Light winds and shifting breeze build tension ahead of the Youth Sailing Worlds finale
Vilamoura, Portugal
Light and unstable conditions once again tested the 29er International fleet at the Vilamoura Youth Sailing World Championships, setting the stage for an intriguing final day with everything still to play for.
The Female 29er fleet was first on the water and completed three races in 5–8 knots of breeze. A fourth race was started but later abandoned following a significant wind shift, after which the breeze continued to fade, sending the fleet back to shore.
At the top of the standings, Great Britain’s Lila Edwards and Amelie Hiscocks reclaimed the lead after another tactically impressive day, building a solid scorecard ahead of the championship decider. Close behind are reigning World and European Champions Antonina Puchowska and Alicja Dampc (POL), with Carolina Barceló and Agustina Argüelles (ARG) holding third place — ensuring a tight battle at the front.
The Male/Mixed 29er fleet launched as scheduled but was unable to find sailable breeze. After waiting patiently on the water, racing was abandoned, leaving the standings unchanged and preserving an already close leaderboard.
At the top of the men’s standings, Poland’s Szymon Kolka and Bartosz Zmudzinski hold the lead, followed by France’s Nolann Huet Des Aunay and Titouan Gresset in second, with Brazil’s Zion Brandão da Cunha Faria and João Vicente Botelho Joppert in third — all ready to fight it out on the final day.
Coaching Insights
29er Coaching and Development Manager Larry Cargill commented:
“The girls were first out on the water today and managed to get three races completed in 5–8 knots. Their fourth race was abandoned due to a major wind shift, and as the breeze continued to fade they were sent back in. The British girls sailed exceptionally well tactically and built a solid scorecard with the final day of racing ahead. The Mixed/Boys fleet went out but were unable to get any sailable breeze and were sent back to shore with no racing.”
With the forecast keeping everyone guessing, the championship now heads into a decisive final day, where patience, precision and a little luck may make all the difference.
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