SailGP stars take control of the 49er Worlds

Olympic and SailGP champions Diego Botin and Florian Trittel have returned to the skiff circuit, showcasing their dominance at the 2025 49er World Championship in Cagliari. After a commanding performance, the reigning SailGP champions have climbed to the top of the leaderboard, resembling the excellence of Max Verstappen’s recent GP3 run.

Despite their illustrious careers, the duo is still chasing their first 49er World Championship title, having placed as runners-up twice. A victory in Cagliari would solidify their legacy in the class, as winning the Worlds is essential for true immortality in 49er lore.

Defending champions Erwan Fischer and Clément Pequin faced setbacks, winning Race 11 but getting disqualified from Race 12 due to a false start, which could end their title hopes.

Racing conditions varied significantly, with early flukes shifting to gusts strong enough for double trapezing by the day’s end. Only Botin/Trittel and Wiebrand de Vos & Steingast managed three top-10 finishes, highlighting the day’s volatility.

Overnight leaders Jack Ferguson and Jack Hildebrand had a challenging day, finishing deep in their races. Nonetheless, they will remember their moment in yellow jerseys, which is a rare achievement for the young team.

Botin and Trittel’s return to the fleet serves as a reminder that pure racing, devoid of commercial pressures, retains its allure. Like Verstappen’s move to GP3, they demonstrate that sometimes, stepping down a level can be the most powerful statement of all.

In the 49erFX class, Vilma Bobeck and Ebba Berntsson (SWE) have extended their lead over the fleet despite only two races being possible amid challenging winds. Bobeck, the 2023 World Champion, has adapted well to her new partnership with Berntsson after the retirement of her previous crew.

Paolo Barcelo and Maria Cantero (ESP) are in third place overall, showing mixed results.

Meanwhile, at the Nacra 17 World Championship, local favourites Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei are leading, though they faced challenges from shifting winds. The competition is tight, with only 17 points separating the top seven teams as they head into the final races.

Day 5 promises to be just as thrilling, with the 49erFX featured on the broadcast racecourse.

For those wanting to follow the action, live race tracking is available, along with livestreams on YouTube featuring expert commentary. Fans can also access daily results and highlights through provided links.

Join the excitement by sharing your watch party videos and tagging @49ersailing and @nacra17 on social media!