From 28–31 August, the 12-strong fleet of high-performance one-design owner-driver RC44s will compete for their 2025 World Championship title in the heart of Dutch sailing: Scheveningen, The Hague.
Known for its vibrant sailing culture, challenging tides, and shifting sandbanks, Scheveningen is home to the North Sea Regatta and hosted the Sailing World Championships in 2023. This year’s RC44 World Championship is hosted by Nico Poons of Charisma, the 44Cup’s 2022 and 2023 champion. Poons, currently second in the overall standings after three events, recalls starting his racing career at 16 in these waters. He remains optimistic about the conditions: “We should have good breeze, around 12 to 15 knots. The Jachtclub Scheveningen is a lovely floating clubhouse, and I’m looking forward to hosting the owners’ dinner and a party for the crews.”
Leading the 2025 44Cup Tour is Team Nika, helmed by Vladimir Prosikhin and tactician Nic Asher. Known for their success, Team Nika is the only crew to have won three consecutive World Championship titles (Cascais 2015, Marstrand 2017, and Cascais 2018). Asher is familiar with Scheveningen’s unpredictable conditions, recalling: “It’s like the Solent in the UK, with lots of current and choppy waters if we get wind against tide.”
The RC44’s innovative design allows it to be transported efficiently, expanding its reach to new venues. Among the new entrants is Dutch entry Warp 5, owned by Jan Scholtes, who made their debut in Marstrand. Scholtes commented on their first experience: “Surfing the big swell was fantastic. The boat handled much better than I expected, and now with one event of experience, we feel better equipped for the Worlds.”
2025 44CUP OVERALL RESULTS: (after three events)
1. Team Nika (MON10) 3 1 1 – 5
2. Team Charisma (MON69) 1 4 3 – 8
3. Aleph Racing (FRA17) 2 8 2 – 12
4. GeMera Racing (SWE30) 8 3 4 – 15
5. Artemis Racing (SEW44) 6 2 8 – 16
6. Peninsula Racing (GBR18) 7 6 5 – 18
7. Team CEEREF Vaider (SLO11) 4 9 6 – 19
8. Team Aqua (GBR2041) 5 7 9 – 21
9. Black Star Sailing Team (SUI27) 11DNC 5 7 – 23
10. Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team (ESP1) 9 10 10 – 29
11. WOW! Sailing Team (TUR4425) 11DNC 11 11 – 33
12. Warp 5 (NED20) 11DNC 13DNC 12 – 36
Follow the 44Cup here
Tags: #44Cup #SailingNews #AustralianSailing #RC44 #Scheveningen #SailingChampionships
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