Polish crew dominates RS Venture: World Sailing gold for the white-and-red team

Earlier this year, the pair also collected medals at the World Championships in Sydney. Górnaś-Grudzień won gold in the women’s Hansa 303 category, Cichocki took silver in the Open fleet, and together they added a bronze in the double-handed Hansa 303.

Strong performance in challenging conditions

The regatta in Oman posed a unique challenge. Over five days, 30 sailors competed in three rotating fleets, as only ten boats were available. With no grand final and only one discard permitted, every race had a decisive impact on the standings. Conditions ranged from 4–5 knots to 12 knots, testing both tactical precision and adaptability.

– I’m thrilled with how we sailed together. We completed nine races and delivered a consistently strong performance – said Olga Górnaś-Grudzień, a member of the Polish National Team and the board of the Polish Sailing Association.

– The event had a very specific format, but we handled it well and won almost all our races – added Piotr Cichocki.

Format designed for fairness

The World Sailing Inclusion Championships represent a new, inclusive approach to competition for sailors with disabilities. A combined panel of medical and technical experts assessed every competitor and assigned them a score from 1 (most significant impairment) to 7 (least).

In double-handed classes such as RS Venture, the total score of both sailors could not exceed a set limit. This structure encourages mixed-ability teams and aims to reward sailing skill rather than the level of impairment.

Polish excellence under pressure

Head coach Grzegorz Prokopowicz emphasised that the non-standard race format required high levels of concentration and discipline.

– Our team performed exceptionally well. Despite an earlier setback involving a protest, any mistake on the final day could have cost us a podium position. The pressure was immense, but the sailors executed the tactical plan perfectly. We are returning home with gold, proud and highly motivated for the next season – he said.

RS Venture – a platform for inclusive competition

Cichocki and Górnaś-Grudzień competed on the RS Venture Connect, a keelboat specifically adapted for inclusive sailing. The boat is equipped with customised seating and steering systems, enabling athletes with varying levels of physical ability to compete on equal terms.

A milestone season for Poland

The gold medal in Oman adds to a remarkable year for the Polish national team, which now boasts four World Championship medals across two classes in 2024. The next World Sailing Inclusion Championships will take place in Portugal, where the Polish crew plans to defend their title.