Category: Sailing

by Abhishek Shukla

Lorient Grand Large confirmed as host of 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship  

Lorient Grand Large, Yacht Club de France and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) will host the 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship as a fleet of Sun Fast 30 One Design takes to the water off the coast of Brittany in September 2024. 

The 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship will be a mixed event run jointly between three organisations, each bringing their expertise to deliver the event. Lorient Grand Large will assume the leadership role for the organising group, while RORC will deliver the race management and Yacht Club de France will bring their network of volunteers and control of the one-design rules. 

The agreement with World Sailing covers three World Championships, with the event moving to Cowes, on the Isle of Wight in 2025, and then to a venue to be confirmed in 2026. 

David Graham, World Sailing CEO, said, “Offshore racing is a priority in World Sailing’s ambitions to grow the sport globally. The explosive growth in Double Handed Offshore racing in recent years has been very exciting for the sport overall. The Sun Fast 30 One Design has the potential to be the ideal class to fulfil our goal of making the event accessible to amateurs, professionals, and a new generation of offshore racers from all over the world.  

“This is a really exciting event concept and, in time, it will make this part of the sport more accessible, sustainable and environmentally-friendly. My thanks go to the event partners, and the Oceanic and Offshore Committee under the leadership of Matt Allen for making this happen.” 

A collaboration between Jeanneau and Multiplast, the fleet of Sun Fast 30 One Design will be supplied by Cap Regatta. It is one of the first production model sailboats built from a recyclable resin, which highlights the latest developments in sustainable boat building. The Sun Fast 30 One Design is an affordable one design boat with confirmed worldwide orders of over 40 boats to be produced in 2024. It is comparable with the majority of double-handed boats around the globe, meaning it will be accessible to sailors already accustomed to double handed offshore racing. The selection of the boat and the event organisers was the result of a World Sailing tender process endorsed by the Oceanic and Offshore Committee as the expert World Sailing Committee. 

Lorient Grand Large has been a centre of excellence for competitive sailing since 1997. It is home to elite level teams in the Ultim, IMOCA and Ocean 50 classes, as well as the Mini 6.50, Figaro, Class40. The venue has hosted several major events in recent years, including The Ocean Race, Solitaire du Figaro, and the Retour à La Base.  

by Abhishek Shukla

World Sailing appoints new Head of International Development 

World Sailing has appointed experienced sports administration professional Fiona Kidd as its new Head of International Development.  

As World Sailing continues its commitment to developing the sport globally, Fiona’s appointment adds valuable experience in delivering impactful programs to enhance the support available to Member National Authorities and the international sailing community. 

In the role of Head of International Development, Fiona will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation and delivery of World Sailing’s mission to grow the sport and make sailing more accessible by securing funding for key projects, supporting and delivering training and development for sailors, coaches, race officials and regional development coordinators around the world.   

Kidd brings over 30 years of experience in sailing developing youth and senior classes, coaching development and sustainability programs, as well as organising major events. Her most recent role was as Secretary General of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), a position she held for over seven years. In this position, she led the IODA Executive Committee, managing a multi-stakeholder environment with global members in more than 110 countries and planning the daily operation of the world’s largest youth sailing class.  

She initiated the Recycled Optimist Parts and Equipment (ROPE), a peer-to-peer program to increase sustainability and social responsibility within the class with sailors donating Optimist equipment to sailors across the globe. Under Fiona’s guidance IODA is introducing the Optimus Coach Development Program to create more opportunities and provide a pathway for coaches within the class.  

Fiona has also served as Executive Secretary of ILCA North America and at World Sailing, was chair of the World Youth Sailing Championship Commitee from 2000-2012 and chair of the Women’s Forum from 2004-2012, and was the Sailing Sports Manager at the Toronto 2015 Pan/Para Pan American Games organising committee.  

David Graham, World Sailing CEO, said, “This is a very important appointment for World Sailing and her experience in delivering programs so closely aligned to our priorities will help to strengthen the sport in terms of sustainability and create more opportunities for people around the world at all levels.” 

“Fiona adds valuable insight that will help World Sailing build on our work in sustainability, Para Sailing and our ongoing objective to encourage more women and girls into sailing. Her experience in leadership roles brings a unique perspective from within the sport and will assist in engaging stakeholders and inspiring teams to achieve our shared strategic goals. She is a valuable asset to the international sailing community and we are all delighted to welcome her to the team at World Sailing.” 

Kidd, who starts in the role immediately, said, “Almost my entire professional career has been devoted to the development of the sport and to be joining World Sailing at such a pivotal time is an incredibly proud moment for me. I am looking forward to bringing my passion for youth development, equality, accessibility and sustainability to the federation to make a meaningful impact on sailing worldwide and for sailors around the world. 

“I have seen first hand how the sport can change people’s lives and have a positive impact on the community. It is my goal to work with the classes, clubs, our Members and committees to continue this mission and promote these core values for the benefit of the entire sport.”

by Abhishek Shukla

World Sailing confirms appointment of independent panel to oversee 2024 elections

World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, has confirmed the appointment of an independent World Sailing Election Panel to oversee the 2024 Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.  

The panel, comprising four independent legal and regulatory professionals, is tasked with ensuring the election process is transparent, fair and adheres to the guidelines stipulated in the World Sailing Constitution. 

The four appointees were confirmed in November at the 2023 World Sailing Annual Conference in Malaga, Spain.  

  • Margot Foster OLY (Chair) – Former lawyer with extensive governance experience in sport, Chair of World Athletics Election Oversight Panel, Vice President of Motorsport Australia, and 1984 Olympic medallist in rowing for Australia. 
  • Phil Cotton – Auditor with board level experience in public practice, sport, education and the voluntary sector, Chair of the World Sailing Audit Committee 
  • Niels Lindholm – Compliance & Risk Officer for World Athletics, and member of expert panels with the United Nations, the International Paralympic Committee, the World Badminton Federation, and the Fédération Française d’Athlétisme. 
  • Jon Napier – Lawyer and member of the World Athletics Election Oversight Panel, also serving on the legal consultative group for the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, the World Sailing Governance Reform Working Party, and World Sailing Racing Rules Committee. 

David Graham, World Sailing CEO, said, “The appointment of an independent World Sailing Election Panel is part of World Sailing’s commitment to good governance. This independent panel brings a strong range of expertise and will be in place to ensure robust and transparent processes in the 2024 elections.  

“The four individuals all bring extensive experience in risk and oversight positions within sport and the corporate world, and instil confidence that the highest standards will be maintained.” 

The World Sailing Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections will be held in-person at the 2024 World Sailing Annual Conference, scheduled for 4-9 November 2024

by Abhishek Shukla

Sailing: Brazilian duo claim gold to follow in footsteps of Grael and Kunze

Joana Faulhaber Tostes Antunes Gonçalves and Gabriela Vassel (BRA) sealed 420 female gold on home water as champions were decided at the Youth Sailing World Championships.
 
Gonçalves and Vassel followed in the footsteps of compatriots and two-time Olympic gold medallists Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, who won the same title 14 years ago in the same waters.
 
“We finished the race and they came up to us so that was really nice,” said Vassel. 
 
“We admire them so much, they’re amazing, and we are really happy to have accomplished the same as them.”
 
There was also plenty to celebrate for Poland and Italy, who both celebrated multiple gold medals.
 
Polish success came in the form of Stanisław Trepczyński in the iQFOiL male and Ewa Lewandowska and Julia Maria Żmudzińska in the 29er female.
 
Meanwhile, Italy continued on from the success of Quan Cardi and Mattia Tognocchi (ITA) on Thursday with victory for Mattia Cesana in the ILCA 6 male.
 
420 Female
 
Joana Faulhaber Tostes Antunes Gonçalves and Gabriela Vassel (BRA) sealed a gold medal on home water with back-to-back bullets.
 
The Brazilian pair entered the final day in the lead and secured top spot with victory in both of the final races to finish 22 points ahead of Maayan Shemesh and Emilie Louviot (ISR).
 
Maria Perello Mora and Marta Cardona Alcantara (ESP) finished second in both of the races on Friday but it was not enough to lift them onto the podium, with Kerkezou Iakovina and Giannouli Danai (GRE) holding onto bronze.
 
“We are really happy,” said Vassel. “We worked so hard to achieve this and it is an amazing accomplishment for us.”
 
iQFOiL Male
 
Stanisław Trepczyński (POL) sealed iQFOiL male gold in style, with three straight bullets to sign off the competition.
 
The Pole held a four-point advantage heading into the final day but ensured he would not be relying on anything but his own performance with victory in all three races.
 
It means he finished 14 points ahead of Leonardo Tomasini (ITA) and 35 ahead of bronze medallist Noé Garandeau (FRA).
 
The Frenchman held off the late challenge of Val Erzen (SLO), who just missed out on the podium in fourth despite coming second in all of Friday’s races.
 
“I am super happy,” said Trepczyński. 
 
“The weather was absolutely blasting, windy all the time.
 
“This is my last youth competition so this gives me motivation to fight for senior titles.”

29er Female
 
Ewa Lewandowska and Julia Maria Żmudzińska (POL) were crowned 29er female champions despite no racing taking place on Friday.
 
The Polish pair led from gun to tape in Brazil after an electric start to the competition saw them win the first five races, establishing a lead that they never relinquished.
 
Sarah Jannin and Fleur Babin (FRA) took silver after claiming bullets in four of the last five races, eventually finishing 10 points behind the winners.
 
Bronze went to Boróka and Szonja Fehér (HUN), who finished four points ahead of Malena Rüegge and Liv Wicki (SUI).
 
ILCA 6 Male
 
Mattia Cesana (ITA) clinched gold in the ILCA 6 male class with a third-place finish in the final race of the competition.

Cesana knew he was all but assured the top place on the podium if he could replicate his strong form from throughout the week, and the Italian duly delivered to take victory by 15 points from Luka Zabukovec (SLO).
 
The final bullet of the competition went to João Portes (POR) who continued the impressive form that has seen a late surge up the standings, with victory in the final race enough to clinch bronze for the Portuguese sailor.
 
Portes pipped Hidde Schraffordt (NED) to the final medal as the Dutchman finished sixth on Friday, with Erik Norlén (SWE) taking second in the final race to rise to fifth overall.

iQFOiL Female
 
Kristyna Pinosova (CZE) sealed iQFOiL female gold with a trio of second-place finishes in Buzios.
 
Pinosova led the way heading into the final day after climbing ahead of Carola Colasanto (ITA) on Thursday.
 
The Czech made no mistake in sealing victory with a set of consistent showings to end up 16 points clear of Lina Erzen (SLO) in silver and Darcey Shaw (GBR) in bronze.
 
Emma Viktoria Millend (EST) had the best individual day on the water on Friday, winning both of the first two races before Erzen took the final race of the day to pip Shaw by a point.
 
The Brit could only finish seventh in both of the final two races but was still able to hold off Colasanto for the final place on the podium.
 
ILCA 6 Female
 
Roos Wind (NED) produced her fourth consecutive bullet to win ILCA 6 female gold.
 
Wind finished just four points ahead of Emma Mattivi (ITA) and a further point in front of Sienna Wright (IRL) at the conclusion of a dramatically close competition.
 
It was that trio that comprised the top three finishers in the final race, with Wright finishing second ahead of Mattivi.
 
That proved enough for the Irish sailor to take the final podium spot ahead of Petra Marendic (CRO), who could only finish ninth in the final race of the competition.
 
Formula Kite Female
 
Derin Atakan was crowned Formula Kite female champion despite retiring from the only race of the day on Friday.
 
Atakan led throughout the week of competition and sealed gold after earning eight bullets across the four days of racing.
 
The Turkish sailor ended up three points ahead of Catalina Turienzo (ARG), who claimed victory in the final race with Ella Geiger (GBR) and Suofeiya Li (CHN) finishing second and third.
 
Turienzo comfortably took silver ahead of Mika Kafri (ISR) who finished 18 points behind in bronze.
 
29er Male/Mixed
 
Champions Hugo Revil and Karl Devaux signed off from the 29er male/mixed class with a bullet in the final race of the competition.
 
The French pair opened the day with a pair of second-place finishes to put themselves in a commanding position for gold, before completing with a sixth and a victory to finish in style en route to their second world title.
 
“It feels really good,” said Devaux. “The conditions were really good, strong wind which we really like: it’s so cool.”
 
It meant they finished 16 points ahead of Alex Demurtas and Giovanni Santi (ITA) who earned silver, while Ben O’Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain (IRL) claimed bronze.
 
Demurtas and Santi took the day’s opening bullet before Zeb van Dorst and Michiel Dam (NED) claimed victory in the day’s second and third races.
 
Nacra 15
 
Daniel and Nora Garcia de la Casa (ESP) clinched a dramatic victory in the Nacra 15 class, leapfrogging overnight leaders Cody Roe and Brooke Mertz (USA) in the final race.
 
The Spaniards finished third in the last race of the competition to finish two points ahead of their American rivals, who finished seventh to slip down to silver.
 
Both crews finished just ahead of Marie Mazuay and Clément Guignard (SUI), who earned bullets in both of the day’s races to rise to third overall and snatch bronze ahead of Côme Vic-Molinero and Ylona Jaud (FRA) by four points.
 
Formula Kite Male
 
Max Maeder claimed Formula Kite male gold after dominating the week of racing in Brazil.
 
Maeder won all but one of the 14 races to comfortably take top spot ahead of Qibin Huang (CHN), the only other sailor to win a race.
 
Huang finished 12 points behind Maeder after finishing second eight times, with Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) winning bronze.