Giving the host nation a huge boost just months before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Erwan Fischer and Clément Pequin of France emerged victorious in the 49er World Championships held in Lanzarote on Sunday (10 March).
Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz of the Netherlands won the women's 49erFX title.
After a disappointing week for both Irish crews in Lanzarote a final-race second place on Sunday for Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove was a welcome early season morale boost as Afloat reports here
On the final day of the championship, the sailors faced lighter breezes that were still sufficient for twin trapezing up and down the two-lap race course. In the Gold Fleet race, van Aanholt and Duetz had a chance to claim the world title for the Netherlands, but they could only manage 17th place, their worst result of the championship. This left the door open for the Swedes to potentially take gold for the second year in a row.
However, Erwan Fischer and Clément Pequin had no such problems in the men's 49er. They finished in first place in the Gold Fleet race and high-fived and hugged as they crossed the finish line. They had already won the regatta with a race to spare, becoming the first ever French team to win the 49er World Championship.
The final day brought many ups and downs for the sailors, and it was a thrilling event overall. The French and Dutch teams proved to be the strongest, showcasing their skills and determination to come out on top.
Final podium. 49er Worlds. Lanzarote 2024
- Erwan Fischer/Clément Pequin (FRA), 11+1+7+3+1+3+1+2+3+(18)+2+3+3+2+3+1+12=58
- Bart Lambriex/Floris van de Werken (NED), 5+4+1+7+4+1+1+1+(20)+16+3+20+4+1+7+17+4=96
- Diego Botín/Florian Trittel (ESP), 13+18+3+3+2+3+15+1+6+7+1+1+9+5+(20)+11+8=106
Final podium. 49erFX Worlds. Lanzarote 2024
- Odile van Aanholt/Annette Duetz (NED), 1+3+1+3+6+9+8+1+1+13+5+3+2+1+(17)+6=63
- Vilma Bobeck/Rebecca Netzler (SWE), 14+2+3+2+1+5+6+1+8+14+11+1+1+(22)+3+8=80
- Jana Germani/Giorgia Bertuzzi (ITA), 3+2+5+16+12+2+4+2+6+6+22+6+(25)+3+1+14=90