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By Women's World Match Racing Tour
New Zealand's Megan Thomson and her 2.0 Racing Team made a flawless start to the 2025 World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship on Lake Michigan, scoring four wins from four races in challenging light conditions on Day One.
Defending world champion Pauline Courtois from France and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team also won both of their first two races in the opening qualifying round-robin.
After a short postponement ashore, the 2025 women’s world championship event got underway in light 4-6 knot conditions with the 12 competing teams from seven countries scheduled into their respective matches in the opening round-robin stage. The top eight teams from the round-robin will advance to the quarter-final stage.
Despite the Windy City’s famous skyline providing a dramatic backdrop, conditions on the lake proved anything but straightforward. Light and shifty breezes drifting in from the north-east tested crews throughout the day, with constant pressure changes demanding patient boat handling.
Kiwi Thomson and her 2.0 Racing Team, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, looked composed and confident in the tricky conditions, making them the standout performers on the opening day.
Two teams - 2.0 Racing Team and Edge Women's Match - are representing New Zealand at the world championships in Chicago. Photos / Hannah Lee Noll
"It was a challenging day for everyone today in the light airs," added Thomson. "The girls did a great job getting us around the course and most importantly keeping us moving in the variable conditions, we are certainly hoping the breeze will fill in over the next few days."
France’s Courtois and her Match in Pink Team also posted strong results winning their two races of the day against Denmark's Lea Richter Vogelius and New Zealand's Celia Willison. As defending women's match racing world champion, Courtois is a favourite to defend her team's crown.
With just four flights completed before race officer Anne Malledant cancelled racing for the day due to the light airs, the12 teams still have plenty of racing in the qualifying round-robin stage to make the cut for the quarters. With the forecast promising continuing light airs and warm weather, consistency and patience will be key for all teams over the coming days.
Live results here.
