The Curtain Falls on the 2025 Moth Worlds: A week of Wind, Talent, and Great Sailing in Malcesine
by Fraglia Vela Malcesine 18 Jul 2025 14:04 UTC
6-13 July 2025
Prize Winners at the International Moth Worlds at Fraglia Vela Malcesine © Martina Orsini
After six intense days of racing, the 2025 Moth World Championship officially came to a close on Sunday. Hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine from July 6 to 13, this extraordinary event brought together 137 sailors from 25 countries on the waters of Lake Garda, including Olympic champions, America's Cup helmsmen, and top SailGP competitors.
The technical level of the competition was exceptionally high, with a wide range of weather conditions putting both the tactical and physical skills of the athletes to the test: from strong northerly winds and choppy waves, to lighter, more unstable breezes, and even days of complete calm that made for particularly challenging racing.
The undisputed star of the week was French sailor Enzo Balanger, who delivered a series of flawless performances to claim the 2025 Moth World Champion title, finishing 12 points ahead of Australian sailing legend Tom Slingsby, who staged a thrilling comeback in the final stages. New Zealander Jacob Pye, thanks to a second-place finish in the last race, secured third place overall and was also crowned Youth World Champion.
In the women's division, the title went to Victoria Schultheis of Malta, followed by Hattie Rogers from Great Britain and Lisa Schweigert from Germany. Brad Funk of the USA won the Master title, while Kai Adolph from Germany took home the Grandmaster title.
Each day told a different story - from the adrenaline of the opening qualifiers to the tactical battles of the Gold Fleet, through sudden storms and long dockside waits. Balanger showed unwavering consistency and adaptability, while Slingsby, Jensen, Pye, Rosenberg, Funk, and others delivered spectacular performances, making this Championship truly unforgettable.
Onshore support played a key role in the success of the event - from the Race Committee's expert management to the flawless organization by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, which delivered an international-level event with outstanding logistics, communications, and hospitality.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our partners: Frantoi Redoro, Birrerie Stiegl, Distilleria Marzadro, Cantine Tinazzi, and Speck Stube. Thanks to their support, the event was further enhanced on land with buffets, aperitifs, and dinners that made each day even more enjoyable and convivial.
The event concluded with words from Marco Carletto, President of Fraglia Vela Malcesine:
"We have hosted a truly world-class sporting event, with some of the best sailors on the planet. We are proud to have brought such a prestigious competition to Malcesine, marking an important moment for international sailing. I would like to thank all the athletes for their professionalism, the Race Committee and Jury for their outstanding work, the Fraglia staff for their dedication, and all the sponsors for their crucial support."
The 2025 Moth World Championship was made possible thanks to the invaluable support of sponsors and partners who believe in this sporting and local development project. A special thanks goes to UniCredit, title sponsor of the event, and to Falconeri, Zhik, Funivie Malcesine-Monte Baldo, Frantoi Redoro, Birrerie Stiegl, Distilleria Marzadro, Cantine Tinazzi, and Speck Stube.
The event was held under the patronage of the Veneto Region and the Municipality of Malcesine.