Switch Cup Guess Jeans
Dutch talent Paul Hameeteman claims victory, Genoese Federico Bergamasco runner-up, Francesco “Checco” Bruni (Luna Rossa) secures a top-ten finish
Twenty-three-year-old Dutch sailor Paul Hameeteman has won the fourth leg of the Switch Cup Guess Jeans racing circuit on Lake Como, in Dongo. The event, which serves as the international championship for the Switch One Design class, was flawlessly managed by the Circolo Vela Marvelia organizing committee.
Hameeteman, a professional sailor currently campaigning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games in the 49er class (previously securing the ILCA 6 U21 European Title in 2020, the ILCA 7 U21 European Title in 2022, and the Laser Standard/ILCA 7 U19 World Championship in 2021), edged out Genoese sailor Federico Bergamasco by a mere four points (13 to 17) after a grueling ten-race series. Bergamasco, the reigning Overall and U21 Waszp World Champion, put up a fierce fight with four bullet finishes compared to Hameeteman’s three, but it wasn’t quite enough to overhaul the formidable Dutch helmsman.
The third step of the podium went to the provisional leader of the Switch Cup Guess Jeans, Denmark’s Magnus Overbeck, who on this occasion had to settle for third against his two razor-sharp rivals. It was a hard-fought podium, with the experienced triestino Alessio Spadoni missing out on third place by just a single point (22 vs 23).
Anticipation was high for the participation of Palermo-born Francesco “Checco” Bruni, helmsman for Luna Rossa in the America’s Cup. Despite sitting out the opening day of racing, Bruni showcased his world-class caliber upon hitting the water. His subsequent scoreline allowed him to claw his way into the top ten, securing a highly commendable ninth place overall despite the initial scoring handicap. Gigi Buzzi from Mandello del Lario, president of the Switch Italian Class, narrowly missed the top ten by just a handful of points.
A competitive fleet of 17 sailors representing five nations battled it out in the 8.5 rig category. They faced the Breva—Lake Como’s signature thermal afternoon breeze blowing from the south. The wind remained below 12-14 knots, adding tactical complexity to the high-speed racing and treating spectators to spectacular foiling, constant lead changes, and breathtaking gybes and tacks.
With only one leg remaining in the circuit—scheduled for November 13-15 in Cagliari (which will also award the Italian National Title)—the battle for the leaderboard in the 8.5 division will be a straight three-way fight between provisional leader Magnus Overbeck, Federico Bergamasco, and Paul Hameeteman.
However, the definitive highlight of the season will be the Switch Globals, the Class World Championship held from October 8-11, which will crown the 8.5, 7.5, and Master champions, with Guess Jeans continuing as title partner. The following week will feature a historic milestone for the class: the first-ever Switch Youth Globals, open to U25, U23, U19, and U17 age brackets.
Switch Cup Guess Jeans – Dongo Results: (top ten, 10 races, 2 discards)
1 Paul Hameeteman (NED – 2/2/2/2/1/(3)/1/2/1/(18 RET))
2 Federico Bergamasco (ITA – 1/3/(5)/(4)/2/1/4/1/4/1)
3 Magnus Overbeck (DEN – 3/(6)/1/1/5/5/2/(6)/3/2)
4 Alessio Spadoni (ITA – (6)/1/3/3/(18 RET)/4/3/3/2/4)
5 Francesco Bertone Fresia (ITA – (8)/4/4/5/3/(8)/6/5/5/5)
6 Enzio Savoini (ITA – 5/5/7/6/7/7/(8)/7/7/(7))
7 Emanuele Savoini (ITA – 4/7/6/7/(18 UFD)/(18 UFD)/7/9/8/6)
8 Just Alexis (FRA – 7/(18 UFD)/8/11/9/6/(12)/8/9/8)
9 Francesco Bruni (ITA – (18 DNS)/18 DNS/18 DNS/18 DNS/4/2/5/4/(18 UFD)/3)
10 Enrico Tamanini (ITA – 9/8/(18 UFD)/8/(13)/11/10/11/10/11)
The 7.5 fleet was absent in Dongo, as its top athletes—who have been dominating the circuit—were away competing in their respective Olympic class championships. The 7.5 fleet will return in full force for the Worlds. This division is currently the fastest-growing in the class, expanding from three entries in Caprera to five in Campione, and reaching six in Torbole.
The Switch One Design Class
The Switch One Design is a single-handed foiling dinghy where helming skills and technique make the ultimate difference. The defining feature that gives the class its name is the ability to “switch” the sail plan on a single, identical hull. Three sail sizes—6.5, 7.5, and 8.5—allow sailors of varying weights, ages, and skill levels to race on the exact same platform, significantly minimizing crew weight as a limiting factor and making foiling highly accessible. As a strict one-design class, the boats are identical: performance on the water comes down to the sailor, not the equipment. The class boasts expanding fleets worldwide—with ten nations represented in the Italian circuit alone—and offers divisions categorized by rig size, age, weight, and gender to ensure competitive racing for a diverse fleet.
Sponsors and Partners
The circuit features Guess Jeans as Title Sponsor. The partner portfolio is completed by Banca Ceresio, Negrinautica (the Southern European distributor for the class), and CodeZero.