Sailing News — Log of the Week 5 September 2025: Regattas, Marinas & Boat Shows

End-of-summer regattas, marina upgrades, and the big September show sprint

Early September is that hinge in the season: fleets finish their summer titles, maxis arrive in Sardinia, and show crews are bolting down carpets from Cannes to Southampton. Here’s your neatly packed roundup—results to know, dates to circle, and dockside changes that actually matter if you’re cruising the Med this month.

1) Fireball Worlds wrap: Swiss champions on a record Garda fleet

The 2025 Fireball World Championship closed on Lake Garda with a 136-boat armada and classic Ora conditions. Switzerland’s Yves Mermod / Maja Siegenthaler took the title by three points after a nine-race series—only the fifth non-British victory since 1992. Garda delivered its usual geometry lesson: lane discipline at the cliff, precise laylines, and no forgiveness for downwind traffic. If you’re a two-handed dinghy fan, the photo galleries are worth a coffee. Full provisional sheets and national spreads are posted, with the final bulletin underscoring just how international this class has become.

2) ILCA U21 Worlds, Dublin Bay: three new world champions

Dun Laoghaire’s Royal St George YC and National YC signed off a breezy, full-value ILCA U21 Worlds. Titles went to Roos Wind, Ole Schweckendiek, and Omer Vered Vilenchik after a 12-race series that rewarded clean starts and conservative downwinds in lumpy seas. For talent-spotters, the U21s are a cheat sheet for next year’s senior podiums; for coaches, the debriefs and daily photo sets are a rig-tuning masterclass in wave state. Results and event wrap are up now on the ILCA sites.

3) Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup begins Sunday: 50-ish giants, 5 race days

Porto Cervo becomes the maxi world’s center from 7–13 September. Expect ~45–50 boats across the rating bands and five race days on Costa Smeralda’s postcard courses. This 35th edition also marks four decades of Rolex partnership, a longevity that’s shaped the event’s “quiet-precision” feel on and off the water. If you’re cruising Sardinia, check YCCS bulletins for course areas before picking an anchorage—spectator angles are superb, but the race box gets busy quickly.

4) 52 SUPER SERIES: American Magic Quantum Racing bank Mallorca

After a weather-jumbled opening, American Magic Quantum Racing controlled the Puerto Portals stop to extend their season narrative—clinical starts, measured risk, and tidy exits from traffic. The series’ Med swing has re-energised dock talk ahead of autumn, with Sled and Alegre flashing pace but struggling to stitch whole days. If you track development trends, the class remains the benchmark for how small aero and systems gains translate into points. Event recaps and day sheets tell a consistent story: the tidy boats cashed in.

Read More: 52 SUPER SERIES

5) SailGP Sassnitz: France snatches it; Denmark clocks 103.93 km/h

Germany’s debut SailGP stop at Sassnitz delivered theatre: France won the Final over Australia and Great Britain, while Denmark set a new series top-speed at 103.93 km/h with the 18 m wing. Variable breeze punished inconsistency—Spain’s hot-cold scoreline shows how fine the line is at 50 knots. With standings tight, the narrative rolls toward Saint-Tropez (12–13 Sept), a venue that historically amplifies split-second layline calls. Results and recap clips are live across the league’s channels and European sports press.

6) Cannes Yachting Festival next week: 700 boats and late Friday

9–14 September across Vieux Port (power) and Port Canto (sail). Expect ~700 boats and ~650 exhibitors, with Friday open late to 22:00—handy if you’re day-tripping. If you’re shopping, pre-book builder slots; the good demos vanish by mid-week. Pro tip: use the show’s interactive maps to plan cross-harbour transfers; Cannes is big enough to waste hours without a route. Opening hours and exhibitor lists are published now.

7) Genoa (18–23 Sept) sets Italy’s cadence between Cannes & Monaco

The 65th Genoa International Boat Show anchors the middle of the month with the usual full spread—from inflatables to superyachts—and a strong technology alley. Italian builders use Genoa to preview late-season updates and firm orderbooks ahead of winter yards, so it’s a good read on propulsion and systems trends. Practical note: tickets route via the official site; access and timings are published and being updated as stands lock in.

8) Monaco Yacht Show (24–27 Sept): Blue Wake goes from hub to awards

Monaco’s superyacht week sharpens its Blue Wake™ sustainability push with a dedicated awards slate this year, recognising five categories on 23 September before the show opens. Expect 500+ exhibitors and a curated route through propulsion, materials, and operations that actually move the needle (not just concept art). For cruisers, the useful bit is shore-side tech you’ll soon see trickle into marinas and refit yards.

9) Southampton International Boat Show (19–28 Sept): UK’s big tent

If you’re UK-based (or flying in), Southampton offers the broadest “whole sport” showcase—dinghies to bluewater cats, with a busy in-water zone and a nightly Shipyard music programme. Dates and visitor info are live; expect premium ticket tiers and brand demo slots to go fast. For systems geeks, the accessory halls are where you’ll find the season’s practical upgrades in power, safety, and electronics.

Read More: Southampton International Boat Show

10) Ibiza shore power: €5m upgrade brings quieter nights in port

IGY Ibiza Marina completed a €5 million redevelopment with superyacht shore power and a revised berth layout—good news for crews and anyone who likes sleeping without generator hum. Operators say the upgrade extends the shoulder season by improving comfort and reducing emissions/quayside noise in high-traffic months. If you plan Balearics shoulder cruising, expect healthier dock power and fewer “sorry, full” moments as layout efficiency improves.

11) Blue Flag 2025: Greece holds second worldwide—17 marinas

Greece again ranks #2 globally in Blue Flag awards, with 623 beaches, 17 marinas and 17 tour boats certified this season. For cruisers choosing bases or hop-routes, the flag isn’t just PR—it correlates with water quality, environmental practice, and safety info consistency. Note: a handful of Greek beaches lost flags this year for non-compliance, a reminder the standard is reassessed annually.

More Info: Blue Flag

12) Heads-up this weekend: Camille Rayon “Ports’ Challenge” (Golfe-Juan)

If you’re on the Côte d’Azur 6–7 September, D-Marin’s Ports’ Challenge returns—a friendly mix of bay sailing, classic pointus displays, and quayside socials across Port Camille Rayon and Vieux Port de Golfe-Juan. Not a mega-show, just a local, well-run weekend that’s perfect if you’re between legs or waiting weather. Check the event page for timings and access.

Closing Message

Two tracks define the next fortnight: racing theatre in Sardinia and the show-floor sprint from Cannes to Monaco (with Genoa and Southampton in between). If you’re cruising through, book the berths you care about, and if you’re boat-shopping, use the late Friday at Cannes to breathe—it’s a good window when the docks thin out.

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