Summary Race Day 3 World Cup 2025
The third race day started in grey weather and with some heavy rain as the fleet moved out to the race area.
The first race began with a strong start from Anne-Sophie, Sagitta, and Ayana. Vågspel faced difficulties right at the start line, while most boats favoured the left side of the course, with a few opting for the right.
Weather conditions were challenging, with rain showers, and lightning, alongside a light 5-knot SE wind. These very light winds caused significant differences, especially on the first upwind leg.
As the fleet approached the upwind mark, tactical moves came into play: Luna tacked just ahead of Yquem II, with Anne-Sophie holding third. However, by the full mark, Pandora surged ahead of Luna, taking the lead. Starling Burgess was in third, followed by Yquem II, Ayana, and others closely trailing.
Downwind, Pandora maintained the lead rounding the mark first, with Luna close behind and Starling Burgess in third. Pandora and Luna employed differing tactics—Pandora sailing left while Luna attacked the right side of the course. Starling Burgess stayed close behind Pandora.
The second upwind leg saw a course change to port with a 45-degree turn. Pandora, Starling Burgess, and Yquem II rounded the mark in the top three, with Luna dropping to fifth. Meanwhile, Sphinx and Andromeda engaged in intense match racing.
Spinnaker handling proved tricky in the light winds, affecting boat performance.
In the final standings, Pandora claimed first place, followed by Starling Burgess and Yquem II. Falcon held fourth,with Luna rounding out the top five.
AP was hoisted due to light wind conditions, causing a nearly 60-minute delay before the second race started in good wind condition of about six knots from SW. Yquem II, Vågspel, and Pandora had a strong start, with Sagitta and Swedish Ilderim close behind. Most boats began on the left side of the course but soon tacked right. At the upwind mark, Starling Burgess led strongly, Yquem II following closely in second, with Pandora now in third. Falcon attacked tacked before IF, while Ayana and Luna hold fourth and fifth respectively.
Starling Burgess led early on the downwind leg, rounding the downwind mark first and heading to the right side of the track. Luna and Falcon reached the downwind mark together—Luna went left, Falcon right. Ayana, Yquem II, and Pandora showed varied tactics on both sides of the course.
Starling Burgess again approached the upwind mark first, Falcon made great progress to round third, followed by Ayana, Pandora, and If. At the finish, Yquem II pulled clear just ahead of Falcon, with Ayana fourth. IF managed to pass Luna just before the finish line and came in fifth, with Luna sixth.
Racing finished in good wind, about 10knots, with spinnakers flying well. Cheers from today’s winner Starling Burgess, who were almost out of beer on the way back!
We must praise the Swedish team on s/y Varg, they are truly sailing for the joy sailing and being part of the spectacular regatta. They are always smiling and fighting to the end!
A final note goes to the Security team out at the waters. As Airisto is a race area with a lot of boat and ship traffic and main fairways, the security boats has been busy with trying to guide spectator boats so they stay out of the way and at some occasions they even politely asked a Finnish Army ship to steer away from the race course. Hurray for our security heroes!
