Repost: SAILING Champions League press realase
From September 26-29, 2024, the top 24 sailing clubs worldwide competed at the SAILING Champions League Final in Vilamoura, Algarve. Teams from countries including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, France, the USA, Poland, the Netherlands, and Australia delivered nail-biting performances until the final moments.
Each day started with light winds, but by midday, the conditions on the Atlantic off the Algarve coast turned into perfect "Champagne Sailing"—an ideal setting for a late-September event.
The Danish Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub dominated from the start, but the Norwegian champion Tønsberg Yacht Club fought back fiercely. Both teams, known for their years of experience and tight teamwork, battled for the top spot.
The 2023 champions, Åländska Segelsällskapet, struggled on the first day but managed a comeback on day two. Also notable was the Richmond Yacht Club from the USA, participating for the first time after securing a wildcard thanks to the introduction of the league format this year. The longest journey to Vilamoura was made by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club from Australia.
After a few setbacks, Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub secured their spot in the Final Four during the last race before the cut-off, leading to a thrilling finish. The competition was fierce, with just a few points separating the top teams. Ultimately, the Final Four included the Danish Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub, Norway's Tønsberg Yacht Club, and Finnish clubs Åländska Segelsällskapet and Esbo Segelförening, setting the stage for an epic Scandinavian showdown. While the Danes dominated overall, Tønsberg took the first race. The excitement escalated when Esbo won the second race, but Tønsberg Yacht Club took risks in the third race and stumbled at the start. Remarkably, they recovered and claimed victory, making them the champions. Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub came second and Esbo Segelförening came third.
The event was accompanied by a two-day livestream broadcasted by WedoTV in collaboration with SailTracks, giving viewers the chance to experience the excitement up close. The live coverage captured the intense racing action, allowing fans to follow their favorite teams as they fought for a spot in the Final Four.
Our initial goal was simply to break into the Top 10, so winning this race feels absolutely out of this world. Capturing the last mark turn was an unforgettable moment!", explained Tønsberg.