French win Mixed Offshore Worlds

Twenty-one teams representing 14 nations competed in the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championship on September 23-30 in Cowes, Isle of Wight. The invitational mixed-gender event, using equipment-supplied Sun Fast 30 One Design boats, was won by France’s Théa Khelif and Thomas André (FRA 1) in a 114 nm final race to decide the title.

The entrants were divided into two fleets with each having a 140 nm qualification race that advanced the top 5 ranked boats to the final race. For boats ranked 6 through 11, they got a second chance in a repechage race with the top finisher also making it to the 11-boat final race for the title.

The second edition of this event attracted Alec Coleman/ Savannah Taylor from Canada and USA teams Joseph Kurta/ Adrianna Lee and Jesse Fielding/ Leandra Sweet. Only the Canadians advanced to the final race, finishing seventh in the light and tactical conditions which took just over a day to complete.

“The level of competition has been extraordinary,” noted Race Director Steve Cole. “The supplied-boat format meant it was all about teamwork, endurance, and strategy. Every race had its drama, and the final showcased the resilience of this discipline. France are deserving champions, but every team has left their mark on the event.”

Defending champions Cal Finlayson and Maggie Adamson (GBR 1) stamped their authority early by winning Qualifier 1, while the French duo of Khelif/ André stormed to victory in Qualifier 2 after a brutal 20–25 knot beat off St Catherine’s Point.

The new Repechage Race added extra drama, offering one final “golden ticket” to the final. In a nail-biting finish, New Zealand’s Aaron Hume-Merry and Anna Merchant (NZL 1) edged out Australia’s James Whelan and Stacey Jackson by just two minutes to secure their place.

With the Solent becalmed for the Final, the Race Committee made the bold call to move the start west to North Head, outside Hurst Narrows. The gamble paid off at 15:00 on September 29 when the fleet set off in a light south-westerly.

FRA 1, NOR 1 (Karl Otto/ Maren Magda Book), and NZL 1 traded early blows. By Needles Fairway, Khelif/ André had eked out a slim lead over Zeb Fellows and Willow Bland (GBR 2) and Uruguay’s Domi Knuppel and Federico Waksman (URU). Through the night the French extended their margin, only to see it shrink again at Owers as the breeze faded.

By the second day, it was a tactical battle of patience, kedging, and sheer concentration. The fleet compressed dramatically, and podium places were at stake right until the finish.

At 15:37:54 on September 30, FRA 1 crossed the line to secure the World Championship title. The fight for silver was decided by just ten seconds, with Fellows/ Bland (GBR 2) pulling off a dramatic “Le Mans Start” to beat Knuppel/ Waksman (URU) for second place.

Details: https://sailracehq.com/results/event/9ca7b7db-f705-417d-b9fa-aad170b2cb2b/2025?mc_cid=d623d7d930&mc_eid=0be240810c

Voices from the Podium:

Thomas André and Théa Khelif (FRA 1), World Champions:
“This race was about patience and staying calm,” commented Khelif. “It was never secure until the final minutes. To win here in Cowes, against such strong teams from around the world, is a dream. The conditions tested everything: tactics, nerves, and teamwork. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”

“The hardest part was never switching off,” commented André. “In light winds every small detail can change the race. We trusted our decisions, trusted each other, and kept pushing. To cross the line first in a world championship is the best reward for that focus.”

Willow Bland and Zeb Fellows (GBR 2), Silver Medal:
“We honestly thought Uruguay had us at the end. To be kedged side by side, then pulling the anchors and going bow-to-bow for silver, was bizarre. We fought for every inch, and to come away second by ten seconds is unbelievable. For us, just being in this final was huge to leave with a medal is incredible.”

Federico Waksman and Domi Knuppel (URU), Bronze Medal:
“We came so close to silver, but we’re proud to put Uruguay on the podium in a world championship. It was a tricky race; light winds, strong tide, a real mental game. To finish third in this international fleet shows how far our sailing has come.”

The third edition of the Offshore Double Handed World Championships is scheduled for September 2026 in Marseille, France.