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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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Ebbin & Tulane Secure Podium Finish at St. Mary’s Open
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Bermudian sailor Christian Ebbin and his Tulane University teammates delivered a commanding performance on the Potomac River this weekend, securing third place at the highly competitive St. Mary's Open Team Race.
In a field featuring 10 of the premier collegiate programs in the United States, the Green Wave finished the regatta with an impressive 7–2 record. The result underscores Tulane’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in the coed team racing circuit as they navigate a grueling spring schedule.
Ebbin, serving as one of the squad's key skippers alongside Kelly Holthus and Hamilton Barclay, demonstrated exceptional tactical awareness in the shifting conditions off the St. Mary’s College of Maryland waterfront.
The trio of skippers, supported by the clinical crew work of Jonah Wozniak, Sabrina Anderson, and Taylor Bartell, proved too much for several heavyweight opponents. Tulane’s path to the podium was marked by a string of significant victories over traditional sailing powers, including the College of Charleston, Cornell, and the United States Naval Academy.
The Green Wave also secured vital wins against host school St. Mary's College, as well as Christopher Newport, Rhode Island, and George Washington. The 7–2 scoreline reflects a level of consistency that has become the hallmark of the New Orleans-based program this season.
For Ebbin, who has made a seamless transition into the elite tier of American collegiate sailing, the podium finish provides significant momentum heading into the business end of the Atlantic Coast season. With only two losses on their card for the weekend, Tulane has firmly established itself as a team to watch as the countdown to the national championship selections begins.
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Monday, March 16, 2026
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McBain Triumphs in Bermuda Selection Trials
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The pristine waters of Bermuda provided a dramatic theatre for the next generation of sailing talent this week as the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association concluded its high-stakes selection trials.
Over four grueling days and twelve intense races, the island’s elite young sailors battled shifting winds and high-pressure tactical scenarios to secure their spots for the upcoming World, European, and South American Championships.
The regatta was defined by its relentless consistency and fluctuating leaderboards, but it was Thomas McBain who ultimately rose to the occasion to be crowned the overall champion. McBain demonstrated exceptional poise across the twelve-race series, navigating the technical challenges of the course to finish at the summit of the podium.
He was pushed to the limit by Rex Henagulph, who secured a well-deserved second place after a string of impressive finishes in the final sessions. Heath Meyers rounded out the top three, claiming the bronze position after a resilient display of mid-fleet management and tactical grit.
Beyond the battle for the overall title, the trials highlighted the depth of talent currently rising through the Bermudian ranks. Elaine Jones delivered a standout performance to be named the Top Female sailor, showcasing the clinical boat handling that has seen her become a consistent threat at the front of the fleet.
In the highly competitive Mid-Fleet division, Mason Portelli emerged victorious to claim the top honours. As the final whistles blew and the champions were crowned on the water, the focus now shifts to the international stage, where this newly formed elite squad will look to carry Bermuda's proud sailing legacy across three continents.
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Sunday, March 15, 2026
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Weather Halts Kempe in Palma in Mallorca Regatta
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Strong winds gusting across Palma Bay forced the cancellation of the final day of the Mallorca Sailing Center Regatta, leaving the overnight standings to decide the silverware in a high-caliber Olympic-class field.
The decision by race officials means the results from a grueling opening day stand as the final classification. For Bermuda’s Sebastian Kempe, the newly crowned Male Athlete of the Year and Islandstats.com Male Athlete of the Year, it marks a solid opening to his European season, finishing 21st overall in a competitive 68-boat ILCA7 fleet.
In a regatta heavily impacted by the elements, only four races were possible before the weather turned. Despite the limited opportunities to climb the leaderboard, Kempe demonstrated the elite pace that has seen him rise through the international ranks.
The 20-year-old Bermudian secured two top-ten finishes from the four races contested. He signaled his intent early with an 8th-place finish in the opening race, before delivering a clinical display in the fourth race to cross the line in 6th. Kempe concluded the event with 55 net points, proving he can consistently mix it with the frontrunners in the Bay of Palma.
The regatta also saw a standout performance from a familiar face to the Bermuda sailing community. Fiachra McDonnell, a former sailor with both the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, showcased exceptional consistency to claim 2nd place overall.
McDonnell finished the regatta with 22 net points, trailing only the winner in a display of tactical brilliance. For Kempe, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Trofeo Princesa Sofia, where he will look to build on this momentum as the Olympic-class circuit moves into high gear
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Thursday, March 12, 2026
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Bermuda Braced for High-Octane Return of SailGP
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Bermuda is preparing to take center stage in the global sailing calendar once again, with next week marking exactly 50 days to go until the APEX Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix.
The world’s most exciting racing on water returns to the island's iconic Great Sound on May 9th and 10th, 2026, promising a high-adrenaline spectacle that has become a hallmark of the Bermudian summer.
The event will see a record fleet of international teams pilot cutting-edge F50 foiling catamarans. These "flying boats" are expected to reach blistering speeds exceeding 60 mph (100 km/h), transforming the Great Sound into a natural nautical stadium.
This year’s Grand Prix serves as the fifth stop of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship, a season that is already being hailed as the most expansive in the league’s history. For Bermuda, it is a chance to reassert its status as a premier global destination for elite sport.
To mark the 50-day milestone, organizers have released a suite of digital assets designed to help fans and partners build momentum. The "50 Days To Go" assets are available for use across social media, newsletters, and internal communications as the island gears up for the fleet's arrival.
The weekend is structured as a full-scale festival, featuring:
Waterfront Race Stadium: Located at Morgan's Point, offering big-screen coverage and live commentary.
Vela Beach Club: A premium experience presented by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB): An exclusive programme allowing fans to watch from the perimeter of the racecourse.
While excitement reaches fever pitch, organizers have warned that tickets are selling quickly. Various packages remain available, but fans are encouraged to act fast to secure their spot at the water's edge.
For those looking to host staff or clients, a 10% group booking discount is currently being offered for parties of 25 or more. Interested groups can enquire via the official Group Booking Form or by contacting the community team directly.
As the countdown enters its final stages, Bermuda is once again ready to prove why it remains one of the most iconic backdrops in world sport.
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Monday, March 09, 2026
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Kempe & Penruddocke Find Late Form in Grand Prix
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Bermuda’s premier sailors faced a stern test of patience and skill at the 8th Portugal Grand Prix Round 2 in Vilamoura, where Olympian Adriana Penruddocke and Olympic hopeful Sebastian Kempe battled through a grueling week of light and inconsistent conditions. The regatta eventually concluded in a stabilizing northerly breeze, allowing a strong international fleet to complete the scheduled program across the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, Kempe navigated a frustrating series that saw only six races completed over the course of the event. Despite the limited opportunities to climb the standings, the Olympic hopeful demonstrated his potential by finishing the regatta on a high note. Kempe secured 29th place overall with 84 net points, anchored by a standout performance in the final race where he crossed the line in a superb 9th position.
Competing in the ILCA 6 class, Penruddocke finished 43rd in a fleet that managed seven races during the competition. The Olympian showed flashes of her top-tier pace, particularly as the breeze settled later in the week. Penruddocke recorded two impressive 9th place finishes in races five and seven, proving her ability to compete at the front of a world-class field when the conditions allowed for consistent racing. Both sailors will now look to build on these late-regatta breakthroughs as they continue their preparations on the road to the summer's major international championships.
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