The Nautical World Witnesses a New Wave: Honouring the Pioneering 49er and 49erFX Rookie Teams of 2025

The open sea. A wave of change. The 2025 sailing season heralded a new generation of elite sailors, cementing their position within the admiring gaze of the 49er class of the sailing fold. Out of all the fresh-faced rookies, the ones who steered the sail of undeniable talent and clasped the helm of tenacity were Ben O’Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain.

This dynamic Irish duo deftly manoeuvred their way from a celebrated journey in the 29er, conquering National and European Championship titles along the way, before transitioning commendably into the senior 49er fleet. They whisked up the sea spray as they breezed past seasoned Olympians, showcasing flair and agility with their front-of-the-fleet speed. Amassing multiple top-three finishes, they crowned their progress with a resounding victory at the World Championship’s Qualifying round in Cagliari, an achievement defying the depths of talents in the fleet.

On par with their progressive strides in the senior fleet, Ben & Ethan also laid claim to the Junior 49er European Championship title in Sferracavallo, Italy, underlining their dominance and showing the sailing world that they indeed were a force to reckon with.

The Hamm twins also garnered much attention in the sailing scene. Their impressive journey from the 49erFX to the 49er, punctuated by their win in the 29er European Title, demonstrates the enormous potential they have in the competitive sailing scene. Despite not having contested at a major 49er championship yet, they have already etched their burgeoning talent in the hearts and minds of sailing enthusiasts worldwide. As we hoist our sails and set our rudder towards the future, it’s clear these new teams have marked their coordinates on the competitive sailing map, propelling the sport into a new era of intensity and innovation.