Copenhagen to host 2025 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 Junior World Championships
by Alexia Lahoud, 49er and Nacra 17 Sailing 15 Nov 2024 04:38 PST
30 July - 3 August 2025
Royal Danish Yacht Club © Royal Danish Yacht Club
The 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes are thrilled to announce that the 2025 Junior World Championships will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, and hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club from July 30 to August 3, 2025.
This event will see the world's most promising young sailors competing for four coveted world titles:
- 49er Junior Worlds (Open)
- 49erFX Junior Worlds (Women)
- 49erFX Junior Worlds (Open)
- Nacra 17 Junior Worlds (Mixed)
As junior sailing's flagship event, it will showcase elite talent and future stars in one of the world's most exciting sailing locations.
Championship venue and amenities
The courses are set 15 NM north of Copenhagen in the scenic Rungsted Marina, offering an ideal location for competitive sailing. The Royal Danish Yacht Club boasts a spacious and comfortable clubhouse in the marina, which will serve as the event's headquarters. The marina also features a three-lane slipway adjacent to the clubhouse, along with designated holding areas for boats. Additionally, Rungsted Marina has six restaurants, and a nearby hotel provides convenient accommodations for participants and visitors. Short-term accommodation rentals are readily available through globally accessible apps, ensuring flexible lodging options for all attendees.
Championship highlights and defending champions
Last year's Junior Worlds, held in Galicia, Spain, brought together 107 crews from 25 nations and delivered unforgettable performances across all classes. In the 49erFX Women's division, Germany's Katharina Schwachhofer and Elena Stoltze led a thrilling competition, but Italy's Sofia Giunchiglia and Giulia Schio took home the title after a dramatic final-day showdown. In the 49er Junior Worlds, Richard Schulteis and Yoenn Bertin of Malta claimed the championship title, navigating difficult offshore winds with skill and precision.
In the Nacra 17 Mixed category, Belgium's Kwinten and Lieselotte Borghijs claimed victory with an outstanding performance. The duo recently also won the junior European title and secured 3rd place in the overall category, marking a successful season for the Belgian team.
Seb Menzies of New Zealand, who helmed for Emirates Team New Zealand in the Youth America's Cup, also made an impressive run in the 2024 49er Junior Worlds, finishing in a strong fourth place with crew George Lee Rush. Menzies, now entering the 2025 championships with valuable experience from both the Youth America's Cup and Junior Worlds, will be one of the promising sailors to watch this year in Copenhagen.
Race management and course details
The 2025 Junior Worlds will be organized across three designated course areas to accommodate the fleet sizes and ensure a dynamic, fair racing experience. Race management will be overseen by Tomas Dyrbye, a highly experienced race manager, supported by a five-member leadership team. The Royal Danish Yacht Club will also have a dedicated team of volunteers fulfilling crucial roles both onshore and on the water.
Join us as the next wave of world-class sailors converges in Copenhagen to compete for the ultimate prize in junior sailing. For more information on schedules, participant details, and race coverage, visit here.