Tonsberg YC crowned 2024 J/70 SAILING Champions League winners

Tonsberg YC crowned 2024 J/70 SAILING Champions League winners © Prow Media

The grand season finale for the 2024 J/70 SAILING Champions League was held in the picturesque coastal town of Vilamoura, Portugal this past weekend.

For four days, from the 26th to the 29th of September, the 24 best sailing teams from around the world competed for the coveted title. Teams from countries including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, France, USA, Poland, Netherlands, and Australia delivered nail-biting performances until the final moments.

Each day started with light winds, but by midday, the conditions on the Atlantic off the Algarve coast turned into perfect "Champagne Sailing"— an ideal setting for a late-September event.

The Danish Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub dominated from the start, but the Norwegian champion T@nsberg Yacht Club fought back fiercely. Both teams, known for their years of experience and tight teamwork, battled for the top spot.

The 2023 champions, Alandska Segelsdllskapet, struggled on the first day but managed a comeback on day two. Also notable was the Richmond Yacht Club from the USA, participating for the first time after securing a wildcard thanks to the introduction of the league format this year in the USA. The longest journey to Vilamoura was made by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club from Australia.

After a few setbacks, Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub secured their spot in the Final Four during the last race before the cut-off, leading to a thrilling finish. The competition was fierce, with just a few points separating the top teams. Ultimately, the Final Four included the Danish Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub, Norway's T@nsberg Yacht Club, and two Finnish clubs- Alandska Segelsdllskapet and Esbo Segelférening.

It's astonishing to see how fast the Scandinavian teams have improved racing their J/70s! Much to the surprise of everyone in the regatta, this set the stage for an epic Scandinavian showdown.

While the Danes dominated overall, Tonsberg took the first race. The excitement escalated when Esbo won the second race, but Tonsberg Yacht Club took risks in the third race and stumbled at the start. Remarkably, they recovered and claimed victory, making them the champions. Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub came second and Esbo Segelférening came third.

The event was accompanied by a two-day livestream broadcasted by WedoTV in collaboration with SailTracks, allowing viewers to experience the excitement up close. The live coverage captured the intense racing action, allowing fans to follow their favorite teams as they fought for a spot in the Final Four.

"Our initial goal was simply to break into the top 10, so winning this race feels absolutely out of this world. Capturing the last mark turn was an unforgettable moment!", explained Tonsberg Yacht Club.

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