Dubai, UAE – 3 December 2025
Charlotte Borghesi and her elite all-female crew emerged as the outright champions of the Wicked SB20 Middle East & UAE Championships, held last weekend at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC).
Dominant Performance in a World-Class Fleet
The championship featured a 25-boat SB20 one-design fleet, competing over three days in light to moderate wind conditions. The regatta attracted an impressive lineup of Olympic medallists, world champions, and top international sailors, raising the level of competition across the fleet.
Skippering Kidzink, Borghesi was joined by:
- Federica Salvà – Two-time Italian 470 Olympic representative
- Lovisa Karlsson – Swedish 470 Olympic bronze medallist (Paris 2024)
- Pippa Kenton-Page – British Olympic gold medallist (Yngling, Beijing 2008)
As both the reigning Women’s World Champion and a former Overall SB20 World Champion, Borghesi delivered another standout performance—yet she acknowledged the challenges of the event.
“Conditions were super tricky this year with very light and shifty winds,” Borghesi said. “With such a high-quality fleet of local and international sailors, the racing demanded complete focus from start to finish.”
A Family of Champions
The Borghesi family showcased exceptional talent across the fleet:
- Charlotte Borghesi – 1st place overall
- Paolo Borghesi (Koda) – 3rd overall
- William Borghesi (Wind Warriors), age 11 – 6th overall
Borghesi praised her son’s remarkable performance:
“William and his team reached the top mark in the top three in almost every race—super impressive for such young sailors.”
Advancing Women in Sailing
Borghesi emphasized the team’s mission to promote women in the sport:
“My crew is exceptional—three Olympians with two medals on board. Beyond competition, we are committed to growing women’s participation in sailing. We aim to remain predominantly female across all the classes we compete in.”
She confirmed the team’s upcoming plans:
- Continued SB20 campaigns in Dubai
- Competing at key international events, including the 2026 SB20 Worlds in France
- Entering the Swan 28 class, traditionally male-dominated
- Racing on the RS21 circuit in Italy
A Growing Championship in the Middle East
Now in its third consecutive year, and its second year integrated with the SARF National Championships, the Wicked SB20 Middle East & UAE Championships is becoming a premier racing event in the region.
Michal Pajak, skipper of SuperSonic and SB20 UAE Class Chairman, delivered an exceptional final day (2,3,2), winning the Corinthian Trophy and finishing 7th overall.
Pajak said:
“We’re proud of the SB20 community we’ve built in Dubai. This weekend featured world-class competition with Olympians and world champions on the start line. Huge congratulations to Team Kidzink for an outstanding and well-deserved win.”
Corinthian Fleet Highlights
- 1st Corinthian: SuperSonic – Michal Pajak
- 2nd Corinthian: Ragged Edge – Tom Cracknell
- 3rd Corinthian: Old Spice – Alan Ruigrok
Ruigrok, finishing 9th overall, added:
“Despite light winds, the race committee delivered a full series. Racing against such high-calibre sailors on home waters is a privilege, and we’re excited to continue building momentum.”
Looking Ahead: Next Big Event at DOSC
The SB20 fleet will return to the water for the IRC Middle East Championship, scheduled for 13–14 December 2025 at DOSC. Over 100 boats are expected to compete across dinghy, sportsboat, and keelboat classes.
Borghesi concluded:
“Racing standards in Dubai continue to rise. DOSC and its volunteers always deliver world-class events. Completing nine competitive races in such tricky conditions was an impressive accomplishment.”
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