ILCA 7
Jonatán Vadnai HUN is the new ILCA 7 Men’s World Champion, sealing the title today with a 4-1 in the Final Series races for 47 points. It’s the first time a Hungarian sailor has won the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship, and also the country’s first-ever medal in the event.
Racing started in around 7 knots of wind and flat water, quickly building to 13–14 knots with some wave as the day progressed, before settling into a more variable range of 7–14 knots.
Jonatán Vadnai HUN reflected on his historic win:
“Yesterday I had a super tough day, and thanks to this new format, I was back in the game. I just went for it, and I’m so happy I managed to do it. It was so intense — I had so many thoughts in my head on that last downwind, with the wind on the left and pressure building on the right. It was really tough conditions.”
“I knew that nothing was lost. I had a good first half of the week, so my points were low, and I knew it was going to be a showdown today. Whoever performed well here today could even get the title, but for sure get a medal.”
“I’ve been sailing this boat since I was a little kid, and I’ve always looked up to the idols in this class and the World Championship titles. We have this beautiful blue plaque with the biggest names in sailing, and to write my name there is just really incredible — especially coming from Hungary. We’re not a huge sailing nation, and it means so much. I believe we have a lot of talent coming up, but we haven’t had many results yet — we’re starting to perform. So I hope the young guys back home can see this and jump in a boat, and feel motivated that they can do it too.”
Matt Wearn AUS produced a dominant final day, winning the first race and finishing second in the next to leap from ninth overnight into the Silver medal position — his seventh ILCA 7 Worlds medal, now two Gold, four Silver and a Bronze. Mickey Beckett GBR takes Bronze after a 7-5, finishing tied with Wearn on 48 points — his third ILCA 7 Worlds medal, following a Silver in 2023 and a Bronze in 2024.
Matt Wearn AUS reflected on a thrilling final day:
“With the scenario of two races, going out and winning the first one, it was like, yeah, this could be on. Things were falling into place, with other people not getting great results. But the second one was a hectic race — there were position changes from first to last and back again, all the way through the fleet. It wasn’t over until it was over.”
“Crossing the finish line, I didn’t really have any idea what the scores were. I knew it was going to be super close, but to come away with a Silver medal feels pretty good. I think it’s probably a bit of experience showing — I’ve had plenty of regattas over the years where it hasn’t gone well and I haven’t been able to pick myself up, and you learn from that too. This year has been really good for me, and I haven’t had to do that as much — a bit of a shame it happened at the Worlds, so I just had to keep chipping away. It goes to show you need to keep the consistency there and save every point you can, to make sure you’re in the hunt towards the end of the regatta.”
“It’s quite a quick turnaround before the next Worlds — and that’s the first country qualification event too, when things really kick off for LA. Eyes firmly set on that.”
Lorenzo Chiavarini ITA finishes fourth with a 2-4, level on 49 points with overnight leader Elliot Hanson GBR, who scored 8-10 in fifth.
Local sailor Finn Lynch IRL rounds out a strong week in eighth place, scoring 6-3 for 54 points.
Final Results — Top 10
- Jonatán Vadnai HUN – 47
- Matt Wearn AUS – 48
- Michael Beckett GBR – 48
- Lorenzo Chiavarini ITA – 49
- Elliot Hanson GBR – 49
- Tonči Stipanović CRO – 50
- Ryan Lo SGP – 50
- Finn Lynch IRL – 54
- Finley Dickinson GBR – 54
- Nicholas Halliday HKG – 59
The event was organised by the National Yacht Club and Royal St George Yacht Club, in conjunction with ILCA. It was supported by premium sponsors Sport Ireland and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and associate sponsors Rooster, The Royal Marine Hotel, XOCEAN, and KPMG.