May 16, 2025 · Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center
After four consecutive days of still air and thick fog, the ILCA World Championships in Qingdao finally saw its first official races on Day 5.
The day began with high hopes, as the original schedule planned for a 9:00 AM start. Athletes began arriving as early as 7:00, only to be met once again by a blanket of fog so dense it rendered the harbor invisible. At 7:26, both race courses hoisted the AP flag over the numeral pennant“2,” signaling at least a two-hour postponement.
Tidal shifts were pronounced throughout the day: the first high tide at 06:41 (3.74m), a low at 13:28 (1.74m), and a return to high at 18:24 (3.76m). Winds came steadily from the east at around 7 knots under overcast skies, with good visibility and no rain—a welcome forecast for race officials and sailors alike.
The wait has been grueling for everyone involved—athletes, coaches, and race committee members. For four days, AP flags and dead air defined the mood on shore. As a writer covering the event, crafting a daily story with no racing has been its own test of endurance. But in this silence, I’ve come to understand what it means for sailing to be a sport of patience. We wait, we watch, we prepare. And we write anyway.
Finally, at 11:04, the AP flag was lowered. One minute later, the D flag was raised. Excitement surged as VHF communications confirmed: wind direction holding at 110–120°, wind speed steady at 9 knots—raceable at last.
Above the city skyline, the fog lifted into smooth layers of advection mist, wrapping Qingdao’s skyscrapers in a soft veil. Distant landmarks like the Mazu statue, long hidden from view, reappeared like signals of good fortune.
At 12:00, ILCA 6 Yellow Fleet began their first race of the regatta, followed by ILCA 7 Blue Fleet at 12:10. For the first time this week, the ILCA Worlds were officially underway.
Voices from the Water | Calm Before the Start, Fire After the Gun
Maxime Jonker (NED) – ILCA 6A seasoned competitor from the Netherlands, Maxime Jonker reflected on the delayed start:
“After four days of waiting, I’ve found some inner calm. It’s been extremely difficult for the race committee to manage this kind of weather. The fog was so thick we couldn’t even see the city. We had great conditions during the training week, but the competition has been another story. It’s out of our hands. We just keep looking forward. My teammates and I are all pushing for Olympic qualification, and of course everyone wants to be World Champion. All we can do is work harder and stay focused.”
Stefano Peschiera (PER) – ILCA 7Fresh off a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Peruvian Stefano Peschiera reflected on the extended delays:
“Three days of no wind, then a fourth of thick fog—it’s been tough for everyone, especially the organizers and race committee. But we keep learning. This is a six-day regatta, and we still have two more days to fight for the title. No matter how many races we get in, we’re not leaving empty-handed. This is my twelfth World Championship, and every time I race against the top sailors in the world, it’s a chance to grow. For me, handling pressure is all about mindset. I try to stay relaxed, stay positive, and strike when the moment is right.”
Racing Roundup | Early Leaders Emerge After Opening Rounds
With favorable winds throughout the afternoon—consistently above 6 knots—and weakening tidal currents due to the lunar calendar, race officers managed to complete several rounds across both fleets.
ILCA 6 completed three races for both Yellow and Blue Fleets.Poland’s Agata Barwinska leads the overall standings after a consistent 1–3–2 scoreline (6 points). France’s Louise Cervera, who took back-to-back wins in the second and third Blue Fleet races, stands in second. Another Polish sailor, Wiktoria Golebiowska, sits in third overall.
ILCA 7 completed two races today.
Great Britain’s Finley Dickinson tops the standings with a 1–4 score (5 points). Germany’s Ole Schweckendiek also has 5 points and is tied for first. Olympic veteran Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus posted solid results to claim third place heading into the final day.
Forecast Ahead | A Final Day of Fury
According to the latest forecast, a 20-knot northerly is expected to blow through Qingdao on Saturday—the final scheduled day of the regatta. These stronger winds, coupled with the city’s notorious swell and unpredictable shifts, are likely to shake up the leaderboard.
The waiting is over. The challenge is just beginning.