Italy Shines on Day One of the Exciting 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal

The 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships couldn’t have begun on a more exciting note. Vilamoura, Portugal, the picturesque host city, saw teams from all over the world flocking in, ready to pit their best against the ocean and each other. Casting light on the Italian team’s stunning performance, they managed to gain an impressive start, leading three out of the five events that were held on the opening day.

Alessandro Cirinei and Marina Murri, stole the limelight by snatching victories in the male and female ILCA 6 races respectively. But they weren’t the only Italians on top form. Making an early impression in the male/mixed 29er races were Giuseppe Montesano and Enrico Coslevich, who presently enjoy the enviable position of being the early frontrunners.

On an equally thrilling note, the Nacra 15 races weren’t without their share of drama. Four pairs mistook the course, leading to drastic misjudgments. Among them were reigning Youth World and Nacra 15 world champions Lorenzo Sirena and Alice Dessy, who despite crossing the line first, were later marked with an NSC (not sailed course).

However, the difficulties faced by some lead to opportunities for others, and Praud and Mansouri took full advantage, leading with only four points, ahead of both Dylan Tomko and Casey Small (USA), and Belgium’s Lotte Meynen and Simon Jacobs.

In the 29er category, the Italian team held onto their slim lead, with Montesano and Coslevich finishing seventh in the first race and second in the following one. Close on their heels, the German and Australian duos also displayed commendable spirit.

Despite unfavorable winds causing a halt to the remaining six events, these promising early results have set an eager tone for the rest of the Championship.