2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championships at Dun Laoghaire, Ireland - Day 4
by Agustín Argüelles / ILCA 28 Aug 06:32 BST
22-29 August 2025
Gold fleet compresses while wind still rules the waves
On the first day of Gold fleet racing for the Men's event at the 2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championships today, the leaderboard tightened significantly, while in the Women's event a clear leader extended her advantage.
Edward Reid AUS opened the six-race Gold fleet series with a comfortable third place but then faltered, using his discard on a 16th-place finish.
That allowed Ole Schweckendiek GER to draw level on points with the leader and maintain his second overall, thanks to a fifth and a second on the day.
Like Reid, fourth-placed Issac Schotte AUS had a mixed day, discarding a 28th before posting a seventh.
"It was pretty tricky out there, another long day and pretty shifty with the wind coming off the hill(s)," said Isaac Schotte AUS, who trails the two leaders by eight points in third place. "A day to keep the head out of the boat... a couple of costly mistakes means it wasn't the best day on the water but plenty more racing to come."
His discard came from a costly mistake when he dropped his mainsheet shortly after the start, leading to a capsize. However, his strong boat speed allowed him to recover some ground.
Meanwhile, Reem Pulci Magen ISR was the day's standout performer, with a win and a fourth that propelled him up the leaderboard, putting pressure on the boats ahead going into the final four races.
Men's Under-21 - Provisional Top 5
- Edward Reid AUS - 17 pts
- Ole Schweckendiek GER - 17 pts
- Isaac Schotte AUS - 25 pts
- Reem Pulci Magen ISR - 34 pts
- Athanasios Kyfidis GRE - 37 pts
Men's Under-19 - Provisional Top 5
- Omer Vered Vilenchik ISR - 50 pts
- Adamantios Petrianos GRE - 69 pts
- Bartol Jocic CRO - 107 pts
- Daniel Gimenez Mesquida ESP - 120 pts
- Karol Krupski Teterycz ESP - 122 pts
In the ILCA 6 Women's series, now eight races in, Roos Wind NED continues to dominate. She has steadily extended her overall lead to 20 points ahead of her nearest challenger.
"The last race was fun, a really good battle between myself and Emma (Mattivi)," said Wind. "I have a nice lead which is always nice, but we still have two more days to come. I think it's important to keep sailing your own race, watch the wind and make your own decisions."
Mattivi won that race, which helped her consolidate second place ahead of third-placed Ginevra Caracciolo Di Brienza ITA, who had a consistent day with two eighths despite the shifty conditions.
"It was really difficult, but I had lots of fun and I did great so I'm happy," said Mattivi (ITA). "I have to protect the second place, but I really hope to reach the first position."
But can she catch Roos and overtake the class leader?
"She's really good and doing a wonderful week. I hope to get her but it's really difficult - we have to fight and push, push, push to the end!"
Women's Under-21 - Provisional Top 5
- Roos Wind NED - 12 pts
- Emma Mattivi ITA - 32 pts
- Ginevra Caracciolo Di Brienza ITA - 56 pts
- Isabella Mendoza Cabezas USA - 66 pts
- Evie Saunders AUS - 66 pts
After the strong winds earlier this week, conditions on Dublin Bay appear set to remain westerly, meaning more tricky racing ahead for both the men's and women's fleets.
Thursday will be the penultimate day of racing, with two further races scheduled to set the stage for Friday's finale.
The 2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championship is organised by the Royal St George Yacht Club, the National Yacht Club, and ILCA, with support from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Sport Ireland, XOcean, and Rooster Sailing.