44Cup World Championship 2023: Thrilling Sailing Event in Brunnen, Switzerland
44Cup World Championship in Brunnen, Switzerland – Overview
21-25 August 2024
The 44Cup World Championship in Brunnen concluded today on Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne with an intense battle for the lead between Team Nika and Team Ceeref Vaider.
The 44Cup Brunnen community enjoyed a memorable evening on Lake Uri aboard a giant paddle steamer, culminating in a stunning firework display. However, the night brought a storm, with rain persisting into the morning and obscuring the majestic alpine peaks around the lake.
After the rain subsided, PRO Maria Torrijo managed to conduct three races in varied weather conditions. The first race was won by Torbjörn Törnqvist’s Artemis Racing, marking their second victory in this competitive event. Following them, the defending champions, Nico Poons’ Charisma, claimed their first race win, while Chris Bake’s Team Aqua secured their inaugural victory aboard their new RC44. Remarkably, eight out of the nine participating RC44s won races, illustrating the competitiveness of this elite owner-driver one-design class.
All eyes were on the fierce rivalry between Team Nika and Team Ceeref Vaider. Team Nika entered the final day as the top scorer, while both teams boasted a rich history of championship wins and experienced British former Olympic sailor tacticians. They started the day tied on points, with Team Ceeref Vaider ahead based on countback. Ultimately, Team Nika finished fifth in the first race while Team Ceeref Vaider took fourth. The second race saw Team Nika finish second, with Ceeref recovering to third, leading to a neck-and-neck race for the championship.
As the final race began, Team Nika positioned themselves strategically to block Team Ceeref Vaider. Despite Ceeref’s efforts to catch up, it was Team Nika that ultimately crossed the finish line ahead, securing a remarkable fourth RC44 World Championship title for Vladimir Prosikhin and his multinational crew.
“It is one of the happiest events of my life,” shared Prosikhin. “It is a very strong class, and all teams are competitive—almost any boat can win the Worlds, which is very rare. Winning this title is a privilege. I want to thank my crew, Nic [Asher], and everyone who made this victory possible.”
Nic Asher expressed his excitement, saying, “That was amazing! The conditions were unexpected but thrilling. In the last race, we managed to find the right path while Team Ceeref faced challenges from other competitors, which allowed us to maintain our position.”
Despite finishing second, Team Ceeref Vaider demonstrated their return to form, as noted by tactician Adrian Stead. “This is the best we’ve sailed as a team in a long time. Team Ceeref is back!”
The third spot went to Christian Zuerrer’s Black Star Sailing Team, achieving this milestone for the third time. Zuerrer expressed satisfaction with the event’s performance, noting that they conducted eleven races—more than any other event in the class this year—and highlighted the tight competition, with only two points separating the leading teams.
The 2024 44Cup season will conclude in Nanny Cay, Tortola from November 21-24.
2024 44Cup World Championship Brunnen Final Results: (after 11 races)
1. Team Nika – 2 1 8 2 2 3 8 2 5 2 7 – 42pts
2. Team CEEREF Vaider – 1 4 9 1 3 2 5 3 4 3 8 – 43pts
3. Black Star Sailing Team – 3 6 1 3 9 5 2 6 2 5 2 – 44pts
4. Aleph Racing – 7 2 4 4 6 7 1 1 8 4 5 – 49pts
5. Charisma – 6 3 3 6 5 9 3 5 6 1 4 – 51pts
6. Team Aqua – 5 9 5 8 8 4 6 4 3 6 1 – 59pts
7. Peninsula Racing – 4 7 6 7 1 6 4 7 7 8 3 – 60pts
8. Artemis Racing – 8 8 2 9 4 1 7 9 1 9 6 – 64pts
9. Calero Sailing Team – 9 5 7 5 7 8 9 8 9 7 9 – 83pts
2024 44Cup Overall Rankings: (after four events with one discard)
1. Team Nika – 1 2 7 1 – 4pts
2. Team CEEREF Vaider – 2 4 6 2 – 8pts
3. Artemis Racing – 8 1 2 8 – 11pts
4. Aleph Racing – 5 5 3 4 – 12pts
5. Charisma – 6 7 1 5 – 12pts
6. Black Star Sailing Team – 7 3 8 3 – 13pts
7. Team Aqua – 4 8 4 6 – 14pts
8. Peninsula Racing – 3 6 5 7 – 15pts
9. Calero Sailing Team – 9 9 10 9 – 27pts
Emily Carter, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Vancouver, has a deep-seated passion for the ocean that has shaped her career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of British Columbia, Emily has become known for her captivating and detailed storytelling. Her work vividly portrays the excitement of sailing and the distinct maritime culture of Canada, earning her a respected place in the sailing community. When not writing, Emily enjoys navigating the rugged coastlines of British Columbia and participating in local regattas, always eager to embark on her next maritime adventure.