2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships - Qualifying Race 1
by Louay Habib / RORC 24 Sep 23:49 AEST
22 September - 1 October 2025
Provisional results are in from the first 140nm qualifier of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships, and the racing delivered plenty of drama.
Reigning world champions Cal Finlayson & Maggie Adamson (GBR 1) got their campaign off to the perfect start, winning in just under 19 hours. Less than four minutes later, Dominique Knuppel & Federico Waksman (URU) crossed the line in second but must wait for a jury decision later today to confirm their place. Lina Rixgens & Sverre Reinke (GER 1) battled back from hooking a fishing net south of the Isle of Wight to snatch third by only 47 seconds. Anna Drougge & Martin Angsell (SWE 1) finished a solid fourth to make the final. The young Dutch crew of Christiane Walta & Ivar Elstrodt (NED) securing the all-important fifth place and a spot in the championship final.
Cal Finlayson & Maggie Adamson commented after winning Qualifying Race 1:
"Coming into this first qualifier our goal was simple: make the top five," commented Finlayson. "That's all we needed to secure our place in the final. Winning was a bonus — but it shows that if you keep putting yourself at the front, even when you get passed or make mistakes, you'll always be in contention when it matters. In a fleet this competitive, positioning is everything. We stuck broadly to the plan we discussed, but of course you can't just sail your own race — you have to react to the boats around you. Staying calm and making smart decisions was the key. By the finish we were still doing nine knots across the line despite the current against us, and it felt great to bring it home.
"Short offshore races like this are almost a sprint, so it's about keeping the intensity up while still managing energy," commented Adamson. "We identified stable legs where one of us could grab a 20-minute nap, and that kept us sharp. We also made sure snacks were stashed in sail pockets so we could eat on the go without losing focus. Adrenaline helps too! As defending world champions we know there's a target on our backs, but we try not to let that weigh on us. Our approach is just to sail our race, stay composed when things don't go to plan, and keep pushing. We've worked hard on not panicking mid-fleet, just resetting, giving ourselves a quick pep talk and getting back in the game. That mindset made a difference here. We're delighted to start our 2025 campaign this way. Securing a spot in the final was the main goal, and now we can look forward to the battle for the title."
The Uruguay team of Dominique Knuppel & Ferderico Waksman have raced double handed together before but their notable achievements lie elsewhere. Knuppel has represented Uruguay in two Olympic Games in the Nacra 17 and Waksman was the winner of the 2023 Mini Transat.
"Securing a top-five result was the priority, so to finish second overall feels fantastic. It gives us confidence and a little buffer as we move forward in the championship. Of course, we would love to win, but this was a very positive way to begin." Commented Waksman.
Coming from different sailing backgrounds, we are still building our rhythm together. What we enjoy about double-handed sailing is that it combines our strengths: the intensity of constant trimming and connection with the boat, and the endurance needed for an offshore course. At key moments, especially after the Needles when the fleet spread out, we really felt that connection working. We chose the right lane towards St Catherine's and it paid off, keeping us in a strong position." Commented Knuppel.
"The Solent tides were a huge factor. At times they dictated the whole strategy. We had some challenges downloading the latest GRIB files, but once we had them we knew tide management would be critical. Some boats went too far inshore and lost out; we managed to stay in the right balance between tide and breeze.
Finishing second gives us breathing space and a big boost of energy. This fleet is very competitive with teams from 14 nations, and racing alongside such talent is inspiring. For now, our plan is to recharge — sleep, eat, and reset — before we return with focus for the next stage. This result shows we are on the right track and ready for the challenge ahead." Concluded Waksman
Christiane Walta & Ivar Elstrodt (NED) at just 23 and 25 years of age form one of the youngest team at the word championships. While Ivar has raced double handed as part of the RORC Griffin Pathway. Christiane is a newcomer to the short-handed discipline. The team were delighted to take fifth place and qualify for the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships.
"Our main goal was simply to do our best. For me it was my very first double-handed race, so everything was new. Ivar has experience but we had never raced together short-handed before — only in fully crewed boats. To qualify for the final was something we hoped for, but it felt like a stretch. Now, standing here having made it, we are overjoyed. I'll admit I was nervous at the start. We ran through our checklists, but the pressure of the unknown definitely crept in, and it affected our timing." Commented Walta.
"We didn't get the cleanest start, but we regrouped quickly and found our rhythm," commented Elstrodt. "Offshore sailing is never perfect; things go wrong, and you just have to keep your head down and work the problem. That's what we did, and it kept us in the game.
At Brighton Buoy we were late with our sail prep and lost ground, but we fought back. The final stretch was the most nerve-wracking. We were locked in a constant battle with two or three boats, swapping positions all the time. With the top five places qualifying, it felt like everything was on the line. About an hour before the finish we realised fifth was possible — but we didn't want to celebrate too soon. We just kept pushing."
Crossing the line and confirming that we had made the final was unbelievable," smiled Walta. "For me, it was a dream to qualify on my first attempt at double-handed racing, and for both of us it's an incredible feeling. We're proud to be one of the youngest teams here and can't wait to line up again in the finals."
Racing at the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships continues on Thursday 25 September with Qualification Race 2, starting at 1300 BST from The Solent.
Results so far can be found here.