The Foil Weekly Wrap - 19 Jan '26

This week we've got the first AC38 date confirmed, the inaugural Perth Sail Grand Prix delivered strong racing with the usual dose of controversy, and there's been action across the Atlantic from both the RORC Transatlantic Race and Sodebo's ongoing Jules Verne Trophy attempt. Here's what you need to know…

After months of rumours, we finally have something concrete on the calendar: the first Preliminary Regatta of the 38th America's Cup will take place in Cagliari, Sardinia, from 21-24 May 2026. It's the first big calendar announcement of the AC38 cycle and it makes perfect sense – Luna Rossa has been based there for over a decade, the conditions can be spectacular, and the Gulf of Angels provides a natural amphitheatre for spectators to watch from shore.

All five currently entered teams will compete in AC40s across four days of fleet racing, with each syndicate fielding up to two boats – one for the main squad and one for Women's and Youth America's Cup sailors. Points won't count towards the main America's Cup standings, but after more than a year since the last competitive action in Barcelona, every team will be desperate to size each other up.

More details are coming this week following the Naples press conference on 21 January. I'll be there to bring you the latest.

Two very different beasts dominated the RORC Transatlantic Race to Antigua, and both rewrote the record books in the process.

Jason Carroll's MOD70 trimaran Argo absolutely turboed across the Atlantic in 4 days, 23 hours and 51 minutes – nearly two and a half hours ahead of her rival Erik Maris' Zoulou.

And after two and a half years of development and testing, the radical semi-foiling Baltic 111 superyacht Raven finally completed her first proper event, crossing the line in 6 days, 22 hours and 27 minutes to claim monohull line honours and the IMA Trophy. She destroyed the previous monohull record by nearly two days – a staggering margin that speaks to just how transformative foiling technology has become, even when you're only semi-airborne.

Thomas Coville and the crew of Sodebo Ultim 3 are entering the home straight of their round-the-world record attempt, and it's going to be tight. After crossing the equator back into the northern hemisphere on Monday morning, they're sitting on a 20-hour-49-minute cushion over IDEC Sport's 2017 record.

That sounds comfortable, but the North Atlantic has a nasty habit of dishing out complications in the final days – they'll need to navigate around the Azores High to the east, then likely battle rough seas off Spain and in the Bay of Biscay courtesy of a powerful low-pressure system. The crew must cross the finish line between Ushant and Lizard Point before 8:31pm on Sunday, 25 January to break the record. This time next week, we'll know if they've made it.

If you somehow missed our coverage of the Perth Sail Grand Prix this week, here's what you need to check out.

Just one minute into the first race, New Zealand and Switzerland collided at the leeward gate, ripping the back few feet clean off the Kiwi boat and sending their rudder to the bottom of the bay (later retrieved). The umpires slapped Pete Burling with seven penalty points, ruling New Zealand at fault for failing to react when Switzerland gybed onto starboard. Burling didn't accept it, many viewers didn't accept it, and those penalty points could haunt the Black Foils for the rest of the season. The discussion below our Saturday video got quite heated – what do you think of the umpire's decision?

As for Great Britain, they went from decent-but-not-dazzling on Saturday to utterly dominant on Sunday, claiming the event win with a masterclass in flight control and tactical nous. Stu Bithell impressed in his new role as wing trimmer, but The Foil's Sailor of the Day went to Luke Parkinson, whose work as flight controller was nothing short of exceptional in 18-22 knots and brutal chop that had most of the fleet simply hanging on for dear life.

Check out Andy Rice's full Perth review for the deep dive, and catch up on all the action with our roundup video below featuring Andy and Freddie Carr breaking down an extraordinary opening weekend of Season 6.

One year ahead of the main event, Fortaleza in Brazil hosts the Test Event for the 2027 World Sailing Championships running from 24-31 January 2026. Men's and Women's Dinghy, Windsurfing, and Kite events will give sailors their first chance to compete on the championship courses and get acquainted with Fortaleza's renowned strong winds and warm waters. It's also a comprehensive dress rehearsal for race officials and organisers ahead of the full World Championships on 22-30 January 2027.