Three first-time world champions were crowned at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships in Quiberon, France, after a dramatic final day of medal racing. Light and unpredictable conditions on Quiberon Bay produced tense finishes across all three Olympic classes.
In the women’s 49erFX skiff, Norway’s Pia Dahl Andersen and Nora Edland claimed gold by the narrowest of margins. The pair won the final race, finishing level on points with defending champions Paula Barceló and Maria Cantero of Spain.
The Norwegians secured the title on countback after their race win. Poland’s Aleksandra Melzacka and Sandra Jankowiak completed the podium in bronze.
The men’s 49er title went to New Zealand’s Sam Menzies and George Lee Rush after a nervy finish to the regatta.
The young Kiwi crew appeared comfortable after winning the opening finals race, but a poor start in the deciding race left them vulnerable to challengers from Austria, the Netherlands and Germany. Despite dropping back early, the New Zealanders found fresh pressure on the final downwind leg to recover enough places and hold onto gold. Austria’s Keanu Prettner and Jakob Flachberger took silver, while Dutch sailors Bart Lambriex and Floris van de Werken won bronze.
Kiwi Comeback — New Zealand’s Sam Menzies and George Lee Rush celebrate after winning the 49er world title in dramatic fashion at Quiberon Bay
In the Nacra 17 catamaran, Italy’s Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei secured their first world title after 12 years campaigning together.
The Italians briefly looked in trouble after restarting for an apparent premature start. However, they fought back through the fleet in difficult foiling conditions to seal victory. French duo Tim Mourniac and Aloise Retornaz delighted the home crowd with silver. Britain’s defending world champions, John Gimson and Anna Burnet, finished third. Australia’s Archie Gargett and Sarah Hoffman produced one of the performances of the day, climbing from ninth overall to fourth with race scores of first and second.
Italian Glory — Italy’s Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei celebrate their Nacra 17 world title alongside French silver medallists Tim Mourniac and Aloise Retornaz at Quiberon
Class Manager Ben Remocker praised organisers after a demanding week of racing. “The race committee did a great job this week in challenging conditions,” he said. “They delivered a world-class regatta.”
The championship featured six days of racing in conditions ranging from strong winds and heavy seas to unstable light airs. Attention now turns to the European Championships in Eckernförde, Germany, later this summer.
