Record-Breaking 29er European Championship Closes in Style at Lake Garda
by International 29er Class 9 Jul 2025 09:14 BST
2-8 July 2025
More than 250 teams, 29 nations, six days of varied racing, and a fleet of young athletes pushing high-performance sailing to the next level. The 2025 29er European Championship, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva, has officially wrapped — leaving behind new champions, unforgettable memories, and a legacy as the largest European Championship in class history.
The Final Day: Early Starts and Last Shots
By 6:00 AM, the boat park was alive — sails being hoisted, boats polished, final strategy briefings whispered between teammates and coaches. With a promising Garda breeze filling in, the Gold and Silver Fleets launched first, and racing got under way at 7:30 AM sharp.
In the Gold Fleet, it was all to play for. With several boats still mathematically in contention for the podium, tension was sky-high. Race after race, positions shifted. The final race of the day was snatched by Puerto Rico's Diego Power / Izabella Calzadilla, a newly formed team racing their first major international event together. Izabella, who only started sailing the 29er six months ago, showed remarkable talent as they secured second place in the Open Mixed Division — and a top-20 overall finish.
Overall Champions
But the ultimate spotlight belonged to Germany's Lucas Hamm / Moritz Hamm. Calm, consistent, and lightning-fast, the twin brothers sealed their victory with a strong final day and nervy wait through protest hearings. When the dust settled, they were crowned 2025 European Champions.
"We asked them a few days ago what they'd do if they won — they said, 'Celebrate hard.'" We'll find out tonight at Winds Bar.
This regatta also marked the final 29er championship for the Hamm brothers, who now shift focus to the 49erFX, beginning their transition with training and competition at Gdynia Sailing Days.
In second place overall were the French Nolann Huet Des Aunay and Titouan Gresset, while the Swiss Ikke Huber and Liam Berger took 3rd place. Congratulations!
Category Battles: Mixed, Women, and Youth Shine
In the Mixed Division, Italy's Giulia Bartolozzi / Pietro Rizzi delivered under pressure, with a stellar final day — finishing 6th, 5th, and 12th in the last three races — enough to clinch the Mixed Open European Title and finish inside the top 10 overall.
Among the Women, Poland's Antonina Puchowska / Alicjia Dampc raced confidently, smiling ashore after believing they had done enough to win. A late protest temporarily cast doubt, but in the end, they were confirmed as the top female team, taking the Open Female European Title and finishing an impressive 23rd overall.
Boróka Fehér and Szonja Fehér from Hungary were second female team, while Annie Sitzmann and Molly Bonham from the United States took impressive third place. France's Pétronille Lescanne and Raphaëlle Kimbel (an U17 team), took 3rd place in the European Female Ranking.
The top Under-17 divisions saw the next generation shine, with France and Poland splitting honours. The top Open European Division U17 title went to New Zealand's Ewan Brazle / Toby Clark, who impressed with their composure and competitiveness all week.
Nations Cup Victory
After six days of tight racing across five fleets, the Nations Cup went to France, recognising their depth and excellence throughout the championship.
A Championship with Character
This week sailors dealt with Garda at its finest—and trickiest. There were epic breezes and long Ora days, but also weather delays, storm hold-offs, and patient waiting. And yet, every team rose to the occasion. From confident race winners to first-time internationals, the entire fleet showed what it means to sail 29ers: fast, focused, and full of spirit.
Sailors embraced the event beyond the racecourse too — taking part in media interviews, sustainability projects and learning more about their boats. The Kidzink Eco-Education Initiative brought creative, hands-on learning to the dock, connecting youth sailing with a broader purpose.
Gratitude & Community
The International 29er Class Association extends heartfelt thanks to the coaches, onshore teams, and support staff who kept these young athletes ready and racing. To the parents, supporters, and volunteers — your belief and energy fuels this class. And of course, to Fraglia Vela Riva, thank you for hosting this championship.
A special thank you to Kidzink, our headline sponsor, for not just supporting youth sailing, but for leading the way in blending education with high-performance sport in creative and meaningful ways.
Awards and Results
With so many exceptional sailors gathered in one room, the energy was electric and the sense of community was unmistakable. Athletes celebrated each other's achievements, showing true sportsmanship and unity.
From start to finish, the event showcased not just competition, but camaraderie — a powerful reminder of what makes the sailing world so special. One thing's certain: the future of sailing is fast, fearless, and full of talent. Congratulations to each and every sailor for this championship and special mentions to the award winners below.
Overall Results: (top ten)
1 Germany - Lucas Hamm / Moritz Hamm - 58 pts
2 France - Nolann Huet Des Aunay / Titouan Gresset - 67 pts
3 Switzerland - Ikke Huber / Liam Berger - 77 pts
4 France - Jocelyn Le Goff / Jules Vidor - 77 pts
5 Italy - Giuseppe Montesano / Enrico Coslovich - 79 pts
6 Norway - Nicklas Holt / Philip Forslund - 86 pts
7 Hungary - Mór Csekovszky / Martin István Zarandy - 88 pts
8 Italy - Giulia Bartolozzi / Pietro Rizzi - 104 pts
9 Germany - Tizian Lembeck / Julian Lembeck - 106 pts
10 Poland - Szymon Kolka / Bartosz Zmudzinski - 107 pts
Top 3 Male Teams
1 Germany - Lucas Hamm / Moritz Hamm
2 France - Nolann Huet Des Aunay / Titouan Gresset
3 Switzerland - Ikke Huber / Liam Berger
Top 3 Open European Female Teams
1 Poland - Antonina Puchowska / Alicjia Dampc
2 Hungary - Boróka Fehér / Szonja Fehér
3 USA - Annie Sitzmann / Molly Bonham
Top 3 European Female Teams
1 Poland - Antonina Puchowska / Alicjia Dampc
2 Hungary - Boróka Fehér / Szonja Fehér
3 France - Pétronille Lescanne / Raphaëlle Kimbel
Top 3 Open Mixed Teams
1 Italy - Giulia Bartolozzi / Pietro Rizzi
2 Puerto Rico - Isabella Calzadilla / Diego Power
3 Sweden - Selma Hard / Lukas Wolfgang
Top 3 Mixed Teams
1 Italy - Giulia Bartolozzi / Pietro Rizzi
2 Sweden - Selma Hard / Lukas Wolfgang
3 Switzerland - Anna Bruengger / Theo Kowalewsky
Over 18 Overall Winner
1 Sweden - Alex Olsson / David Alduren
U17 Open Champions
Male: New Zealand - Ewan Brazle / Toby Clark
Female:France - Lescanne / Kimbel
Mixed: Poland - Micewicz / Reszka
U17 European Champions
Male: France - Bourrust / Neau
Female: France - Lescanne / Kimbel
Mixed: Poland - Micewicz / Reszka
Nations Cup Winner
France
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