The Match Racing World Championships have just concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
During the first three days of qualifying phases (the Round Robin), the crew of the 2003 Sailing Team composed of Julien Bunel (Mare e Vela), with Ange Delerce (Antibes), Sylvestre de Giuli Morghen (Marseille), Julia d'Amodio (Cannes) and Thomas Flachon (Antibes) managed to win the Gérard Bossé Trophy awarded to 1st in the Round Robinafter having fought hard.
At the end of these phases, the race format changed and the French chose to face the Irish of Tom Higgins, who they won 3-1. Qualified for the semi-finals, they then found themselves against one of the favorites, the Swede Marius Westerlind.
The tension was palpable and fatigue was starting to make itself felt. The French won the first match then the Swedes followed up with two successes. The Sailing Team did not give up and drew on its resources to come back to 2 everywhere and turn things around after an exhausting struggle both mentally and physically. Tested by the harshness of the matches, the French found themselves in the final against the team of Australian Cole Tapper, whom they beat in the Round Robin and in the final last year.
“A very good year”
The fresher Australians, who had performed flawlessly without conceding a defeat since the quarter-finals, continued their momentum and won the final. “We are very proud to be on the world podium for the second time, declared the Ajaccian helmsman. This week was very strong and full of emotion! We were able to play our game the first three days but the Australians were stronger and fresher than us in this final. This second place closes a very good year, after our titles of young French champion, senior French champion and university world champion. We are already looking towards 2025 which will be our last year as a youth. Thank you to all those who support us, the FFVoile, the Corsican Community, the Corsican Sailing League and the Southern League, our poles, our clubs, our coaches and our families. »
Podium 1- Australia Cole Tapper, Jack Frewin, Joel Beashel, Hamish Vass, Chelsea Williams 2- France Ange Delerce, Julia D'amodio, Julien Bunel, Sylvestre de Giuli Morghen, Thomas Flachon 3- Suède Marius Westerlind, Emil Wolfgang, Malcolm Bjrsson , Martina Carlsson, Nils Westerlind
