Polish 49erFX teams claim silver and bronze at junior European championships

Polish sailors delivered an outstanding performance at the junior European championships in the Olympic 49erFX class, securing both silver and bronze medals in challenging conditions off the coast of Sicily.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 10.11.2025, 13:11 Reading time: 3 min

Five sailors from the 49erFX class pose with raised fists on a boat at sea — fot. Polski Związek Żeglarski

In brief

Polish female sailors won silver and bronze medals at the Junior European Championships in the 49erFX class in Sferracavallo, Sicily. Ewa Lewandowska and Anna Zwara became vice champions, Klara Sobczak and Magdalena Skórnóg took third place, and the gold went to Germany's Katharina Schwachhofer and Elena Stoltze. In light winds and rain, only eight races were held over four days, including one on the final day. In the 49er class, Mateusz Gwóźdź and Krzysztof Królik finished in 8th place.

The title of junior European vice champions went to Ewa Lewandowska and Anna Zwara (KS AZS AWFIS Gdańsk / MKŻ Arka Gdynia), ambassadors of PGE Sailing Team Poland. The bronze medal was claimed by Klara Sobczak and Magdalena Skórnóg (Chojnicki Klub Żeglarski / Nauticus YC Olsztyn). The gold went to Germany’s Katharina Schwachhofer and Elena Stoltze.

Unpredictable weather, steady performance

The regatta took place in Sferracavallo, Sicily, under notoriously tricky weather conditions – light and shifting winds combined with periods of heavy rain. Over four days, only eight races were completed, including a single race on the final day. Despite the limited racing, both Polish crews held their ground and concluded the 2025 season with podium finishes.

- We are junior European vice champions! In the end, we only raced for two full days and one race on the last day. We had some equipment issues, but we managed to stay focused on our goal and finish second. We’re really happy with this result, said Ewa Lewandowska, who was named youth sailor of the year just a year ago and now celebrates her first international success in an Olympic class.

Her crew partner, Anna Zwara, highlighted the team’s adaptability:

- Sicily gave us everything – from strong breeze to light air, sun and rain. We’ve learned to adapt to all conditions, and that played to our advantage.

A battle against the clock

The silver medal did not come easily. On the penultimate day of racing, Lewandowska and Zwara suffered a broken gennaker halyard moments before the first start, forcing them to return ashore for a mast change.

- Everything happened incredibly fast. We knew that if we didn’t act immediately, we’d lose our chance to compete in the next races. I towed the girls back to shore, and with the support team we replaced the mast at record speed. They returned to the start line just minutes before the second race, said Nadia Zielińska, coach of the Polish Sailing Association’s national junior team.

- We focused on the moment and did everything possible with the time we had left, added Anna Zwara.

Double Polish success

The bronze medal for Sobczak and Skórnóg added to Poland’s impressive tally.

- The weather was tough and rainy, but the races that took place were good quality. We feel great about this result, said Klara Sobczak.

- We’re happy with our teamwork. Sicily didn’t spoil us with sunshine, but we’re going home with a medal, added Magdalena Skórnóg.

Strong showing in 49er class

In the men’s 49er class, Mateusz Gwóźdź and Krzysztof Królik (KS AZS AWFIS Gdańsk / CHKŻ Chojnice) finished 8th overall. The gold medal went to Ireland’s Ben O’Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain.

Poland’s young sailors have once again confirmed their status among Europe’s top performers in youth sailing. Two medals in the Olympic 49erFX class mark a strong conclusion to the 2025 season and a promising step toward future international success.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier