Five things we learned at the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships

From integrating Para Sailing for the first time to saying farewell to a legend of the sport and crowning a new rising star, The Hague delivered drama throughout.

Here are five of the biggest takeaways:

Integration of Para Sailing a major success

The 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships saw Para Sailing included on the programme for the very first time.

Taking place in the picturesque setting of Braassemermeer, the Para Sailing saw four world champions crowned across three classes – the 2.4m Norlin OD, the RS Venture Connect and the Men’s and Women’s Hansa 303.

The last of those events provided one of the stories of the regatta, as legendary American sailor Betsy Alison – a five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year – took gold.

That in itself was impressive, but even more so when you consider she required surgery to remove a cancerous tumour on her hip in November.

Her tears of joy on the podium will remain as one of the enduring images of the entire regatta.

New Olympic classes bring added jeopardy

This regatta gave two of the new Olympic classes the platform to show why they are so exciting, and the iQFOiL windsurfing and Formula Kite kiteboarding delivered.

As well as being the two fastest events in the regatta, they also each possess a unique format, which means that nothing is decided until the final day of action.

In the iQFOiL, that meant that Israeli duo Shahar Tibi and Katy Spychakov were able to come through the semi-finals to secure a memorable windsurfing one-two.

Meanwhile, in the kiteboarding, there was no shortage of drama as defending champion Toni Vodisek (SLO) was overhauled by Singapore’s Max Maeder, with the 16-year-old claiming a first world title.

Home comforts mean home success

Five years ago in Aarhus, the Netherlands finished top of the pile to claim the IOC President’s Trophy, and they did so once again in The Hague.

A sensational showing to finish the opening series by Bart Lambriex and Floris van de Werken saw them take 49er gold, while Luuc van Opzeeland won the iQFOiL windsurfing.

That alone would have been enough to finish as the top nation, but the Dutch were also able to celebrate the success of Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz in the 49erFX, taking silver despite the latter limited by a knee injury that left her in a brace all week.

One legend departs as a new star emerges

One of the most memorable moments of the regatta came as Santiago Lange – the Argentinian sailing great, called time on his career.

Lange represented Argentina at seven Olympics, winning gold in the Nacra 17 in Rio at the age of 54, while he was also four-time world champion.

As his regatta came to a close, he was treated to a guard of honour as sailors from across the classes paid tribute to an all-time great.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 16-year-old Max Maeder announced himself to the world with a maiden world title.

While he has already been tipped for the top for a long time, having already won Youth World Championships and won silver at senior level a year ago, this was still a breakthrough moment.

After finishing the qualifying series in second place, Maeder took the two wins he needed in the final to take the gold, potentially the first of many in his career.

Rivalries add spice a year out from Paris

This regatta also offered the chance to sailors to qualify their nations for the Olympic Games in Paris, with 107 berths secured over the competition.

The Netherlands and Great Britain led the way with eight apiece, subject to confirmation, and as the clock ticks towards 2024, the anticipation will only build.

With the Olympics on the horizon, rivalries in each class are intensifying, none more so than in the ILCA 7.

For the second regatta running, Matt Wearn (AUS) got the better of Mickey Beckett (GBR), following up victory at the Paris 2024 Test Event with a maiden world title as he match-raced his way to an unassailable position in the final race of the opening series.

Meanwhile, in the Formula Kite Men, Max Maeder and Toni Vodisek look set to take their duel to Marseille, although Axel Mazella – a bronze medallist here and winner of the Test Event, will hope to get the French berth in 2024 to deny them both.

Add in the emergence of Swedish pair Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Netzler in the 49erFX, who laid down a marker by beating defending champions Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz on their home waters, and there are plenty of battles to follow over the next 12 months.

For more news from the Allianz Sailing World Championships, please visit our dedicated event website.