Italy Makes History at Inaugural EurILCA
Racing got underway early, with the first start firing at 08:00, as sailors faced a classic Mediterranean test: light, patchy and highly variable winds, fluctuating between just 1 and 7 knots throughout the day. These were conditions that rewarded patience, communication and flawless teamwork — the very foundations of successful team racing.
With breeze lines constantly shifting across the course, every tack, mark trap and positioning decision carried extra weight. It was a day where mental sharpness mattered just as much as boat speed, and where teams had to adapt on the fly to survive.
Round-Robin Drama Sets the Stage
The morning session was devoted to completing the round-robin qualification, gradually separating the contenders from the rest of the fleet. As the final results were tallied, four nations rose to the top and secured their places in the knockout stages:
Italy
Greece
Sweden 1
Sweden 2
With qualification complete, the fleet returned ashore while the Race Committee crunched the numbers — tension building as teams waited to learn their semifinal match-ups.
Semifinals: Fine Margins, Fierce Racing
The first semifinal saw Italy take on Sweden 2 in a closely fought encounter that demanded precision and discipline. Italy executed their race plan with authority, controlling key moments and denying Sweden 2 the opportunity to break through, earning their place in the final.
The second semifinal delivered another gripping contest as Sweden 1 faced Greece. In a match defined by smart positioning and calm decision-making under pressure, Greece emerged victorious, booking their place in the championship decider.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff provided its own drama, with Sweden 2 defeating Sweden 1 to secure the bronze medals.
The Final: Italy vs Greece for the Title
The grand final brought together Italy and Greece, two teams that had shown consistency, adaptability and resilience throughout the regatta. With the first-ever EurILCA Team Racing European Championship title on the line, the racing tightened even further.
In another tactical battle shaped by light airs and strategic control, Italy held their nerve. Through disciplined teamwork and sharp execution at critical moments, they edged ahead and closed out the race — sealing a historic victory and becoming Europe’s first ILCA Team Racing champions.
Final Standings – 2025 EurILCA Team Racing Europeans
Italy – Inaugural Champions
Greece
Sweden 2
4th – Sweden 1
The Champions
Italy’s historic victory was delivered by a well-balanced and composed team:
Alberto Avanzini
Enrico Morina
Sofia Berteotti
Martina Corno
Their blend of tactical awareness, communication and calm under pressure proved decisive across the final stages.
Podium Finishers
The Greek team, who pushed Italy all the way in the final, consisted of:
Stefanos Samaras
Michail Akalestos
Fragkiski Kosma
Eleni Alchanati
Bronze medallists Sweden 2 were represented by:
Adele Ramm-Ericson
Oskar Annwall
Oskar Wetter
Lova Leringe
A New Era for European Team Racing
Beyond the medals and trophies, the 2025 EurILCA Team Racing Championship marked a significant milestone for European sailing. The event showcased the growing appetite for team racing within the ILCA class — a format that places equal emphasis on tactical intelligence, teamwork and adaptability.
Athens provided a fitting backdrop for this historic debut, delivering conditions that demanded the very best from sailors and race officials alike.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With the bar now set, EurILCA has confirmed that the EurILCA Team Racing European Championship will return in 2026, and all European nations are invited to take part. After a compelling inaugural edition, expectations are already high for an even bigger, more competitive fleet next year.
If this first championship is anything to go by, ILCA team racing in Europe has a very bright future indeed.