Offshore Double Handed World Championships 2025 - France Triumphs
by Louay Habib / RORC 5 Oct 2025 18:13 BST
22 September - 1 October 2025
Organised by The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in collaboration with Cap-Regatta and supported by LGL and Jeanneau
After days of high-stakes offshore racing, dramatic twists, and an unforgettable finale, the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships reached its conclusion in Cowes.
Across the championship, 21 teams representing 14 nations lined up to compete, with 11 crews from four continents qualifying for the 114nm Final. In light and tactical conditions, France's Théa Khelif and Thomas André (FRA 1) mastered the shifting breeze to be crowned World Champions.
Taking the runner-up spot after a thrilling finish were Great Britain's Willow Bland & Zeb Fellows (GBR 2), Zeb was the youngest sailor at the worlds, just 18 years of age. Domi Knuppel & Federico Waksman (URU) proudly securing third place — Uruguay's first podium at this level.
Full results
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in collaboration with Cap-Regatta and supported by LGL and Jeanneau, hosted this World Sailing-recognised championship in supplied Sun Fast 30 One Design yachts. The fleet representing nations across five continents showcased the diversity and rising talent of the discipline, with mixed-gender crews ranging from Olympians and offshore veterans to youth sailors making their first impact on the world stage.
The Road to the Final
The championship opened with two 140-mile qualifiers. Defending champions Cal Finlayson & Maggie Adamson (GBR 1) stamped their authority early by winning Qualifier 1, while the French duo of Khelif & André (FRA 1) stormed to victory in Qualifier 2 after a brutal 20-25 knot beat off St Catherine's Point.
The new Repechage Race added extra drama, offering one final "golden ticket" to the final. In a nail-biting finish, New Zealand's Aaron Hume-Merry & Anna Merchant (NZL 1) edged out Australia's James Whelan & Stacey Jackson by just two minutes to secure their place.
The Final: Light Winds, Heavy Drama
With the Solent becalmed, the Race Committee made the bold call to move the start west to North Head, outside Hurst Narrows. The gamble paid off: at 15:00 on Monday 29 September, the fleet set off in a light south-westerly with tension already high.
FRA 1, NOR 1 (Karl Otto & Maren Magda Book), and NZL 1 traded early blows. By Needles Fairway, Khelif & André had eked out a slim lead over Zeb Fellows & Willow Bland (GBR 2) and Uruguay's Domi Knuppel & Federico Waksman (URU). Through the night the French extended their margin, only to see it shrink again at Owers as the breeze faded.
Day Two became a tactical battle of patience, kedging, and sheer concentration. The fleet compressed dramatically, and podium places were at stake right until the finish.
At 15:37:54 on 30 September, FRA 1 crossed the line to secure the World Championship title. The fight for silver was decided by just ten seconds, with Fellows & Bland (GBR 2) pulling off a dramatic "Le Mans Start" to beat Knuppel & Waksman (URU) for second place.
Voices from the Podium
Thomas André & Théa Khelif (FRA 1), World Champions:
"This race was about patience and staying calm," commented Khelif. "it was never secure until the final minutes. To win here in Cowes, against such strong teams from around the world, is a dream. The conditions tested everything: tactics, nerves, and teamwork. I'm so proud of what we achieved together."
"The hardest part was never switching off," commented André. " In light winds every small detail can change the race. We trusted our decisions, trusted each other, and kept pushing. To cross the line first in a world championship is the best reward for that focus."
Willow Bland & Zeb Fellows (GBR 2), Silver Medal:
"We honestly thought Uruguay had us at the end. To be kedged side by side, then pulling the anchors and going bow-to-bow for silver, was bizarre. We fought for every inch, and to come away second by ten seconds is unbelievable. For us, just being in this final was huge to leave with a medal is incredible."
Federico Waksman & Domi Knuppel (URU), Bronze Medal:
"We came so close to silver, but we're proud to put Uruguay on the podium in a world championship. It was a tricky race; light winds, strong tide, a real mental game. To finish third in this international fleet shows how far our sailing has come."
A Global Celebration of Double-Handed Racing
Race Director Steve Cole reflected: "This championship brought together 21 teams from 14 nations, and the top seven teams in the final came from four continents; the level of competition has been extraordinary. The supplied-boat format meant it was all about teamwork, endurance, and strategy. Every race had its drama, and the final showcased the resilience of this discipline. France are deserving champions, but every team has left their mark on the event."
The RORC Cowes Clubhouse was the heart of the championship ashore, hosting daily gatherings, debriefs, and the prize-giving. Crews, families, and members from around the world came together to celebrate not just the winners, but the spirit of double-handed racing.
Looking Ahead: Marseille 2026
The Offshore Double Handed World Championships now looks to the future. The 2026 edition will be hosted in Marseille, France — a city with a proud offshore sailing tradition including hosting the sailing competition for the 2024 Olympic Games. The third edition of the Offshore Double Handed World Championships is scheduled to begin on the 23rd of September 2026.
RORC Commodore Deb Fish commented: "The 2025 Worlds in Cowes showed the strength, diversity, and excitement of double-handed offshore racing. As we close our centenary year, we are thrilled to pass the baton to Marseille for 2026, where the championship will continue to grow and inspire."
Final Results: (See also - Full results)
1. FRA 1 - Théa Khelif & Thomas André (France)
2. GBR 2 - Zeb Fellows & Willow Bland (Great Britain)
3. URU - Dominique Knuppel & Federico Waksman (Uruguay)