Yesterday marked the conclusion of the European Nacra 17 Championships at the Sferracavallo Sailing Club in Palermo (Circolo Velico Sferracavallo), where Dutch sailors Willemijn Offerman and Scipio Houtman claimed the title of European Champions. Competing over five days against 13 international teams, the Italian duo Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei secured second place, taking home the silver medal and cementing their position among Europe’s top sailors. Belgium’s Kwinten and Lieselotte Borghijs completed the podium, also winning the Junior European Champion title.
The final standings were decided using an innovative race format. Teams competed in six qualifying races over the first four days, with the top two (Netherlands and Italy) advancing to the finals. The Netherlands emerged victorious in a best-of-two match race.
“This place is my lucky charm,” joked champion Scipio Houtman. “The last time I was here with Team Dutch Sail in 2021, we won the Sferracavallo 69F Foil Cup. Now we’ve won this European title. I can’t wait to come back.”
Willemijn Offerman, the new champion, expressed her gratitude: “It’s been an incredible experience, and we’re thrilled with the outcome. Though we spent a lot of time waiting for the wind, the organizers made the best of it. Sincere thanks to the jury, the race committee, and the Sferracavallo Sailing Club.”
The Italian team of Ugolini and Giubilei also expressed their satisfaction: “Competing at ‘home’ was special. This was a challenging week with constantly shifting conditions, but we’re pleased with our performance. We gave it our all, but the second match race proved particularly challenging. Congratulations to Willemijn and Scipio on their victory, and a huge thank you to the Sferracavallo Sailing Club for their hospitality.”
In the Junior Nacra 17 category, Belgium’s Kwinten and Lieselotte Borghijs—who also hold the 2024 Junior World Champion title—were followed by compatriots Lucas Claeyssens and Eline Verstraelen, with Australians Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown taking third.
Though weather conditions posed challenges throughout the week, the championship races were exciting and well-fought, with two races on Wednesday, four on Friday, and two final match races yesterday.
“We are deeply honored,” said Giuseppe Giunchiglia, President of the Sferracavallo Sailing Club, “to have hosted the European Nacra 17 Championships, welcoming athletes, coaches, and judges from around the world. This has been one of the most significant international events we’ve hosted to date. It’s a milestone for our club, marking further growth in European sailing. We owe this event’s success to the Municipality of Palermo, the Nacra 17 class, FIV, our sponsors, and especially to everyone who helped ensure the races were conducted safely and smoothly. With this championship behind us, we’re now focused on preparing for the Sferracavallo International Optimist Race, which will take place in the first weekend of December.”
The event, organized by the Sferracavallo Sailing Club with the Nacra 17 class and Palermo’s Department of Tourism and Sports, saw 18 boats and 36 sailors from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States competing.
Full results available here:
Complete Results
Photo Link: Photos
Article and video from the National RAI news: https://www.rainews.it/tgr/sicilia/video/2024/11/vela-al-via-in-campionati-europei-nacra-17-a-sferracavallo-05a11e87-ca34-4f05-9699-06816e2f53f0.html
