Breakthrough Victory at the 2025 SB20 Middle East Championships: Borghesi's All-Female Crew Seizes the Title

Charlotte Borghesi’s all-female team made waves in the sailing world with an outright victory at the prestigious 2025 Wicked SB20 Middle East & UAE Championships. The event, which hosted a fleet of 25 one-design SB20 sportsboats, played out from the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) across three days that tested skillsets and adaptability in varying wind conditions.

Borghesi was joined by fellow sailing prodigies, including two-time Italian 470 Olympic representative Federica Salvà, Swedish 470 Olympic bronze medallist from Paris 2024, Lovisa Karlsson, and British Olympic gold medallist from Beijing 2008, Pippa Kenton-Page. This powerhouse line-up certainly helped the team’s chances. But it wasn’t just about the impressive crew. The skipper’s strategic prowess and decisive moves significantly contributed to the decisive victory.

But it wasn’t just the women of the Borghesi family gracing the winners’ podium. Paolo Borghesi, Charlotte’s husband, and their young son William both showed their own prowess in the water, finishing third and sixth overall respectively. The family’s success cemented the Borghesi name as formidable competitors within the world of SB20 racing.

Such a significant result is not just a victory for Borghesi and her crew, but also a stride forward in furthering gender diversity within the realm of sailing. It is hoped that this will pave the way for more women to helm their own victories in the sport’s future.