YachtRacing.tv - The Next Three Phases
Last month I wrote about what we learned in the first two phases of YachtRacing.tv and outlined phase 3 for 2026: helping you follow top one design events worldwide. In this email, I give you more detail about phase 3, and an early look at even more phases.
The Short Version: In addition to providing an easy way for fans to follow sailboat racing, YachtRacing.tv is launching a parallel effort to help our sport produce world class events.
Phase 3: Following Top One Design Events Worldwide
In the weeks ahead we will publish our event calendar for 2026. It will feature the top one design events including the world championships for the Finn, Etchells, J/70, Melges 24, J/24, Star and Moth. We want to grow this list to 20 or more events, so put your suggestions in the feedback form. Should we include the Olympic classes, the World Match Racing Tour, or European League events? We do not plan to produce the content for these events, but rather to promote the content others are producing and whenever possible encourage the event organizers to include good coverage in their event plans.
Phase 4: Work Together to Raise the Level
In March of 2026 we will publish the Regatta Organizers Guide to Race Management Technologies. We are working with New York Yacht Club, St Francis Yacht Club, and many of the providers of regatta management technology to produce a living document that regatta organizers can use to streamline their adoption of technology. If you would like to be involved in this project, sign up here. We want to be at the center of our sport where ideas go to be tested, written down, and shared. We believe this will raise the level at all events, make it easier to host events, make it more fun to participate in the events, and attract more people to our sport.
Phase 5: Better Living Through Data Exchange Standards
Later in 2026 we will be working with regatta management technology providers to build a data exchange standard that will enable systems to talk to each other. We are promoting the adoption of standards that will enable race organizers to pick products and services from a menu, and enable those services to share information with each other. We imagine a world where a competitor registers once and everything from logistics to charters, insurance, results, meals, photos, media, and even sponsorship is coordinated. These services all exist today, but are uncoordinated and require significant effort to deploy and use.
Phase 6: Good Numbers
While working with the top events (Phase 3), the top technology providers (Phase 4), and facilitating a data exchange standard (Phase 5), we will be in a position to measure the state of our sport and over time its rate of change. Sailors sometimes say that our sport is in decline. This may be true, but it is much more likely that we just don't know. And making improvements to help the sport to grow will be much easier when we have good numbers. If you know how many yacht clubs exist and how their total membership is changing -- send me an email. If you know how many people participate in the sport of sailboat racing and if the number is going up or down -- I would love to see the numbers. If you know how many one design classes have active memberships, and how many sailors participate, let's talk! We want to help measure our sport and facilitate growth with good numbers.
Pro Subscriptions
Finally, we are introducing a Pro Subscription to YachtRacing.tv. This paid subscription has offerings for founders, subscribers, and partners so that everyone can find a level that matches their involvement in our sport. We are not taking away anything you have been previously getting for free. Our coverage of sailboat racing events will continue to be free. The paid Pro subscription offer resource libraries, coordination between vendors, and forums. If you have ideas about features you would like to see in our Pro subscription, let us know.
Early Subscriber Discounts!
Early subscribers get discounts because our pro content still being created. If you sign up for a pro subscription before December 31, 2025, use 1MONTHFREE to get the first month free on a monthly subscription, or LAUNCH50 to get 50% off your first year.