Cold, rain, fog, shifting breeze—a meteorological mash-up that tested race officers and racers alike. But while the weather struggled to cooperate, the racing delivered drama, delight, and four new world champions—each one with their own remarkable tale to tell.
Sliding Doors and Smooth Sailing
One of the most unexpected stories came out of the Hansa 303 Two-Person class, where an unplanned pairing turned into a world-beating team.
For 18-year-old Rory McKinna, a solo sailor from Ayrshire, Scotland, this regatta was supposed to be all about the singlehanded event. But with time to spare and curiosity piqued, he decided late in the game to give the two-person competition a shot. There was just one small problem—he didn’t have a partner.
Enter Jess Wong, a local Aussie and Hansa newcomer. Through a casual ask-around (via mutual friend and fellow competitor Chris Symonds), McKinna and Wong were introduced. Neither knew quite what to expect, but as Rory puts it: “You know within five minutes of being in the boat whether it will work out or not – and I knew it would.”
Wong agreed. “It wasn’t particularly hard getting together. I knew I was in good hands. I felt comfortable with him straight away.”
Despite a rocky start to the regatta, the duo found their rhythm and climbed the standings steadily. And while a win wasn’t on McKinna’s radar at the outset—“I’ve always been a singles sailor,” he said—the scoreboard told a different story. After a smart, consistent week and a final race that shook up the leaderboard, the Scottish-Aussie combo topped the podium.
It was heartbreak for Poland’s Piotr Cichocki and Olga Górnas-Grudzień, who had been in contention for the title until a costly penalty in Race 5 knocked them from potential champions down to third overall—despite winning the final race. Australians Chris Symonds and Manuela Klinger split the difference in second.
“I'm not even sure how to feel right now,” McKinna said with a half-smile. “But we’ve got one more day, and I’m hoping to finish strong in the singles.”
A world title wasn’t in the forecast for McKinna this week—but he’s taking one home anyway.
Fitzgibbon Returns, and Doesn’t Miss a Beat
The SKUD18 fleet (see main image) only managed one race in the grey and glassy conditions, but that was more than enough to confirm what had become obvious all week: Daniel Fitzgibbon and Chris Somers were untouchable.
Seven bullets in seven races. That’s how you seal a world championship in style.
Fitzgibbon is no stranger to high-stakes sailing. With two Paralympic golds and a silver to his name, the Aussie veteran knows how to deliver when it counts. But this was his first time back in the SKUD18 since the Rio Games in 2016. You wouldn’t have known it.
“It all just clicked again,” he said. “We had to fight today, though. The pressure was patchy and it was hard to read.”
Somers, a longtime friend and former 420 crewmate, proved to be the perfect co-pilot. Their bond off the water translated into seamless teamwork on it—even when the wind refused to play nice.
“Chris and I had to figure out our communication again,” Fitzgibbon said. “It took a couple of days, but we got there—and managed to stay friends!”
Second and third overall also went to Australian teams, with Neil Rowsthorn and Jack Wallace taking silver, and Naomi Ohue and Joe Thompson rounding out the podium.
“It’s been amazing to be back,” Fitzgibbon added. “Seeing old friends, being part of this community again—it’s special. And hats off to RPAYC. Commodore Rob McClelland was personally craning us out after racing. Where else do you see that?”
Calm Decides the Champions
With breeze in short supply, the Liberty and Hansa 2.3 classes stayed ashore, their championships decided on the previous six races.
In the Hansa 2.3, Japan’s Yui Fujimoto dominated. Four wins, plus a second and third, sealed the deal. Teammates Daisuke Zenju and Koji Harada completed a clean sweep of the podium for Japan. From day one, they had the top three spots on lockdown.
It was a different scene in the Liberty class, where the top spots ping-ponged all week. In the end, Hong Kong’s Yuen Wai Foo claimed the crown, but only on countback over Australia’s Charles Weatherly. Dutch sailor Vera Voorbach finished just one point behind, completing a nail-biting podium.
“It would’ve been fun to get one more race in,” Voorbach said, “but that’s sailing.”
Race Officer Lou Hutton echoed the sentiment. “We were out there, waiting, hoping. But it just went from 5–7 knots down to 2–3, with shifts all over the place. At a certain point, you have to call it. These sailors were cold, wet, and deserved better than a lottery.”
Looking Ahead, and Back
The only class still scheduled to race is the Hansa 303 One Person, weather permitting. With a gale warning looming, the forecast is anything but certain. But if the week has proven anything, it’s that these sailors know how to adapt.
Once racing wraps, the week will close with a celebration at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Alongside the World Championship trophies, titles will also be awarded for the Australian and New South Wales Hansa Class Championships, and the Para Worlds.
Sixteen nations have been represented at this regatta—Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, and the USA. For many competitors, just being on the start line has been a victory in itself.
But as the flags come down and the trophies are lifted, it’s clear that this championship wasn’t just about medals. It was about moments—the first handshake in a two-person boat, the rediscovery of old friendships, and the quiet pride of crossing a finish line in rain, fog, or sunshine.
It’s sailing, after all. You take what the breeze gives you. And you make it count.
