Courtois Claims Fifth Consecutive Match Racing Title

21st September 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Pauline Courtois and her team celebrate their victory at the 2025 Women’s Match Racing World Championship in Chicago

In Chicago, Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink team have clinched their fifth consecutive Women’s Match Racing World Championship title. The French crew triumphed over New Zealand's Megan Thomson and her 2.0 Racing Team with a 2-1 victory in the final.

The championship featured 12 all-female teams from seven nations, competing fiercely over four days. Courtois, with teammates Maëlenn Lemaitre, Louise Acker, Sophie Faguet, and Laurane Mettraux, entered the event as the reigning champions.

The team dominated the qualifying round, finishing with ten wins and one loss to Sweden’s Anna Östling. They advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating the Dutch team skippered by Julia Aarsten 2-0.

In the semi-finals, Courtois faced a tough challenge from Australia’s Juliet Costanzo. After a narrow win in the final race, Courtois secured her place in the finals.

In a rematch of last year’s final, Courtois and Thomson battled again for the title. After winning the first match, Courtois faced a strong response from Thomson, which levelled the score at 1-1.

However, Thomson's two penalties in the decisive race allowed Courtois to cross the finish line first. "It’s just incredible to win again here in Chicago," Courtois stated. "This title is a huge accomplishment for us."

This year’s World Championship highlighted the growth and competitiveness of women’s match racing globally.

2025 World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship overall results

Published in Match Racing, Women in Sailing

Published in Match Racing

Tagged under

Match Racing

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