2025 Fireball World Championship at Circolo Vela Arco - Overall
by Elena Giolai 30 Aug 2025 08:14 BST
24-29 August 2025
The Fireball World Championship 2025 concluded on Friday, 29 August, hosted by Circolo Vela Arco (North Lake Garda, Italy), in what turned out to be a historic edition for both participation and the number of nations represented. With a Race Committee and Jury from the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), the event was managed with great expertise, interpreting the weather conditions and ensuring the maximum number of races possible.
This Worlds once again confirmed the vitality of the class, with 136 boats from 14 nations, featuring veterans and established champions racing alongside many young sailors and women, for a week that blended competition, friendship and enjoyment.
Racing and conditions
After three spectacular opening days with medium-strong southerly Ora winds, the championship also saw lighter and more variable conditions, including northerly breezes with flatter water on the final day. The fleet completed an opening race in light northerly winds, followed by the switch to the Ora, which settled after 14:00 and allowed a second and final race. In total, nine races were completed, under a wide range of conditions that gave every team the chance to perform according to their technical skills, weight and preparation.
The midweek lay day was not only an opportunity for rest, but also for tourism and camaraderie, with the social dinner bringing together sailors from all over the world.
The Fireball class
More than 60 years after its creation, the Fireball class continues to attract impressive numbers and a close-knit international community. This technical yet accessible dinghy, requiring fine rig adjustments and careful crew weight balance, continues to inspire both seasoned sailors and new generations. The Championship in Garda Trentino once again confirmed the appeal of this world-class racing venue, not only for its renowned wind conditions but also for the excellent organization and post-race activities that contributed to the event's success.
The podium and the Italians
From a sporting perspective, the week was dominated until the penultimate day by the former World Champions (Thailand 2000), the British DJ Edwards - Vyv Townend. But the Swiss Olympians in the 470 mixed, Yves Mermod - Maja Siegenthaler, with a 2-1 on the final day, managed a decisive overtake, securing the overall title as well as finishing as the top mixed crew. The final races, sailed in light and tactical conditions, proved crucial: thanks to the two discards, the Swiss pair never placed worse than third. Credit also to the British, who defended their lead until the very last leg.
Climbing to the third step of the podium was multiple Fireball World Champion (six titles) and winner of the last edition, Britain's Thomas Gillard with crew Shandy, delivering a strong finish.
Excellent performance from the Italians Paolo Brescia - Filippo Vulcanile (Yacht Club Italiano), veterans of the class and 12-time Italian Champions, who after moving close to the podium on Thursday eventually closed in 10th place overall, staying in the top ten and ensuring an Italian team among the awardees.
Here is their comment:
"It was a very challenging championship, not only because of the large number of participants but also for the very high competitive level. For us, finishing in the overall top ten was an excellent result, considering it was our first World Championship together. The Swiss Olympians Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler showed great tenacity in managing very difficult conditions at times, and the British DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend pushed us all the way. The other British pair, Tom Gillard and Shandy, only emerged at the end, climbing onto the podium as well. On the first day we took some time to get into phase, but then we managed to find our groove, climbing the standings up to seventh place. Unfortunately, a bad start in the last race forced us into a huge comeback, but it was not enough to keep our position. In our opinion, the true moral winner of the event was Pietro D'Alì, also sailing for Yacht Club Italiano with Ariberto Strobino. After a strong start to the championship, they broke their mast and lost two races. Nevertheless, they showed real seamanship and determination, reassembling the mast from two broken sections and returning to the water the very next day, never giving up. They have our full admiration."
Also on the podium: the Italians Benedetta Franco and Maddalena Cavallo, first female U25 crew; the Irish brothers Daniel and Henry Thompson, leaders of the Under 25 category from the start; the British David Hall and Paul Constable, winners of the Over 125 category; fellow Britons Bee Nee and Tom Ahlheid, winners of the "Classic World Champions Trophy" (mixed crew with female helm and Under 25); and the Australians Peter and Jennifer Russell, recipients of the "Perseverance Trophy."
From next week, Circolo Vela Arco, together with the clubs of the Consorzio Garda Trentino Vela, will host the FIV Italian Single-Handed Championships - Kinder Joy of Moving, before tackling the final World Championship of the season, once again with exceptional numbers: the OK Dinghy World Championship, with well over 200 entries from 17 nations.