Champion Berntsson Takes Dramatic Charge in the 2025 Bermuda Gold Cup Amid Intriguing Tactics and Fierce Competition

This latest edition of the Bermuda Gold Cup sees a dramatic sea showdown between defending champion Johnie Berntsson from Sweden and USA’s Chris Poole, climaxing in a flawless performance by Berntsson. In a race awash with penalties and drama, Berntsson navigated through the turbulent waters to emerge victorious. Victory was also tasted against opponents Garreta from France, former match racing world champion Nick Egnot-Johnson from New Zealand, and Great Britain’s Ian Williams. Complemented by Swiss skipper Eric Monnin, Berntsson currently holds the yachting world in thrall as he ascends the leaderboard of the prestigious cup.

In the women’s field, the Aspen Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Regatta pits Sweden’s Anna Östling against defending champion Pauline Courtois from France. It’s turning out to be quite the epic duel, with Courtois managing to rebound from a disappointing opening day by securing wins in all three races.

After the stormy start, Berntsson was thrilled with the hard-fought victory. He said, ‘It was two penalties each and good, fun racing.’ Speaking about his duel with Poole, he said, ‘We gained after the start, passed him, and they came back at the second upwind mark and locked us up. Then we overtook him, did a gybe and he got a penalty.’ This tactical manoeuvre was pivotal in defining the race and ultimately shaped up an exciting competition - a testament to the spirit of yacht racing.