5.5 Metre World Championship opens in Sopot
by Robert Deaves 9 Jun 02:18 BST
9-13 June 2025
Marie Françoise XXII with Scandinavian Gold Cup © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
The 2025 5.5 Metre World Championship was opened in Sopot, Poland, on Sunday evening together with the prize-giving for the Scandinavian Gold Cup which was completed on Saturday.
During Sunday, registration and measurement were completed for the 20 teams from nine nations. The field contains five former world champions, including the holders Ku-Ring-Gai III (AUS 66 John Bacon, Edward Wright, Joost Houweling). The Scandinavian Gold Cup proved that racing in Sopot can be tricky, with the forecast showing some days ahead of very shifty offshore winds and some days of northerlies and sea breezes. It has all the hallmarks of a tough competition.
On Sunday evening Jürg Menzi, along with his crew on Marie-Françoise XXII (SUI 233) Jürgen Eiermann and Christof Wilke collected the Scandinavian Gold Cup for the third time in his career.
Class President, Louise Morton, Girls on Film (GBR 41) with crew Charlie Cumbley and Sam Haines also collected the President's Cup. The Cup was presented to the class by the Mayor of Sopot, Magdalena Czarzynska-Jachim who also officially opened the championship during Sunday's ceremony.
Racing for the 2025 World Championship is scheduled to get under way on Monday at 11.00 with a 10-race series concluding on Friday 13 June.
Results so far available here.
Photo gallery from opening available here.