The 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships at Pittwater have been a showcase of skill, determination, and the unpredictable nature of sailing. On Day 4 of the competition, the Hansa 303 One-Person fleet was the only class racing, while other classes enjoyed a lay day. Despite gloomy skies and sporadic sunshine, three races were successfully run, bringing the total to six races completed, with three more scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Leading the charge is Gauthier Bril from France, who has proven to be the sailor to beat, boasting an impressive record of four wins and two second-place finishes across the six races. “I need to try harder, I’m here to do my best,” Bril remarked, emphasizing his competitive spirit despite his current dominance. His closest competitor, Piotr Cichocki from Poland, is just one point behind, while Germany's Jens Kroker has made his presence known, sitting four points off the lead with a total of ten points.
Kroker, who has an illustrious background as a Paralympic sailor, expressed the challenges of racing in shifting winds: “It was a very intense and challenging day on the water, because it was very, very shifty. You had to go with shifts, but keep looking at the bigger picture at the same time.” His performance has been commendable, scoring 2-1-5 results. He noted, “I was able to move up. A lot of the sailors were moving up and down quite a bit.”
As the top sailors prepare for Sunday’s races, they will be divided into Gold and Silver fleets, with three races planned for each. The forecast for the day suggests potentially challenging conditions, with gusts expected to reach up to 30 knots. “They might start us two hours early,” Kroker said, highlighting the unpredictability of the weather and the race schedule.
Meanwhile, on Day 5 of the championships, competitors faced an entirely different set of challenges. The weather turned grim, bringing heavy rain, cold temperatures, and swirling light air. Only one race was held for two classes, and four new world champions were declared. In a dramatic turn of events, Rory McKinna (GBR) and Jess Wong claimed victory in the Hansa 303 Two-Person Worlds, edging out Chris Symonds and Maunela Klinger (AUS) and Piotr Cichocki and Olga Górnas-Grudzien (POL), who had a penalty from the previous day that cost them the title.
McKinna, who was sailing in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, expressed his surprise at winning, stating, “I wasn’t expecting to win. I never even envisaged winning the Two Person; I’ve always been a singles sailor.” His partnership with Wong, a newcomer to Hansa sailing, blossomed quickly, with Wong noting, “I felt comfortable with him straight away.”
In the SKUD18 class, Daniel Fitzgibbon and Chris Somers (AUS) dominated the competition, winning all seven races to secure their championship title. Fitzgibbon, a seasoned Paralympic sailor with two gold medals and one silver, reflected on the day’s conditions: “Rainy, light and shifty. Very unusual conditions - a south-wester. It was about sailing in pressure and you couldn’t always find it.”
Fitzgibbon praised the camaraderie and organization of the event, noting, “It’s been enjoyable sailing here. I’m just so happy to come back into sailing and see old friends.”
In the Hansa 2.3 class, Yui Fujimoto (JPN) emerged as the new world champion, showcasing remarkable consistency with four wins, a second, and a third place finish. Daisuke Zenju and Koji Harada rounded out the podium in this competitive class.
Meanwhile, the Liberty class saw Yuen Wai Foo (HKG) take the championship title on countback against Charles Weatherly (AUS), with Vera Voorbach (NED) finishing in third place, just one point behind the leaders. The fluctuating leaderboard in the Liberty class highlighted the competitive spirit of the event.
As the championships continue, the only class scheduled to race on Saturday, March 29, 2025, is the Hansa 303 One-Person, pending weather conditions. Race Officer Lou Hutton emphasized the challenges faced in the unpredictable weather, stating, “We had to consider the competitors in the cold and rain and decided they should come in.”
The 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships have brought together 16 nations, showcasing the best of sailing talent from around the globe. The event not only celebrates the sport but also highlights the importance of inclusivity and community, as noted by Jens Kroker, who praised the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for its outstanding example of inclusion.
As the closing ceremony approaches, anticipation builds for the final races, where the best sailors will vie for the championship titles in their respective classes. With the unpredictable weather and fierce competition, it’s clear that the spirit of sailing shines brightly at Pittwater.
With the final races set to take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the championships. The excitement is palpable as sailors prepare to battle the elements and each other for glory on the water.
