All you need to know about the 2025 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championship

What’s on and Where is the Fleet

The 2025 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 World Championships is on from October 7-12, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. This is the fleets first visit to Sardinia and the monthlong preparations have been impeccable. Crystal clear waters, fantastic winds and temperatures of the air and the sea above 20 degrees have made the hard work a comple

The champs are back from past quads and SailGP

There are so many champs headlining the returnees to the fleet. But will they be able to contend with the teams who have been pushing all year to move their sailing into the elite level for LA?

Three of the twelve sail GP skippers jetted over from the Cadiz GP last weekend: Diego Botin (ESP), Martine Grael (BRA), and Seb Scheiter (SUI). The trio caught early morning flights and then completed measurement on Day 0, but are ready to race. Martine, is fresh off of winning the final fleet race of the SailGP and Florian remains in contention to get into the SailGP winners circle again this year the Spanish team are sitting in 4th overall, but within reach of the top 3.

The Dads are Back

Only two teams won 49er World Champions in the last quadrennial. Bart Lambriex with Floris van de Werken (NED) won three world championships and then Erwan Fischer with Clement Pequin won the 2024 Worlds. Both helms took time out while their partners had babies and are now returning to racing.

More Medalists

Issac McHardie with William McKenzie are back for the first time since winning their silver medals in Paris. They too took a break but have been tuning up with a very hot New Zealand squad featuring 2025 European champions Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush and 2024 Moth World Champion Mattias Coutts with 49er veteran Oscar Gunn.

2008 Gold medalist Jonas Warrer (DEN) has returned again to the fleet, and he’s as motivated as ever to become the first ever 49er double gold medalist. He’s part of a Danish team’s aim of reviving their support for the past heros as part of their current national strategy.

Jena Seaton (formerly Jena Mai Hansen)(DEN) is back racing for the first time since her bronze medal performance in Rio 2016. She’s had two children and been coaching, but decided to move back into racing.

Martine Grael with Kahena Kunze (BRA) are back after a break since Paris. The gold medal pair from 2016 and 2020 are very busy with their Sail GP schedule but are the golden standard in the 49erFX despite little chance to train so far this year.

Vilma Bobeck (SWE) also is returning to action for the first time since her silver medal performance in Paris. The 2023 World Champion has been awaiting a decision from former crew Rebecca Netzler about whether to continue. Rebecca recently announced her retirement, and Vilma has teamed up with Ebba Bernsston in recent months.

There are many more teams in contention here in Cagliari, and the fleets are incredibly deep. These classes remain the stepping stones to elite pro racing, and everyone here knows it and is aiming for greatness, now and later.

Here are some features about a few teams.

Erwin Fischer and Clement Péquin

The French duo are arriving in Cagliari as the defending World Champions, after claiming the 2024 title in Lanzarote with a day to spare—an incredible show of dominance.

Since their comeback after the Olympics, Fischer & Pequin have been unstoppable. They kicked off the season by winning the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma de Mallorca, then took a short pause when Erwan became a father to his newborn daughter, Lou.

While Erwan was away, Clément kept sharp by training with Erwan’s brother, Kevin—ensuring the team’s edge never dulled. And when the pair reunited in Kiel for their first event back, they didn’t just return; they won the gold medal outright.

That means Fischer & Pequin have won every regatta they’ve sailed together since their return. With that kind of momentum, all eyes will be on them in Cagliari as they aim to defend their world title.

Diego Botin and Florian Trittel

Fresh from winning Olympic gold in Paris 2024, Diego Botín and Florian Trittel are set to make their return to the 49er.

Although they took a break from the class, they never lost touch with high-level racing, keeping sharp in SailGP and showing the same teamwork that has earned them plenty of podiums over the years.

By staying active together, their bond as a team remains strong, and getting back into the 49er will feel almost like riding a bike. They’ve already restarted training in Spain alongside other top crews, proving they can’t resist the thrill of the skiff.

They may arrive without sky-high expectations, but as Olympic champions with a proven track record of medals, you can be sure the spotlight will follow them in Cagliari.

Georgia and Antonia Lewin Lafrance

Canada’s sister duo Georgia and Antonia Lewin Lafrance are iconic in the 49erFX class, having won the first 49erFX race at the Paris Olympics. Since then, they’ve been on fire, racking up podium after podium and proving themselves as a team to watch.

Their track record speaks volumes: 8th at the 2024 Worlds, 8th at the 2024 Europeans, Open European Champions this year, plus bronze medals at Kiel Week and the French Olympic Week, and a top 10 in Palma.

Unlike many others who took a longer break after the Olympics, the sisters have been training full-on, sharpening their skills and teamwork.

Their bond as sisters is undeniable, and their consistent form shows they are more than capable of winning events and making the podium. With such momentum, expect them to be a force to be reckoned with in Cagliari.

Freya Black and Saskia Tidey

British Olympians from Paris 2024, Freya Black and Saskia Tidey are coming off a stellar season. They’ve already shown they’re back in top form, winning the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma de Mallorca and Kiel Week this year—a statement of their strength and a fantastic comeback after the Olympics.

This summer, they’ve been training intensively in Lake Garda, Italy, alongside top Italian crews, keeping their skills sharp and competitive edge honed.

They are capable of winning events and making the podium, as they proved with bronze at the 2024 Europeans in La Grande-Motte, and after such a strong season, Black & Tidey are certainly on fire and one of the teams to watch in Cagliari.

Mateo Majdalani and Eugenia Bosco

Olympic silver medalists from Paris 2024, Mateo Majdalani and Eugenia Bosco are one of the fastest teams in the Nacra 17 fleet.

Mateo, recently appointed Nacra 17 class president and a new father, and Eugenia, aiming to become World Champion, form a powerhouse team on the water.

After taking a post-Olympics break to focus on personal life and enjoy a taste of normalcy, they returned strong.

Despite minimal training, they finished 4th at the 2025 Europeans, narrowly missing bronze, and 4th at the 2024 Worlds, adding to their impressive record that includes gold at the 2023 Pan American Games.

With their speed, skill, and determination, Majdalani & Bosco are more than capable of winning events and making the podium, making them the great contenders to watch in Cagliari.

Italy’s own Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei have long been right in the shadow of double Olympic champions Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti, but there’s never been any doubt about their consistency—they podium. Every. Single. Time.

As local experts who have trained extensively in Cagliari, they are the home-water threats. Their medal haul is impressive: World Championships – two silver, one bronze, European Championships – one silver, one bronze, U24 World Championships – three gold, and U23 European Championships – two gold.

We won’t even mention all the other podiums they’ve collected at countless other events. Despite all this, an overall senior World Championship title has eluded them… until now. With their determination and local knowledge, Ugolini & Giubilei are hungry, ready, and absolutely one of the teams to watch in Cagliari.

How to Follow the Race

Daily Tracking:
Follow every tack and gybe with live race tracking, available each day here:
👉 https://www.metasail.it/incoming/779/

🎥 Livestream Coverage:
Tune in for the Final Series and Medal Series from October 10–12, featuring full livestream coverage with the same acclaimed ALVAA Media crew that brought you the 2024 Worlds in Lanzarote. Expect epic drone footage, on-water cameras, detailed graphics, and live stats from the racecourse.

Our commentary team includes:

Andy Rice — veteran sailing journalist, commentator, and founder of SailJuice.com. With over 30 years in the sport, Andy has covered major regattas worldwide and brings deep insight into the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes.
Odile van Aanholt — reigning 49erFX World Champion and Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist with Annette Duetz. Taking a short break from racing to focus on her new family, Odile will add a champion’s perspective and insider knowledge to the broadcast.

💬 Join the Fun!
We’d love to see how you’re following the regatta! Send us videos or photos of your watch parties, tell us which team you’re cheering for, and we might feature your clips live during the broadcast.

📸 Free Editorial Images:
Low-resolution images from the 2025 World Championship are available for free editorial use here: 49er, FX & Nacra 17 Photos
⚠️ Editorial use only.
Please credit: © Sailing Energy
For high-resolution images, contact Jesús at Sailing Energy: 📧 jrenedo@sailingenergy.com

🎤 Media & Interviews:
For interview requests or special media inquiries:

Mirco – babinimirco@gmail.com
Adam – adam@aalvaa.com

📊 Results & Highlights:

🎥 For TV Stations & Media Outlets:
Federations, NOCs, and broadcasters can request tailored video footage and interviews in national languages by contacting:
📧 alexia.lahoud@49er.org