eSailing: Drama and surprises at the eSailing World Championship Semifinals

Semifinal A: The night of the raising star

Semifinal A, conducted on Saturday night, which turned out to be a tightly fought contest filled with high drama and suspense. One of the most surprising moments came when Dutch sailor Bart Lambriex, considered a favourite to reach the medal race, failed to qualify for the final race. His absence left a huge hole in the fleet and shifted the spotlight onto the fierce competition for the fifth and final qualifying spot.

Amidst the drama, a new star emerged: FSC Kazuki, the 17-year-old prodigy from Japan. Despite only starting eSailing two years ago, Kazuki has been making waves in the eSailing world. His performance in Semifinal A, where he secured the highest points, added to his growing reputation and marked him as a formidable contender in the championship.

The top five from Semifinal A were:

1. FSC-Kazuki (JPN)
2. VIT – Chico (POR)
3. Farley – RS (11th Hour Racing Team) (GBR)
4. CNS Ramón Parejo (ESP)
5. AlexK – RS (FRA)

In a gripping finale, the battle for the last slot was intense, with Alex Kowalski, the 2022 World Champion, and Japan’s muimui both demonstrating their tactical acumen. Ultimately, AlexK – RS clinched the final spot, proving that the competition remains as unpredictable as ever.

For a detailed look at the standings after Semifinal A, visit this link.

Semifinal B: Return of the champions

The Sunday afternoon session, Semifinal B, brought its own set of surprises. The unexpected elimination of prominent sailors Pepito, Amos di Benedetto and Von Pidgeon was a significant shock, disrupting expectations and altering the dynamic of the competition. Notably, GRE-9’s failure to advance to the gold fleet added to the day’s surprises.

The top five from Semifinal B were:

1. asere (FRA)
2. 42 (ITA)
3. CNS Carlos Parejo (ESP)
4. Harder (BRA)
5. FUNe_KG-R (JPN)

The medal race was intensely competitive, with seven players vying for just three positions. Asere and 42 had already secured their spots in the grand finale before the last race, which only heightened the tension as the remaining sailors fought for the last few places.

After the events of Semifinal B, the current world champion Asere will be joined in the grand final by two previous world champions: AlexK and CNS Carlos Parejo.

For a detailed look at the standings for Semifinal B, visit this link.

Looking Ahead: The Grand Finale

With the semifinals concluded, attention now turns to the grand finale in November. The top five from each semifinal have secured their places, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the 2024 eSailing World Championship. As the sailors prepare for the final showdown, fans can expect a display of the highest level of eSailing talent and strategy.