2025 Fireball World Championship at Circolo Vela Arco - Day 1
by Elena Giolai 24 Aug 2025 22:23 BST
24-29 August 2025
The 2025 Fireball World Championship kicked off in record-breaking style, hosted by Circolo Vela Arco and running on the waters of Lake Garda - Trentino until Friday, 29 August.
This major international event will be followed in early September by the Italian Single-Handed Championships. A total of 136 boats from 14 nations are competing, the largest Fireball fleet ever assembled outside the Anglo-Saxon countries in the class's history.
The line-up features a wide range of sailors: Olympic athletes and world champions racing alongside amateurs who have seized the opportunity to combine their passion for sailing with a trip to Italy. It is a clear example of "sports tourism", very popular in Anglo-Saxon countries, and well embodied by the Fireball class, which offers a unique blend of competition and fun. Crews also reflect this diversity, with father-and-son duos, husband-and-wife teams, long-time friends, and a mix of ages and sailing backgrounds.
Great Britain leads the entries with 37 teams, followed by Italy with 21 boats. From as far away as Australia, an impressive 17 entries mark a record for the class outside the continent. Strong contingents also come from the Czech Republic and France (15 boats each), Ireland (10) and Switzerland (9), with additional teams from Canada, Belgium, Kenya, South Africa, Germany, Slovakia and Slovenia.
On the opening day, two races were completed as scheduled, sailed in southerly Ora winds of around 15 knots and above, with rain during the second race. The sight of all 136 boats lined up on an 800-metre start line was truly spectacular. On the water, the most experienced crews quickly took charge: DJ Edwards - Vyv Townend (GBR), already world champions, dominated with two clear wins. Close behind were the Swiss Yves Mermod - Maja Siegenthaler with scores of 2-3, followed by Australians Brendan Garner - Ben O'Brien (3-2), tied with the Swiss.
The reigning Italian champions opened solidly in 7th place, while Pietro D'Alì - Ariberto Strabino, with very limited experience in the Fireball, sit 11th overall. Among the Under 25 teams, Ireland's Daniel and Henry Thompson are leading the way.
Racing continues on Monday 25 August, with the first start scheduled at 13:00.