PlanetSail

PlanetSail: Next Gen Beasts

Two big launches at opposite ends of the world. On top, the 32m Ultim trimaran Gitana 18 headed out from her base in Lorient on the west coast of France for her maiden sail. Down under the Kiwis slipped their dock lines in Auckland to take their newly reconfigured AC75 out for its first sail.

Justin Chisholm

Mar 13, 2026 — 1 min read

Both are big steps forward, both were carefully choreographed affairs and both represent the first steps in two new generations at the very leading edge of the sport.

PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan reports on these – and considers whether there may be a late entry into the 38th America's Cup.

Interviews

Dave Endean on Alinghi’s start-up mode for AC38 campaign

I check-in with Tudor Team Alinghi’s director for technical and sailing, New Zealand America’s Cup veteran Dave Endean – the man in charge of making sure that in AC38 the Swiss syndicate improves on its somewhat lacklustre performance in the last Cup in Barcelona.

By Justin Chisholm

— Apr 25, 2026