Top 3 Thrilling Sailing Races to Watch This Season

Major sailing races differ in boat type, course, crew format and viewing experience. Event organizers remain the authoritative source for current dates, entries and broadcast information.

1. The America’s Cup

The oldest trophy in international sport, the America’s Cup represents the pinnacle of yacht racing technology and tactics. Teams from different nations compete in high-performance foiling boats that fly above the water at remarkable speeds. The competition combines naval architecture, engineering innovation, and world-class sailing talent. Watching an America’s Cup match is like seeing Formula 1 on water – the boats are extraordinary, the stakes are massive, and the sailing is precision-perfect.

2. The Ocean Race (formerly Volvo Ocean Race)

If you want to see endurance sailing at its most demanding, the Ocean Race delivers. Teams sail identical boats around the world over eight to nine months, covering roughly 45,000 nautical miles through some of the planet’s most challenging waters. The Southern Ocean legs test crews against freezing conditions, massive waves, and isolation from rescue. I’ve talked with sailors who’ve completed this race, and their stories are humbling. It’s a marathon that demands everything from every crew member.

3. The Vendee Globe

Probably should have led with this, because nothing in sailing compares to the Vendee Globe for sheer audacity. It’s a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation. One person, one boat, no outside help, around the entire planet. The race happens every four years and attracts sailors willing to spend months alone at sea, facing whatever conditions the ocean delivers. Finishers become legends in the sailing community. That’s what makes the Vendee Globe so endearing to us who follow the sport – it represents the ultimate test of seamanship and self-reliance.

Whether you’re a sailor yourself or appreciate excellence in any field, these races showcase human achievement on the water. Following them – even from shore – provides appreciation for what’s possible when skill, technology, and determination combine.