Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Sailing Grand Slam Gold at Kieler Woche goes to France and Great Britain

by Kieler Woche 29 Jun 14:39 UTC 21-29 June 2025
Winner of the medal race and overall at Kieler Woche Sailing Grand Slam 2025 in the 470: Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris from Great Britain © Sascha Klahn / Kieler Woche

With a victory in the final medal race of the Kieler Woche, the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris secured gold in the 470 class on Sunday (June 29).

The best German team, Theresa Löffler and Christopher Hoerr, finished fifth. In the second Olympic discipline, the Nacra 17 - without any local finalists - Tim Mourniac and Aloise Retornaz from France won ahead of John Gimson and Anna Burnet (Great Britain). In the afternoon, winners and runners-up in nine international classes were honored. With that, the Kieler Woche regatta concluded successfully after more than 350 sailing races involving around 1,500 boats from 65 nations.

With perfect sailing conditions, a fresh to strong westerly wind, and the finals in the Olympic mixed disciplines, the Kieler Woche celebrated a spectacular sporting finale. The internationally diverse podiums in the 470 and Nacra 17 classes reflected the high status of the newly established Sailing Grand Slam. The medals were shared among Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Australia.

The British duo Wrigley/Harris confidently held off the current Spanish world champions Jordi Xammar Hernandez/Marta Cardona Alcantara and the Portuguese crew Diego Costa/Carolina Joao in the final. "It was super exciting right to the end. We only managed to take the lead in the second upwind and then held onto it," reported Bettine Harris about the eventful medal race. "This victory means a lot to us after what has already been a great season. Beating the reigning world champions feels amazing," said the worlds bronze medalist.

The world champions had high praise for the Kieler Woche: "We're very happy to have been here. It's one of the best events in the world, a fantastic competition, well organized. And you have to be a really good sailor to succeed here. That's what makes it so cool."

With increasing wind pressure, the Nacra 17 catamarans final turned into a wild ride over the waves, though without German participation. Still, it was full of excitement as crews fought to stay aboard their bucking boats in the rough wind. Just before the finish, the leading Australians Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown nearly capsized. But the team from Down Under avoided a flip, secured victory in the medal race, and thus took third place overall. The French team Mourniac/Retornaz only needed second place in the final to clinch gold ahead of Tokyo Olympic silver medalists Gimson/Burnet.

Full results available here.

Related Articles

ASA Summit heads to Key West next week
2025 Sportfishing Summit powered by the American Sportfishing Association Leaders from across the sportfishing industry will head to Key West next week for the 2025 Sportfishing Summit powered by the American Sportfishing Association. Posted on 30 Sep
US Debut for Barton Marine Bulkhead Pipe Glands
Exhibited in the US for the first time in booth 3-1717 at IBEX 2025 Bulkhead watertight integrity is essential in modern boat building. Pipes moving through the vessel and bulkheads always present a challenge. Posted on 30 Sep
Road map to Red Snapper management
Unveiled by the South Atlantic States The directors of the state marine fisheries agencies from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have released the outline for state-based recreational data gathering and management of South Atlantic red snapper. Posted on 24 Sep
The latest in fleet monitoring and tracking
Join us on October 22nd for an in-depth exploration of the latest in tracking technology Fleet monitoring and tracking are essential for efficiency, safety, and compliance with real-time visibility into fleet movements critical. Posted on 24 Sep
Lund Boats launches all-new explorer
A rugged, fish-first workhorse for the next generation of anglers Lund Boats, a leading manufacturer of premium aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, today announced the launch of the all-new 1700 and 1800 Explorer models, purpose-built for anglers who demand rugged performance, low maintenance, and exceptional value. Posted on 23 Sep
New seasonal closures for Striped Bass proposed
By the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has proposed a 12% reduction for the recreational sector, which is likely to take the form of "no targeting" closures, which prohibit anglers from fishing for striped bass altogether Posted on 23 Sep
Understanding Boat Plumbing and Water Systems
This Second Edition has been fully revised throughout, and covers all the major topics This Second Edition has been fully revised throughout, and offers a comprehensive coverage of all the major topics Posted on 18 Sep
Boat Buying Basics
Melanie earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before her car license Melanie Sunshine Neale earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before she got her driver's license. She grew up living aboard her family's 47-foot GulfStar sailboat, cruising up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas for 20 years. Posted on 13 Sep
Sailing roles available in Dubai
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club is recruiting! Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC), one of the Middle East's most established and internationally recognised Sailing Clubs, is inviting applications for the role of Racing and Events Manager, and RYA Cruising Instructor. Posted on 13 Sep
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show 7 Season 2
Episode Seven - XCAT World Champion, Tom Barry-Cotter from Five Blade Episode Seven - XCAT World Champion, Tom Barry-Cotter from FiveBlade talks boat shows, greenwashing. Lots to learn, so strap in for a great time. Posted on 13 Sep
Maritimo M50Palm Beach Motor Yachts