MEDIA RELEASE 30 March, 2025
One last bid for redemption in the Hansa 303 One Person class at the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships on Pittwater today, with five realistically vying for the crown, but big conditions decided otherwise and Gauthier Bril (FRA) was named new World Champion.
A visibly relieved Bril was sipping a beer after the race was canned: “I am super happy to win after finishing sixth at the Worlds two years ago and then doing one year of training.
“Sailing here was really difficult, because at the front of the fleet you can’t make any mistakes, you need to be the best you can. The sailors who make the least mistakes win, but there are many other variables as well.
When Bril arrived at the event, he already knew second placed Piotr Cichocki (POL) and João Pinto (POR). “I knew them and the top nine, from racing them at other international events. I knew it would be difficult, so I trained as hard as I could,” he said.
Bril’s next event is the French Championship and his next gig? “I am racing on a Mini 6.50 for the Mini Transat 2027 (a solo, nonstop ocean race across the Atlantic on a 6.5-metre yacht in which he placed 11th in the 2023-2024 race). He has a big sailing program ahead.
It was all in the lap of the weather gods as to whether the race would go ahead. Principal Race Officer, Megan Kensington and her race management team, monitored the Gale Warning that predicted 30 knot gusts and rainy weather all day.
Meanwhile, a nervous top three paced, waiting to hear their fates. Bril: “The last day is always stressful because other guys could win it. I could have moved down the podium… So, yes, I am relieved.”
Bril was only one point clear of Piotr Cichocki (POL) and four ahead of Jens Kroker (GER). Breathing down the necks of the top three were Davide Di Maria (ITA) and João Pinto from Portugal. The latter pair were on equal points and eight points off the lead.
The top three each had reasons to make the last race count. Bril came into the competition focused and determined to wear the World Championship crown and put everything into his training beforehand.
Cichocki was poised to take out the Hansa Two Person Worlds, but a penalty in the penultimate race ultimately cost he and Olga Górnas-Grudzien that crown, making his resolve even firmer in this class.
For Kroker, it was more about proving to himself he could still do it. His past efforts include skippering German Paralympic Sonar teams to silver, gold and silver medals at the Paralympics from 2000 to 2012, but then family and work commitments took precedence.
Yesterday Yui Fujimoto (JPN) was declared World Champion of the Hansa 2.3 class, after their racing was also cut short due to the weather.
“Before I came here, I wished I could win and I made it,” exclaimed Fujimoto.
“The weather was always changing and the tide was strong. I’m not used to sailing in these sorts of conditions. It was very tricky. I was always looking everywhere, checking everyone, Liberty and SKUD classes too, as they were on our course. I kept my head out of the boat.”
Japanese sailors filled the podium. Fujimoto explained, “We sail at the same place, so we are always competing against each other. Here, the three of us were together on the same side of the course most of the time. We followed each other and stuck together somehow.”
On the event as a whole? “Of course, I have loved sailing here. I wish we could have sailed another race yesterday. I have also enjoyed mixing with everybody back at the Club,” said Fujimoto, who will head home to Japan for her next regattas.
Yesterday, Foo Yuen Wai stitched up the Liberty World Championship and we caught up with him: “At that moment (when they cancelled further racing), “I felt very relieved and expressed my good mood, by saying, ‘At last I got the trophy,’” he said.
“At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, I finished third. After training hard for 10 months, that was my first major trophy. Then last year, at the Asia Pacific Championship on the Gold Coast, I was named Liberty class champion.”
On his rivals, Foo Yuen Wai said, “Australian sailor Charlie (Weatherly, who placed second overall), was the toughest. I knew he would be. We are good friends. “It was a huge relief to not sail another race. I was leading, but we were on equal points.”
“I feel happy too, because the atmosphere at Alfreds… All the organising people, volunteers, people at reception, all the staff, they are so friendly and helpful, which makes it easy. I was comfortable each day when I came here, receiving smiles and welcomes. I am overwhelmed by all the friendly people, the sailors and everyone – and to make it better – I got the trophy!”
“We hope Hansa Organisation can organise a Worlds like this in Hong Kong. They held East Asia Championships twice, now they would like to hold the Worlds,” Foo Yuen Wai ended.
Other World Champions within the main event were also crowned at the 4pm Presentation ahead of the Closing Ceremony. Full results can be found on the official website.
Rob McClelland, Commodore of RPAYC, was among the many from his Club to roll up the sleeves and pitch in. The final words belong to him.
“The 2025 Hansa World Championships have been sailed and it’s fair to say this has been one of the most memorable and meaningful weeks in the life of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club,” he said.
“Pittwater delivered challenging, world-class conditions and our Club delivered an experience that many competitors have described as ‘life-changing’. Sailors from around the world felt welcomed, supported, and celebrated — and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“Many said they’ve never experienced a regatta so well organised, so thoughtfully delivered and so full of heart. Chris Mitchell, founder of Hansa Sailing, summed up best when he said he’d ‘never seen a Worlds run this well’. That was pleasing to hear, the Commodore said.
“To the competitors, volunteers and our incredible staff — thank you. Our volunteers (over 80 of them) worked tirelessly across all areas and yet did so with smiles on their faces. They formed friendships and found joy in the experience.
“Our staff went above and beyond and across every department the level of service. Their care and professionalism was exceptional. This event has shown what our Club is capable of when we come together. The legacy of this regatta will live on — not just in results or trophies, but in the stories, memories and impact it’s left on everyone involved.
“To all of you – sail safe, travel well – and please come back again,” the Commodore ended.
Eighteen nations competed at the Championships hosted by RPAYC on Pittwater in NSW: Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and USA.
We leave you with memories of the past week via photos taken by Alex Dare at Down Under Sail.
For full results, please visit: https://hansaworlds.org/results/
For all information, including video and photos please visit: https://hansaworlds.org/
For all information on RPAYC and its facilities, please visit: https://rpayc.com.au/
By Di Pearson/Hansa Worlds
