2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta - Day 2
by Long Beach Yacht Club 14 Jul 2025 19:44 BST
12-20 July 2025
The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue.
After a lighter wind day on Saturday that tested sailors' finesse and patience, today brought steady southwest winds in the 12-15 kt range. By the afternoon, the breeze continued to build further, with gusts reaching 18 kts as the foiling kites launched into action. The consistent pressure provided ideal conditions for speed, tactics, and thrilling displays across all Olympic classes on the water.
The five Olympic classes competing in the first phase of the regatta, which continues through Tuesday, 15 July, include 470s, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Women's Formula Kite, and Men's Formula Kite.
Spectators and recreational kiteboarders on the beaches in Belmont Shore mixed it up with Olympic medalists and world champions during the spectacular show on the Formula Kite course today. Later in the afternoon, the K flag was displayed by Course Race Officer Bill Stump, which signals an opportunity for competitors to change their equipment due to building wind speeds. Most began the day with the lighter wind 21m kites, but as breeze built many opted to switch to the 15m kites preferred for stronger winds to enable faster turning and greater maneuverability.
Similar to the Tour DeFrance, the top three competitors in each class wear Gold, Silver & Bronze bibs to signify their positions on the leaderboard. In the Women's Formula Kite division, Jessie Kampman/NED98 will wear Gold, Si Want/CHN 71 the Silver and Wan LI/CHN68 will wear Bronze. In the Men's division, Toni Vodisek/SLO55 will wear the Gold, Kameron Maramenidis/GRE37 the Silver, and Vojtecch Kosda/CZE1 the Bronze. "The top five are battling for every inch!" exclaimed Noah Runciman. The competition continues Monday and Tuesday off Belmont Pier.
The 470s were given an inside course today, with Course Race Officer Wendy Corzine opting to test the proximity to the beach with fair winds in the 10-13 kt range. The competitors turned on the kinetics and the top two are now within 1 point, with Nicole Barnes and Ryan Squire leading Justin Callahan and Lara Dallman-Weiss.
Meanwhile with winds peaking to 14-15 kts, Men's ILCA 7 and Women's ILCA 6 athletes had perfect sailing conditions and with very competitive starts.
In the Women's ILCA 6, GBR's Hannah Snellgrove will wear the Gold bib tomorrow, Ireland's Eve McMahon will wear Silver and Swiss Maud Jayet will wear Bronze. But the top 10 will battle for positions, and among them is USA Charlotte Rose who climbed to 8th after placing in the 20s on day. Rose turned it on leaning into the wind and waves with two 4ths and a 5th today.
Meanwhile, the Aussie trio of Elyse Ainsworth, Mara Stransky and Zoe Thomson sit in 9th, 10th and 11th. Great training partners, rivals and friends, they too will keep fighting to climb the leaderboard in this intense competition.
In the ILCA 7 class, New Zealand's George Gautrey with 24 points sits at the top of a very tight race amongst the top five, which includes GBR Elliot Hanson, 25 points, GBR Michael Beckett with 27 points, GBR Sam Whaley with 32 points and CYP Pavlos Kontides with 34 points. Racing continues through Tuesday, 15 July.