The guide covers everything from deep-cut compound techniques to the final application of UV-protectant waxes. Full Story at Cruising World

Daily Sailing Debrief - February 14, 2026