US Team Racing, Adult Champs, and Para Champs: US Sailing's Championship Extravaganza

This past weekend, US Sailing hosted three championships: the U.S. Team Racing Championship for the Hinman, the U.S. Adult Championship for the Mallory, and the U.S. Para Sailing Championship. Each saw a full field of competitors and incredibly tight racing.

Congratulations to the winners: Los Huevos at the...US Team Racing, Adult Champs, and Para Champs: US Sailing's Championship Extravaganza

This past weekend, US Sailing hosted three championships: the U.S. Team Racing Championship for the Hinman, the U.S. Adult Championship for the Mallory, and the U.S. Para Sailing Championship. Each saw a full field of competitors and incredibly tight racing.

Congratulations to the winners: Los Huevos at the Hinman, Kurt Taken-Holtze, Jeff Hames and Jon Lee at the U.S. Adult Championship, and Julie Smith and the team of Michael Lung and Scott Kolb at the U.S. Para Champs. Show more

🌊 ICSA Sets Sail for a Strong Fall Season: An Interview with Executive Director Peter Fanta

This week, we caught up with Peter Fanta, the new full-time Executive Director of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), to discuss the upcoming fall sailing season and the future of college sailing. Peter shared insights on his role, which spans day-to-day operations, national championships, and...🌊 ICSA Sets Sail for a Strong Fall Season: An Interview with Executive Director Peter Fanta

This week, we caught up with Peter Fanta, the new full-time Executive Director of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), to discuss the upcoming fall sailing season and the future of college sailing. Peter shared insights on his role, which spans day-to-day operations, national championships, and long-term growth for the sport.

He highlighted the financial challenges facing colleges and athletic departments and explained how ICSA is working to make events more accessible, from selecting cost-effective venues to coordinating schedules that avoid expensive travel conflicts. Peter emphasized the importance of keeping all teams—club, regional, and varsity—competitive and engaged, citing examples of student-run teams achieving top-10 finishes at nationals.

Looking ahead, Peter hopes to see more teams returning post-COVID, with a goal of expanding participation across the country, particularly in underrepresented regions like the Midwest. He also underscored the value of college sailing in developing leadership, resilience, and lifelong skills.

Fall highlights include the Atlantic Coast Championships, single-handed nationals in Norfolk, match race championships in St. Petersburg, and the Kennedy Cup offshore events. Peter encouraged alumni and supporters to contribute to ICSA, noting that media coverage, live streams, and high-quality regattas rely on donations and sponsor support.

With a strong returning roster and exciting fall events, the 2025 season promises high-level competition and growth opportunities for sailors of all sizes and experience levels.

Follow the season and support college sailing at [ICSA website] and stay tuned for updates! Show more - at United States

Ep. 6 Interview: ICSA Executive Director Peter...

Hear from the Executive Director of ICSA Peter Fanta as he talks about the past, present and future of college sailing with Lexi Pline and Whitney Kent. Below is the site for real-time results of College Sailing regattas. This site includes scores and participation records for all fleet-racing and team-racing events within ICSA. https://scores.collegesailing.org/ ICSA Interconference Regatta...

⚓ American Sailor Podcast – August Wrap-Up

In this Noticeboard episode, John Pierce, Janelle Martin, and Whitney Kent come together in person to recap a busy end of summer at US Sailing. The staff kicked off strategic planning (and some J/22 sailing) before diving into big stories across the sailing world.

F-18 America’s Championship: Lexi Pine reported from Sail Newport, where shifty winds kept the...⚓ American Sailor Podcast – August Wrap-Up

In this Noticeboard episode, John Pierce, Janelle Martin, and Whitney Kent come together in person to recap a busy end of summer at US Sailing. The staff kicked off strategic planning (and some J/22 sailing) before diving into big stories across the sailing world.

F-18 America’s Championship: Lexi Pine reported from Sail Newport, where shifty winds kept the fleet on their toes. Sailors shared how friendships and community keep them coming back year after year.

Women’s Match Race Champs: At St. Francis YC, stacked competition and breezy conditions tested the fleet. Team Vela Racing took the win, while the event highlighted camaraderie, inclusivity, and strong clinics to bring in new match racers. The match racing circuit also saw action in Detroit and Chicago, with plenty more to come.

SailGP Germany: A wild weekend featured major gear failures (Brazil’s boat folding in half, France losing a rudder) and a dramatic U.S.–GBR collision. The French team ultimately claimed the win, while safety, limited practice time, and the sport’s NASCAR-style thrills were hot topics.

Ocean Race Europe: On leg three to Nice, racing remains tight. A jury decision after a high-profile collision granted redress to Holcim, keeping competition alive.

North Americans Everywhere: From 505s in Kingston to Snipes in San Diego, J/109s in Chicago, T-10s in Michigan, and Lightnings in Buffalo, fleets delivered competitive racing and strong community spirit. Highlights included Howard Hamlin’s 50th 505 NAs and young Lightning sailors making waves.

Youth & International Updates: U.S. sailors brought home medals at the Junior Pan Am Games in Paraguay, while American Magic continues its strong run in the 52 Super Series. The Naval Academy’s varsity sailing team also earned top academic and athletic honors.

Moments of the Summer: The hosts reflected on personal highlights—from family racing in the Midwest to offshore adventures and grassroots sailing in Maine. They invite listeners to share their own standout summer sailing memories. Show more

American Sailor Ep. 5 | Match Racing, SailGP...

SailGP crash or deep cut Wind reference? Maybe Taylor’s on to something here… 🎙️ The Fifth Episode of American Sailor is now live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! This week, John Pearce, Janel Martin, and Whitney Kent break down the biggest sailing news from August. Tune in as they cover: ⛵️Match Racing ⁉ What Happened at SailGP? 🏆Junior Pan-Am Games And more! Plus, don’t miss the crew’s...

Palinuro's Final Training Campaign Leg
After completing its time abroad, the sailing ship Palinuro has returned to Italy, making a stop in Porto Torres, Sardinia. The ship drew thousands of visitors eager to admire its beauty and rich maritime traditions.

The 61st Training Campaign, however, isn't over yet. On Monday, September 15, thirty young members of ANMI, Lega Navale, and STA Italia...Palinuro's Final Training Campaign Leg
After completing its time abroad, the sailing ship Palinuro has returned to Italy, making a stop in Porto Torres, Sardinia. The ship drew thousands of visitors eager to admire its beauty and rich maritime traditions.

The 61st Training Campaign, however, isn't over yet. On Monday, September 15, thirty young members of ANMI, Lega Navale, and STA Italia embarked in Porto Torres for a ten-day experience. These young people will assist the crew with all manner of seafaring activities, day and night, learning new skills and building teamwork.

After a brief stop in Livorno, their adventure will conclude when the Palinuro arrives in La Spezia to participate in the prestigious "Sea Future" event. This final leg of the campaign offers these young people a unique opportunity to experience maritime tradition firsthand, enriching both their cultural and professional lives. Show more

A spectacular sight: drone footage captures the Italian Navy training ship, Palinuro, in Porto Torres at dusk.

The Palinuro ship's spectacular sighting in...

Porto Torres: The Italian Navy training ship, Palinuro, presents a jaw-dropping sight as it is anchored in Porto Torres at dusk. Our reader, Davide Tellini, captured the beautiful scene. The Palinuro, currently on its 61st training campaign, arrived on September 13th and is ready to welcome young naval cadets aboard. Admiral Pierluigi Rosati officially announced the ship's arrival to the Porto...

US Sailing's Strategic Plan is being redesigned under CEO Charlie Enright's leadership. A survey closes Thursday, July 31st - your input shapes the sport's future. Particularly seeking voices from young sailors, women, and underrepresented groups. Find the link on ussailing.org or social media.

The sailing community mourns the tragic accident at Miami Yacht Club involving their youth program,...US Sailing's Strategic Plan is being redesigned under CEO Charlie Enright's leadership. A survey closes Thursday, July 31st - your input shapes the sport's future. Particularly seeking voices from young sailors, women, and underrepresented groups. Find the link on ussailing.org or social media.

The sailing community mourns the tragic accident at Miami Yacht Club involving their youth program, where two sailors lost their lives. Our hearts go out to the entire community.

High Performance Director Marcus Lynch reports exciting momentum in Long Beach for the first summer of the Olympic quad. American sailors are establishing their base while international teams scout the venue. The Long Beach OCR drew strong participation, with 44 ILCA 6s, 52 ILCA 7s, and competitive kite fleets.
Top American Performances at Long Beach OCR:
- 470: 1st Justin Callahan/Laura Dolman Weiss, 2nd Nikki Barnes/Ryan Squires
- 49er: 1st Nevin Snow/Ian McDermad (ahead of Austria, China, GBR)
- 49erFX: 2nd Paris Hen/Helena Scott
- Formula Kite: Marcus Edgerin and Daniela Moroz returned to competition post-Olympics

The circuit continues growing with 12 boats and more joining next season. US team welcomes Andrew Campbell and Michael Menager despite hydraulics issues at Portsmouth. Next event: Kiel, Germany.

Our feature interview with Sam Pearson (Community Boating Boston) and Matt Thompson (Wayzata) reveals the power of accessible sailing. CBI has thrived for 80 years while Wayzata has quadrupled in size over five years under Thompson's leadership.
Key insights: Community sailing isn't just recreational - it's competitive at every level. Programs succeed by meeting people where they are, whether through racing, STEM education, adaptive sailing, or simply providing a safe space to flip boats and learn. Both programs emphasize staff retention through flexibility, fair pay scales, and creating genuine community connections.

The MAC races delivered drama and records. Bay View MAC saw storms and MOB situations (all recovered safely), while 2B52 Heartbreaker won both races with Riley Gibbs aboard. The Chicago MAC featured multiple women skippers on podiums, including third-place finisher Mad Cap's all-women crew - only the sixth such achievement in 116 races.
Transpac celebrated its first female overall winner in 119 years: Alli Bell's Cal 40 Restless took corrected time honors. The TB52 Worlds went to Doug DeVos's American Magic Quantum Racing, while the Fastnet Race marks the 100th edition with 450 starters.

American youth sailors continue impressing globally: 420 Worlds in Turkey saw multiple top-10 finishes, NACRA 15 Worlds in France delivered 5th overall for Dylan Tomco/Casey Small, and Garrett January sits 5th at IQ Foil Youth Worlds in France.

With 36 months to LA 2028, the Olympic venue will see increasing international presence. Community sailing programs nationwide are proving that access and excellence go hand-in-hand. Show more - at USA

Episode 3: Latest in Sailing News + A...

This week, hosts John Pearce and Whitney Kent recap the latest in sailing and are joined by a special guest — the US Sailing Team High Performance Director, Marcus Lynch! ⛵️ Later on, Janel Zarkowsky Martin and Whitney Kent sit down with Matthew Thompson and Sam Peirson as they dive into the latest insights in community sailing! 🎧 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts! Time Stamps:...

Dave Perry Interview Summary
Major Rule Changes for 2025-2028
Perry breaks down the most significant updates to the racing rules taking effect January 1st:
The "Slam Dunk" Modification: The biggest game-changer affects a maneuver used in match racing and team racing. Previously, if a port-tack boat could get an overlap before a starboard boat finished tacking, port could luff above close-hauled...Dave Perry Interview Summary
Major Rule Changes for 2025-2028
Perry breaks down the most significant updates to the racing rules taking effect January 1st:
The "Slam Dunk" Modification: The biggest game-changer affects a maneuver used in match racing and team racing. Previously, if a port-tack boat could get an overlap before a starboard boat finished tacking, port could luff above close-hauled. Now, the moment starboard passes head-to-wind, if port isn't overlapped, port must stay at close-hauled. This makes the slam dunk more effective but creates split-second judgment calls for umpires.
Windward Mark Changes: When two boats enter the windward mark zone on port tack and one tacks to starboard, the other boat is no longer entitled to mark room if they tack in the zone - designed to discourage risky port-tack approaches.
Communication Requirements: Sailors requesting room to tack must now specifically use the phrase "room to tack" rather than informal calls.
Collision Prevention: Rule 14 now prohibits causing contact between another boat and a third boat or fixed object, aimed at reducing damage.
The Rules-Making Process
Perry explains how sailing's international rule book evolves through a careful four-year cycle. Country rules committees submit ideas to World Sailing by August 1st each year. After public comment, the World Sailing Racing Rules Committee makes final decisions and publishes new rules on July 1st before implementation, allowing time for translation and familiarization.
"Winning in One Design" Legacy
Perry's classic book began as monthly columns in Yacht Racing Magazine from 1978-1982, written while training for two Olympics. Each chapter was "people tested" at racing clinics nationwide. Recent Olympic sailors praise it as essential reading, with eight-time Laser world champion Robert Scheidt calling it "the best book on tactics."
Match Racing Passion
For Perry, match racing represents "the ultimate tactics" - pure sailboat racing where equipment advantages are minimized. He describes it as 15 minutes of intense competition that forces continuous improvement and serves as excellent cross-training for fleet racing.
Youth Development: The Rose Cup
The US Sailing Youth Match Racing Championship emerged from Andy Rose and Balboa Yacht Club's efforts to develop American talent. After proving its value for three years, it became an official championship, serving as a crucial bridge from dinghy to keelboat sailing for 16-18 year olds.
Vision for Sailing's Future
Perry's biggest concern is sailing's limited adult education opportunities compared to golf and tennis. He advocates investing in coaching over equipment upgrades, noting that improved skills provide far better returns than marginal gear advantages. His vision includes more systematic adult education to help sailors improve and stay engaged. Show more - at USA

American Sailor: Bonus Episode w/ Dave Perry...

In this exclusive audio-only episode, host Janel Martin sits down with legendary sailing expert, coach, and author Dave Perry. They dive into the latest 2025 racing rule changes, share memorable life stories, and explore what’s on the horizon for the future of sailing. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or new to the sport, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs...

The American Sailor Podcast, the official podcast of US Sailing, has launched its second episode. The hosts, John Pierce, Lexi Pine, and Whitney Kent, discuss a range of sailing topics from the Great Lakes to Olympic news. The podcast is named after the American Sailor Magazine, US Sailing's official publication from the 1980s and 90s.

Key Highlights from the Water

Great Lakes Sailing: Whitney Kent...The American Sailor Podcast, the official podcast of US Sailing, has launched its second episode. The hosts, John Pierce, Lexi Pine, and Whitney Kent, discuss a range of sailing topics from the Great Lakes to Olympic news. The podcast is named after the American Sailor Magazine, US Sailing's official publication from the 1980s and 90s.

Key Highlights from the Water

Great Lakes Sailing: Whitney Kent reports from Chicago, where she is on her way to becoming an "old goat", a title for sailors who have completed the Chicago Mack Race 25 times. Her stepfather recently completed the race for the 50th time.

Women's Sailing: The hosts celebrated several milestones for women in the sport, including an allwomen's team that completed the Annapolis to Newport Race and a team preparing for the Chicago Mack Race. The podcast also covered the inaugural J/70 Mix Plus Worlds, an event designed to encourage women and youth sailors.

Youth and Community: Junior sailors have been busy, with the US Wingfoil Championship at St. Francis Yacht Club and the Ida Lewis Trophy for junior women. At two separate Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals, young sailors collected 400 pounds of trash, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

LA 2028 Olympics: The venues for the Olympic sailing events have been confirmed. Long Beach will host the foiling events, including Formula Kite and IQ Foil, while San Pedro will be the venue for traditional dinghy and catamaran classes.

US Sailing Symposiums: The next National Sailing Program Symposium is scheduled for 2027 in Fort Myers, Florida. In the meantime, US Sailing will host regional symposiums to connect with local sailing communities.

SailGP Schedule: The 2026 SailGP schedule has been announced, with a stop in New York City. Notably, the schedule does not include any West Coast events. Show more - at USA

Episode 2: "Notice Board" episode featuring all...

🎙️ The second episode of American Sailor is live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! This week is a “Notice Board” episode, going over all the latest news in sailing – which is a LOT! Join us in dissecting the June mayhem, including: 🪽U.S. Wingfoil Champs ⛵️The Great Lakes sailing scene 🏅Olympic sailing venue selection And more! Plus, listen to Lexi, John, and Whitney attempt to figure out...

- at USA

Episode 1: Charlie Enright, CEO + DJ Khaled is...

In Episode 1, hosts John Pearce, Lexi Pline and Whitney Kent dive into College Nationals and Women's Match Racing and the origin of where the name, "American Sailor" comes from. Also, DJ Khaled’s SailGP appearance and a sit down with US Sailing's new CEO, Charlie Enright and SVP of Development, Blaine Pedlow. About the hosts: John Pearce is US Sailing’s Youth Racing Director, focused on...

September 7, 1887: The Royal Ship *Palinuro* is Launched

The royal ship Palinuro, a 554-ton vessel of the **Miseno** class, was launched on September 7, 1887, from the Royal Naval Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia. She entered service on January 21, 1889.

While the Palinuro and her sister ship, the Miseno, were officially classified as schooners, their sailing rig was that of a brigantine.
...September 7, 1887: The Royal Ship *Palinuro* is Launched

The royal ship Palinuro, a 554-ton vessel of the **Miseno** class, was launched on September 7, 1887, from the Royal Naval Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia. She entered service on January 21, 1889.

While the Palinuro and her sister ship, the Miseno, were officially classified as schooners, their sailing rig was that of a brigantine.

Upon entering service, the Palinuro was immediately deployed to the Red Sea, operating from the bases of Assab and Massawa. She served as a colonial ship, primarily tasked with surveillance and the suppression of the slave trade and piracy.

After returning to Italy, she served as a training ship for cabin boys and helmsmen from 1891 to 1913. During World War I, she continued this role, training students from the Naval Academy.

The Palinuro was decommissioned on September 10, 1920, and her hull was sold to private individuals. Along with her sister ship, the Miseno, she was considered one of the finest vessels of her class to have served in the Italian Navy.

Interestingly, the current training ship, the Palinuro, is the sixth vessel in the Italian Navy to carry this historic name. Show more