Youngblood wins M32 Season Title

Miles Julien’s Youngblood clinched the 2026 M32 Miami Winter Series title following a nail-biting finale against his brother Charlie Julien’s Rated X, with just a two-point margin. This significant showdown unfolded on Biscayne Bay, where Youngblood secured the championship by finishing ahead in the last race, earning the prestigious M32 Rooster Trophy.

Throughout the season, Youngblood amassed 55 points, narrowly surpassing Rated X, which finished with 53 points. Cy Thomson’s Tuuci rounded off the podium with 50 points. Miles, competing in his fourth Miami Winter Series, achieved his first series title after showcasing consistent performance across the series, including a victory in January and second-place finishes in the subsequent months.

“This is my first series win,” said Miles. “It’s been a long road through my fourth Miami Winter Series, and all my team has put in a fantastic effort. It’s great to finally get a result like this.”

The family rivalry has been a focal point of the season, especially after Charlie’s victory in the previous summer’s Newport Series. The dynamics of racing between the three Julien brothers, along with their father Bobby Julien’s Dingbat finishing fourth in the standings, intensifies the ongoing competition.

In the final April event, Ryan McKillen’s Surge excelled, leading throughout the three-day competition and ultimately securing the top spot. Tuuci and Rated X finished in second and third, respectively. McKillen’s team displayed outstanding teamwork, particularly noteworthy was Ian “Pallets” Iles-Lee stepping up to helm the Surge on the final day after McKillen was absent, showcasing an impressive performance that included a race victory.

The concluding event of the series featured the Sandbar Cup, a distance race around Biscayne Bay. Surge finished first in the race, further solidifying their strong showing in the series.

The M32 class is also deeply embedded in the community, with initiatives such as Youth Night at Shake-A-Leg Miami, where young sailors interacted with professional M32 sailors. This effort aims to inspire the next generation about sailing and showcases the journeys possible from junior sailing to professional levels.

As the M32 fleet prepares for the next season, attention will shift to the upcoming Newport racing season, commencing on June 6 with various prestigious events lined up, including the M32 World Championship at the season’s end.

The 2026 M32 season has set the stage for further competition, rivalry, and community engagement as it transitions from Miami to new venues.