Gdynia Sailing Days 2025: First Week Concludes with High-Stakes Racing and Meaningful Moments

Strong winds, persistent rain, and a challenging swell defined the first competition weekend. Despite the adverse conditions, race organizers successfully completed seven races across the ILCA classes, making full use of short weather windows.

ILCA Classes: Talent, Tactics, and Qualification Success

In the ILCA 4 class, Martyna Seroka (ŻLKS Poznań) delivered a dominant performance, winning most of the races in a fleet of 110 competitors. Wojciech Bortkiewicz (CHKŻ Chojnice) and Simeon Hristov (United Arab Emirates) completed the podium.

Magdalena Kwaśna (CHKŻ Chojnice), Tokyo 2020 Olympian, was unmatched in the ILCA 6 class. Her clubmate Hanna Rogowska secured silver, narrowly edging out Wojciech Wójcik (TS Kuźnia Rybnik), who claimed bronze.

In the ILCA 7 fleet, Filip Olszewski (University of Warsaw) had a standout final day, winning both races and taking overall victory. Stanisław Klimaszewski (Energa Giżycka Regatta Group) finished second, while Bartosz Andrzejak (Nauticus Olsztyn) took third.

– These were very tight races with a lot of tactical battles at every mark. Winning here gives me the funding to participate in the World and European Championships, so this result is really important – Olszewski told Daily Mare.

These regattas also served as the final qualification round for the Polish Sprint Championships, which began today, July 14, and continue through Tuesday.

– The wind was shifting a lot today – in the first race, a 15-degree left shift caught me on the far right. But in the second, I managed to finish tenth, which secured my spot in the sprints – said Maksymilian Flaczyński (MKS Dwójka Warszawa).

Hansa 303: Adaptive Sailing as Empowerment

A highlight of the first week was the Hansa 303 class, featuring adaptive sailing for sailors with disabilities. Olga Górnaś-Grudzień, a member of the Polish Yachting Association’s board and part of the national team, led from the start and held her lead despite stiff competition from Andrzej Bury and Michał Dżugan.

– I’m in Gdynia for the second time and each visit is fantastic. Conditions today were great, and we managed to avoid the rain. The mixed swell yesterday was a challenge, but I’m happy with second place – commented Andrzej Bury.

For many sailors, these events are about far more than medals.

– Sailing saved my life – I always say that. I was struggling with health issues and depression, and one day I ended up at a sailing workshop. It changed everything. I felt useful, capable, and confident. That’s when I realized this is what I want to do – shared Michał Dżugan.

He now actively invites others to join the community: – If you’re curious, reach out. You can find me on Facebook or contact the Yacht Club of the Koszalin University of Technology – we’re building something real here.

Education, Inclusion, and Sustainability

Parallel to the regattas, Gdynia Marina hosted a Sailing Picnic promoting inclusive sailing activities for people with disabilities. The first of three eco weekends also took place, featuring a beach clean-up initiative, a trash-collecting competition, and the launch of the Recycled EKO-Boat Contest. The first creative submissions have already reached the regatta office, with more expected in the coming days.

49er and 49erFX: Polish Nationals and Test Event Begin

Today also marked the start of the Polish Championships and Test Event in 49er and 49erFX classes. A total of 53 crews took to the water – 26 female teams from 14 countries and 27 male teams from 16 countries. Racing will continue throughout the week, promising elite-level competition and intense international rivalry.