2025 Fireball World Championship at Circolo Vela Arco - Day 3
by Elena Giolai 26 Aug 16:53 UTC
24-29 August 2025
After three days of competition and six races completed, with the first discard now applied, the leaderboard of the Fireball World Championship 2025 is getting closer and more exciting.
The event, organized by Circolo Vela Arco in collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation and the Italian and International Fireball Classes, is delivering spectacular days with steady winds and stunning scenery, confirming the international reputation of this world-class racecourse.
On Tuesday two races were sailed in southerly Ora winds, with the second race proving more demanding as gusts reached 18 knots. At the top of the standings the British duo DJ Edwards - Vyv Townend, already Fireball World Champions, held onto the lead with scores of 2-4. Close behind, the Swiss pair Yves Mermod - Maja Siegenthaler (2-3) - the top mixed crew in the fleet - closed the gap to just 5 points thanks to the discard. In third place, the Australians Brendan Garner - Ben O’Brien (third at the 2024 Worlds on home waters) remain solid, while from 4th to 10th place it is all British flags, underlining the strength of the UK fleet. Standing out in 5th are Georgia Booth - Oliver Davenport, the first mixed crew with a female helm, who have had an excellent start to their Worlds.
In 11th sit the Czech team Jiri Paruzek - Jakub Kosvica, followed in 12th by the best Italians Paolo Brescia - Filippo Vulcanile (today 9-16). In 9th overall, the experienced British over 125 team David Hall - Paul Constable moved ahead of the Irish brothers Daniel and Henry Thompson, leaders in the Under 25 category but now down to 15th place overall. Wednesday is a rest (and sightseeing) day for the fleet, before the decisive final races scheduled on Thursday and Friday. The championship will conclude on Friday, 29 August, with the crowning of the new Fireball World Champions.
After three days of medium to strong winds, adrenaline and spectacular mark roundings, the title race is still wide open. There is great energy both on and off the water, with an international fleet that blends competition, camaraderie and passion for a boat that continues to fascinate after more than 60 years of history.