Third week of Gdynia Sailing Days begins with the World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship

The competition will take place on the waters of Gdańsk Bay – one of the most challenging sailing areas in Europe. Sixteen teams have arrived in Poland, representing countries such as Australia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Slovakia, Sweden, the United States, Japan, and Canada.

Sixteen skippers have been invited to compete – one from each Member National Authority (MNA). Only those nominated by World Sailing are eligible to participate in the event. One of the invitations was granted to a skipper nominated by the Polish Yachting Association, with the approval of World Sailing.

Match racing is a sailing format in which only two boats race against each other at a time. The pre-start phase is crucial – teams engage in tactical manoeuvres to gain an advantage or force their opponent into a mistake. The races are umpired on the water, and penalties (a 270° turn) must be performed before crossing the finish line. The racing is focused on controlling the opponent, blocking their moves, and exploiting the rules to gain an edge. The winner is the first to cross the finish line. The most decorated Polish sailor in match racing is Karol Jabłoński – a multiple World and European Champion.

Match racing requires precision, coordination, communication, and strong leadership from the skipper. Teams consist of four or five sailors, with an age limit of 23 years. The total crew weight must not exceed 350 kilograms, and each team must include at least one male and one female sailor on board.

Among the competitors is the team from New Zealand, with Joshua Hyde at the helm – currently ranked second in the Youth World Match Tour. Last year, Hyde and his crew placed fourth overall. The Australian team has also arrived in Gdynia, looking to defend their world title from last year.

In addition to the teams from Oceania, Canada is also competing – skipper Richard Rychlik has Polish roots, as his mother is originally from Łomża. Two teams from the United States are on the starting list, including one led by Justin Callahan, as well as a team from Japan.

Three teams from France are participating, including the silver medalists from the event in Saudi Arabia – Ange Delerce and Julia D’Amodio. Delerce also competed in the previous edition of the Youth America’s Cup.

Poland is represented by Michał Krasodomski – an Olympian from Paris 2024 in the ILCA 7 class. His crew includes Joanna Cymerman (420 and 470 classes), Marcel Montrymowicz (former 49er sailor), and Filip Miłoszewski (experienced ILCA sailor). The team is racing under the HRM Racing banner.

There is speculation that the Italians may be among the favorites – their sailors have extensive experience in the RS21 class, which is used for this championship. Great Britain, a country with a strong tradition in match racing, has entered two teams.

Also competing in Gdynia are teams from northern Europe: Denmark, Sweden, as well as France and Slovakia.

The best skipper after the first stage – known as the Round Robin, where each team races against all others – will be awarded the Gérard Bossé Memorial Trophy, presented by World Sailing. Gérard Bossé was a distinguished figure in the French Sailing Federation, an expert in match race umpiring, and a judge at many of the world’s top regattas, including the prestigious America’s Cup.

Teams:

Australia: Daniel Kemp, Isabella Holdsworth, Charlie Verity, Lachlan Wallace, Hayley Fisher
Denmark: Matias Rossing, Anders Vesterholm-Lavesen, Thomas Arthur-Jorgensen, Julie Horsted-Taato
Italy: Alberto Avanzini, Tommaso Gallina, Jacopo Albini, Lucia Marchi
Poland: Michał Krasodomski, Joanna Cymerman, Marcel Montrymowicz, Filip Miłoszewski
France: Marin Micoulot, Camille Pfaff, Aristide Delin, Clarisse Baissac
Great Britain: Benjamin Tylecote, Jamie Tylecote, Terry Hacker, Freya Pembery, Issy Leetch
France: Ange Delerce, Julia D’Amodio, Thomas Flachon, Sylvestre De Giuli Morghen
New Zealand: Joshua Hyde, Zach Fong, Cody Coughlan, Mason Mulcahy, Sofia Higgott
Great Britain: Fred Salter, Finn Morris, Killian Boag, Henry Heathcote, Annabelle Vines
Slovakia: Christopher Oben, Ricard Garriga, Teo Koponen, Chantal Ferrero
Sweden: Theo Westerlind, Esther Lagerstrand, Svea Sahlin, Malcolm Björsson, Emil Wolfgang
United States: Morgan Pinckney, Samantha Hemans, Kelly Holthus, Peter Barnard, Cam Spriggs
United States: Justin Callahan, Harrison Strom, Kate Danielson, Peter Joslin
Japan: Ryoma Furukawa, Yusuke Minamoto, Taichi Sugiyama, Kako Umeyama, Tomoaki Takata
France: Victorien Eon, Paul Loiseau, Mathieu Le Cléach, Manon Giannantoni
Canada: Richard Rychlik Jr, Tara Golonka, Luca Smith, Take Kawashima, Wilbur Stanley

Text and images courtesy of the Polish Yachting Association.