Light Winds, Big Drama: France Crowned World Champions
.jpeg "2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships Final © Paul Wyeth/RORC")
2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships Final
The 114nm Final began at 15:00 BST on Monday 29 September, with eleven teams from Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Uruguay on the start line.
With the Solent becalmed, the race committee shifted the start west to North Head outside Hurst Narrows — a bold decision that paid off. In a gentle south-westerly, the fleet began a tense beat toward Peveril Ledge, where early tactical choices in breeze and tide quickly shook up the order.
2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships Final © Paul Wyeth/RORC
Karl Otto and Maren Magda Book (NOR 1) were first to round, chased by Théa Khelif and Thomas André (FRA 1) and Anna Merchant and Aaron Hume-Merry (NZL 1). FRA 1 soon passed into the lead at North Head. By Needles Fairway Buoy, the French extended again while Zeb Fellows and Willow Bland (GBR 2) and Uruguay’s Domi Knuppel and Fede Waksman (URU) surged into podium contention.
Through the night, FRA 1 held the advantage, though light airs near Owers allowed GBR 2 and URU to close the gap. Daybreak brought an offshore triangle between Owers, Pullar, and South Pullar — a slow, tactical chess match in fading wind. Crews kedged against the tide as positions hung in the balance.
By midday on Day Two, FRA 1 clung to a narrow lead over GBR 2, with URU pressing hard. The RORC Race Committee shortened course at West Princessa, and as the leaders charged west the wind finally returned to set up a thrilling finale.
Théa Khelif and Thomas André (FRA 1) © Paul Wyeth/RORC
At 15:37:54 BST on 30 September, Khelif and André (FRA 1) crossed the line to become World Champions. Behind them, the fight for silver was decided by inches. Having kedged side by side, GBR 2 and URU hauled anchors in unison for a frantic “Le Mans start.” Fellows and Bland (GBR 2) snatched second by just ten seconds, leaving Knuppel and Waksman (URU) with bronze.
GBR 2 & URU battle to the finish 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships Final © Paul Wyeth/RORC
Though light airs and kedging defined the final, the podium remained consistent throughout, confirming a fair and worthy outcome.
Zeb Fellows and Willow Bland (GBR 2) © Paul Wyeth/RORC
The Prize Giving will take place at 13:00 BST, Wednesday 01 October at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. A full wrap up of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships with interviews will follow.
Domi Knuppel and Fede Waksman (URU) © Paul Wyeth/RORC
