Meet the fleet: 2025 European Champions Lucas and Moritz Hamm
by International 29er Class 31 Aug 2025 01:50 PDT
2025 29er European Championship sponsored by Kidzink. Riva del Garda, Italy. Tuesday 8th of July 2025 © International 29er Class
First off, congratulations! How did it feel to win the 29er European Championship in Lake Garda?
Amazing! It's our first big international title. We already had strong results at the national level and were often close internationally, but winning out of 251 boats from around 30 nations felt truly special... big smiles all around!
As twins sailing together, what's it like on board — do you feel you have a special connection, or do you argue like brothers sometimes?
There are lots of advantages, and definitely a special connection. In the beginning we argued more, but after three years sailing together, we realized there's no better partner than your twin.
How did you two get into sailing? Did you ever sail with a different partner?
We started sailing Optimists before even starting school — and always with each other. We were perfect training partners: same interests, similar character, weight, age, and family. In 2022 we moved straight into the 29er together. In training we sometimes switched, but it only confirmed that sailing together felt right and so much better.
Do you think being twins gives you an advantage when it comes to communication and teamwork on the water?
Yes, for sure. We can communicate much more directly and often know what the other person is thinking without saying a word. Of course, the flip side is that there are no barriers between us — but that's part of the deal!
Looking back, what was the key moment in Garda that set you up for the European title?
We had a strong start and then an especially great day with the famous Peler breeze. The strong wind suited us well. The final day was tricky for everyone given shifty winds, but we could stand the pressure.
Why did you decide that now was the right time to move on from the 29er and step into the 49er?
We started sailing the 49er FX right after the Worlds in Aarhus in 2024. We were growing fast and gaining weight, and we love new challenges, so the step just felt natural. We still did a few 29er regattas for fun and race practice and to see our friends — and winning the Europeans made it even more special, especially since we sailed with less pressure.
How has the transition felt so far — what's the biggest difference between the two boats?
The transition's been great — the 49er is just awesome! It's super cool that both of us are now in the trapeze. For the crew the change is smaller, for the helm it's bigger. Since summer we now already moved onto the big rig, and it feels even better than the FX.
What are the biggest challenges you've faced in adjusting to the Olympic class?
At first there weren't many regattas for men in the FX fleet, so training partners were harder to find. But it looks like more teams are joining, which will make the next seasons really exciting. In the 49er men class, we are now training and competing with male teams of all ages. That's cool.
Do you feel pressure stepping into such a competitive fleet or is it more excitement and motivation?
Pure excitement and motivation. We're 17, so we don't expect to be at the top right away. We'll work hard, improve step by step, and enjoy every challenge along the way.
What are your long-term goals now that you're in the 49er — is the Olympics the dream?
For sure — like for most athletes, it's the ultimate dream. But we know it's a long journey and we always think and do it step-by-step. For us it's about lots of good training days, collecting experiences in great regattas and meeting amazing people from all over the world.
Finally, what advice would you give to young sailors coming up in the 29er who hope to follow your path one day?
Go sailing with a smile and never give up! Off the water, hang out in the boat park, meet and connect with other sailors, eat healthy and get enough sleep. Get fit by doing all kinds of other sports — in our lives there's no day without running, cycling, gym, skiing, tennis, or volleyball. And finally, don't forget boatwork: perfect gear is another key piece of the puzzle. Good luck and have fun!