A day of waves, champions and celebration
Spanish sailors Jordi Xammar and Nora Brugman became world champions for the first time in their careers after being runners-up in the two previous editions. British duo Vita Heathcote and Chris Grube secured the second position, while the Japanese pair Keiju Okada and Miho Yoshioka claimed the third spot.
The 470 World Championship concluded with a day that couldn’t be held on the water due to waves reaching up to three meters high, preventing boats from sailing in the race area. The title was decided based on the results from the previous day, maintaining the excitement and joy of the event.
This has been the final major event before the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing together the world’s best sailors in the two-person Olympic class. Over six days, the 61 boats from 26 different countries gathered at the Club Nàutic S’Arenal, competing for the world title and the last available Olympic slots. The championship followed an 11-race format, divided into three phases: Qualifying Series, Final Series, and Medal Race. The Medal Race, reserved for the top ten in the overall standings, couldn’t take place due to extreme sea conditions. The final rankings were determined by the results of the Final Series.
Spanish sailors Jordi Xammar and Nora Brugman were the most consistent among the title contenders.
Xammar and Brugman, who have been partnered since 2019, have shown significant progression and a high level in this Olympic cycle, clinching two European championships (2019 and 2021), a silver medal at the Enoshima World Cup (2021), and a bronze medal at the Paris Test Event (2021). With this world title, the Spaniards solidify themselves as one of the favorites to step onto the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they have already secured their spot since 2019.
British sailors Vita Heathcote and Chris Grube were the standout surprise of the championship, securing the silver medal after a spectacular comeback. Heathcote and Grube, who have been sailing together since 2020, had modest results in previous competitions and arrived in Mallorca without an Olympic slot for their country. Nevertheless, they adeptly capitalized on the variable conditions in the Bay of Palma, gradually climbing the leaderboard to claim the second spot overall. With this medal, the British not only earned the world runner-up title but also secured the Olympic berth for Great Britain, a qualification that eluded them in the 2021 World Championship.
Japanese sailors Keiju Okada and Miho Yoshioka completed the podium with the bronze medal after defending the world title they secured in 2023. Okada and Yoshioka, who have been sailing together since 2017, dominated the first part of the championship, leading the standings for three days. However, they couldn’t maintain the pace when the wind intensified, relinquishing the top spot to the Spanish team. Nevertheless, the Japanese managed to hold onto their podium position and also claimed the national championship in their country, which was contested simultaneously with the world championship. With this outcome, the Japanese secured the Olympic berth for Japan, which they had already secured as the host country since 2019.
From the press boat, I have been able to witness up close the development of this championship, which has been one of the most intense and contested that I have ever seen. With my camera, I’ve captured the various weather conditions that have tested the sailors, from the light and unstable wind in the early days to the strong wind and waves on the penultimate day. I’ve seen the sailors adapt to each situation, make difficult decisions, make mistakes, climb positions, and above all, give their all on the water.
A special mention to the entire communication team, who, as always, make your job easier and exemplify a level of professional quality that always provides knowledge, experience, and enjoyment.
Source: 470 World Championship Communication Office
IMAGES: Villegas Photo
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