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Thursday, May 07, 2026
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Bermudian Duo Earn All-Conference Honours
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Bermudian sailors Jordan Vieira and Paul Rodrigues Jr. have been named to the 2025-26 All-Southern Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) Second Team, marking a significant milestone for the Eckerd College sailing programme.
The Southern Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) announced its annual superlatives this week, with four members of the Florida-based Eckerd College squad receiving recognition for their performances over the fall and spring seasons.
Jordan Vieira and Paul Rodrigues Jr. were both selected as Second Team All-SAISA in the Open Skipper category. The duo, who have become mainstays of the Tritons' competitive rotation, were joined by teammates Avery Guck and Tia Soultanakis, who earned honours in the Crew category.
The all-conference nods follow a string of clinical displays by the Bermudian pairing throughout the 2025-26 circuit.
SAISA Open Fleet Race Championships: Vieira and Rodrigues Jr. powered Eckerd to a second-place overall finish among 18 schools. Rodrigues Jr. secured the best B-Division score of the regatta, highlighted by five first-place finishes.
Truxtun Umsted Regatta: The pair helped the Tritons to a sixth-place finish in a premier national field, with Vieira’s boat finishing fourth in the B Division.
SAISA Top Six Fleet Race: In a tactical battle in Charleston, the duo led the team to a fourth-place finish against the conference's elite.
The individual accolades provide a vital boost for Eckerd as the programme continues its ascent within the South Atlantic region. Managed by a volunteer committee, the All-SAISA selections are based on a comprehensive review of results and tactical consistency across the academic year.
For Vieira and Rodrigues Jr., the recognition cements their status as two of the most reliable skippers in collegiate sailing, providing a strong foundation for the Tritons as they prepare for the final challenges of the spring campaign.
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Thursday, May 07, 2026
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Twelve High Speed Catamarans Set for Great Sound
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The crystal-clear waters of the Great Sound are bracing for the arrival of the world’s most elite foiling fleet as the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix takes center stage this weekend.
On May 9th - 10th, the fifth event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship will see twelve high-performance F50 catamarans battling for supremacy in what has become one of the most prestigious stops on the global circuit.
The world’s best sailors have touched down in Bermuda, with several line-up changes adding a layer of tactical intrigue to the weekend's racing.
Led by the legendary Nathan Outteridge, the Swedish outfit features wing trimmer Chris Draper and flight controller Andy Maloney. Saul Vassalo steps in as data analyst for this event, replacing Robbie Urwin.
The dominant Australians remain a formidable force. Driver Tom Slingsby is supported by a settled core including Iain Jensen, Jason Waterhouse, Sam Newton, and Kinley Fowler.
Quentin Delapierre captains the French charge. Notably, Erika Reineke joins the squad as reserve strategist, stepping in for Marie Riou, as the team looks to climb the season standings.
The British team, under driver Dylan Fletcher and wing trimmer Stuart Bithell, brings a wealth of experience. Strategy is spearheaded by the decorated Hannah Mills.
Erik Kosegarten-Heil takes the wheel for the German squad. Their line-up features Kevin Peponnet on the wing and James Wierzbowski controlling the flight.
The Spanish "Gallos" are led by driver Diego Botin and wing trimmer Florian Trittel. They remain a threat in light-air conditions, with Joel Rodríguez handling flight duties.
Martine Grael continues to break ground as driver for the Brazilian entry. She is supported by a high-calibre crew including Pietro Sibello and strategist Paul Goodison.
Giles Scott leads the Canadian contingent into the Great Sound. The crew features Paul Campbell-James and flight controller Billy Gooderham, aiming for a podium breakthrough.
Phil Robertson takes the helm for Italy, known for his aggressive starting style. Maelle Frascari joins the team for this leg as a reserve athlete, replacing Matteo Celon.
Denmark's Nicolai Sehested brings a hard-racing reputation to Bermuda. His crew includes Tom Johnson and strategist Kahena Kunze, as they look to maintain their status as consistent frontrunners.
Sébastien Schneiter drivers the Swiss entry, supported by Arnaud Psarofaghis and flight controller Bryan Mettraux. The young team continues to show rapid development on the foiling circuit.
Taylor Canfield leads the home-continent charge. The American roster features Michael Menninger and Hans Henken, with Anna Weis bringing power to the grinding team.
With a forecast of breezier conditions expected on the Great Sound, the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix promises to be a test of both nerve and technical precision.
As the 2026 championship reaches its midpoint, every point in Bermuda counts toward the million-dollar Grand Final. For the residents and fans lining the shores of the Great Sound, the countdown to high-speed action is officially over.
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Wednesday, May 06, 2026
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Airforce Fly High as 29 Boats Contest Week 4
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Airforce secured a hard-fought victory in the fourth week of Wednesday Night Sailing, overcoming a 29-boat fleet in the waters of Hamilton Harbour.
In a crowded field hosted by the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, the battle for the top spot was ultimately decided by the handicap. While Crossfire was the first boat to physically cross the finish line with an elapsed time of 1:00:57, their corrected time of 1:07:13 saw them pushed down to 10th place overall.
The night belonged to Airforce, who crossed the line in 1:07:11. Once the handicaps were applied, their corrected time of 1:03:35 was enough to secure first place on the night.
The race for the remaining podium positions was a close affair. Back in Black claimed second place with a corrected time of 1:04:32, followed closely by Scatteration, who rounded out the top three with a time of 1:04:44.
The competition remained fierce further down the leaderboard, with Menace securing fourth place with a corrected time of 1:05:39, and Yabsta finished just five seconds adrift of fourth, completing the top five with a time of 1:05:44.
With nearly 30 boats taking to the start line, the Wednesday Night series continues to prove its status as a staple of the local sailing calendar.
Wednesday Night Sailing Race Day 4
1:03:35 Airforce
1:04:32 Back in Black
1:04:44 Scatteraction
1:05:39 Menace
1:05:44 Yabsta
1:06:47 Tiburon
1:06:51 RS 21 3 LEACH
1:07:01 Peppercorn
1:07:01 Windfire
1:07:13 Crossfire
1:07:37 Solna II
1:08:07 Encore
1:08:41 Celerity
1:08:43 Jitterbug
1:08:48 Lorato Makato
1:08:56 Fat Tuesday
1:08:57 RS 21 2 REDBURN
1:09:24 Stormy
1:09:27 RS 21 4 REID
1:19:21 RS 21 6 SAVAGE
1:10:11 Lix
1:10:14 RS 21 1 NEAME
1:10:39 RS 21 5 FRANK
1:10:40 Privateer
1:12:16 Blitz
1:15:41 Down Time
1:15:22 Impulse
1:19:50 Severn
DNF Passion
DNF Grace
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Monday, May 04, 2026
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Countdown Underway for Speed on the Great Sound
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The countdown is officially on for the 2026 Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, as the world’s most elite foiling catamarans prepare to return to the Great Sound this coming weekend, May 9th and 10th. Bermuda serves as the pivotal fifth stop of the 2026 Season, a calendar year that has already been defined by relentless speed and high-stakes drama on the water.
The 2026 Season has seen a rotating cast of champions across the first four events, with momentum shifting wildly between the leading nations:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Event 4): Most recently, the Bonds Flying Roos (Australia) demonstrated their championship pedigree in April. Driver Tom Slingsby led the Aussies to a comprehensive victory, highlighted by a dominant "Super Sunday" performance where they swept all four races.
Sydney, Australia (Event 3): In a historic upset on Australian waters, the U.S. SailGP Team claimed the top spot in early March, securing their first win of the season.
Auckland, New Zealand (Event 2): The Bonds Flying Roos also took the title in New Zealand, making them the only team to have multiple event wins heading into the Bermuda leg.
Perth, Australia (Event 1): The season opener in January was claimed by the reigning champions, Emirates GBR, helmed by Dylan Fletcher.
While the racing has been fast, it has also been dangerous. The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in February was marred by a "catastrophic" collision between home-team Black Foils (New Zealand) and DS Team France during the third fleet race.
The incident occurred when the Kiwis appeared to lose control at high speed, veering sharply into the path of the French boat. The impact caused the New Zealand platform to collapse and threw France's strategist through the steering wheel. The crash resulted in serious injuries to Kiwi grinder Louis Sinclair, who required surgery for compound fractures in both legs. This incident significantly impacted the season standings, with SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts suggesting the Black Foils' title hopes may have been severely compromised by the resulting penalties and damage.
Bermuda’s natural amphitheater is set to host six races over two days, with twelve teams competing for a spot in the winner-takes-all final.
Race Day 1 (Saturday, May 9th): Racing scheduled from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
Race Day 2 (Sunday, May 10th): Racing scheduled from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, culminating in the three-boat final.
With the Australia team looking to continue their "Super Sunday" momentum from Rio and the U.S. and British teams close behind, the Great Sound is primed for another weekend of high-velocity spectacle.
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Friday, May 01, 2026
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CedarBridge Wins SailGP Inspire Next Gen Challenge
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SailGP has announced that Cedar Bridge Academy has been named the winner of the SailGP Inspire Next Gen Challenge in Bermuda, recognizing outstanding innovation, sustainability and engineering design.
Delivered with the support of Bermuda-based registered charity Endeavour, the Next Gen Challenge is part of SailGP Inspire, the global championship’s award-winning community, education and outreach program. In Bermuda, approximately 1,600 students ages 11–14 participated, building model F50 catamarans from repurposed materials while applying sustainability principles, teamwork and real-world engineering skills.
Judges praised Cedar Bridge Academy’s model F50 as “engineered to a remarkably high standard,” citing its ingenious use of repurposed materials and exceptional attention to detail across the wings, hull, spinnaker and foils.
Sandys Secondary Middle School placed second, impressing judges with its creative use of upcycled soda cans inspired by the Bonds Flying Roos colorway. Bermuda High School finished third.
SailGP Inspire, supported by global partner Mubadala, has engaged more than 34,000 young people globally, creating pathways into sailing and the wider marine industry through hands-on experiences and innovation-led learning. In Bermuda, the program also connects students to the island’s rich sailing heritage and its influence on the iconic F50 design.
The Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix (May 9–10) marks the fifth stop of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship, with international teams racing identical high-speed F50 catamarans. Winning schools will receive tickets to attend the event and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the SailGP Tech Site.
The event will be a spotlight moment for Bermuda, showcasing the island’s capabilities, beauty and status as a top global sailing destination on the world’s stage. This will be the fourth time Bermuda hosts the Rolex SailGP Championship. Tickets remain on sale to the general public for the event at SailGP.com/Bermuda.
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