Full on for Offshore Double Handed World Championship

Lorient, France (September 30, 2024) – Gusting over 30 knots with sea state of 2+ meters, the downwind start for the final race of the 2024 Offshore Double Handed World Championship was nothing short of ballistic. The ten finalists from nine different nations were full launched for the 151 nm course. Racing in Sun Fast 30 One Designs, the first to finish would be crowned world champion.

The 22 original entries were divided into two groups which each advanced the top five from the first elimination race and second elimination race. The Final race had been delayed one day to allow the strong westerly winds to ease, which was the fourth low pressure system that had battered Lorient during the championship.

At the downwind start, Erik Van Vuuren and Yvonne Beusker (NED) smoked through the line in first position. However, one of the fancied teams for the championship, Charlotte Yven and Lois Berrehar (FRA), had it all on experiencing a problem with their gennaker, as did Onur Tok and Pelin Keskin (TUR).

The first leg for the fleet to Eaux Saines was an uber-fast broad reach of about 50 miles. Three hours into the race, Elodie Bonafous and Basile Bourgnon (FRA) had set a blistering pace, opening up a two-mile lead on the chasing pack including: Jonas Gerckens/ Djemila Tassin (BEL), Federico Waksman/ Justina Pacheco (URU), Lina Rixgens/ Sverre Reinke (GER), and Maggie Adamson/ Cal Finlayson (GBR).

Race details – Tracking – Entry list