Snipe Worlds – Plotting the Course – Episode 10
From the Origins to Mahon
We continue our journey through the history of the Snipe World Championships following the previous episodes of our series. In this feature, we look back at the landmark World Championships that defined the class in recent years. Rather than offering a mere statistical record, our primary focus remains on the atmosphere, the human stories, and the high-level tactical battles—wherever possible, as told by the sailors and race officers who lived them on the water.
As we approach present day, the material—news, comments, photos, videos, and interviews—becomes much more abundant, and our (and your) personal memories grow far more vivid.
2015 Snipe Worlds – XLVII – Talamone, Italy (September 21–26, 2015)
Tavares & Carvalho Win the Worlds; Brazil Wins 4th Worlds – Snipe Bulletin Fall 2015
Day 1
The Snipe World Championship in Talamone, Italy could have not started in a better way. Blue skies, crystal blue water, the Islands of Giglio, Elba and Montecristo etched against the horizon served as a beautiful backdrop. The Mistral wind at 13-15 knots for race 1 increased to 17-19 knots for the second race creating ideal conditions for the 83 teams from 18 nations. Damian Borras & Carlos Bats Años (ESP) led after the first day with a third and a first. Race 1 was won by Andalusian Raul de Valenzuela and Antolin Alejandre de Oña. Given the wind and sea conditions, both races were extremely physically demanding. Crews returned ashore exhausted but at the same time exhilarated by the breathtaking sailing conditions on Snipe Bay.
Day 2
Hard day on the water for the Race Committee, chaired by Fabio Barasso. Due to the wind shifts that oscillated between northerly Tramontana in the morning and northwesterly Mistral that could not settle in the afternoon, only one race was completed.
“The Race Committee did a commendable job today under very trying conditions. The wind was not only oscillating 10-20 degrees, but also changing in velocity during the race from 10-20 knot puffs. After several attempts for a second race, it was decided to postpone to ensure the sailors would all have better conditions tomorrow.”
Race 3 was led for four of the five legs by the Japanese Sasai-Ishikawa, but was finally won by the Spaniards Jordi Triay Pons/Luis Mas Barceló who were able to roll the Japanese from the left side of the course in the final upwind leg.
For Race 4, the wind increased to 11-12 knots, with 18 year old Brazilian skipper Felipe Santa Rita with 19 year old Luis Felipe Meirelles as crew. The two ranked 2nd overall in the previous week’s Junior Worlds.
Day 3
Heavy duty sailing and good seamanship were called for on day 3 of racing. Race 5 was completed with Mario Calazans-Daniel Seixas (BRA) crossing the finish line 1st. For safety reasons, race 6 was abandoned when a gale swept through Snipe Bay with winds on the race course reaching 26-30 knots.
A good call by the Race Committee chaired by Fabio Barasso who could also count on the on-the-water safety team of the Circolo della Vela Talamone to ensure all 83 crews from 18 nations could return safely to shore. Spaniards Soto Valero-Belmonte Cuenca dismasted and were towed into port.
Day 4
After 6 races and one discard, Luis Soubie-Diego Lipszyc (ARG) had a 26 point lead (4-6-8-3-(11)-5). However, four teams followed in a two-point range: Alvaro Martinez-Gabriel Utrera (ESP) at 43 points (16-(84 OCS)-15-6-5-1), Manu Hens-Victor Perez Campos (BEL) also with 43 points, Augie Diaz – Kathleen Tocke (USA) with 43 points whereas Mateus Tavares-Gustavo Carvalho (BRA) were in 5th place at 44 points.
“We came here to race as well as we possibly can and must be able to handle every situation,” stated Luis Soubie.
Day 5
The Race Committee attempted to start several races, but the fleet stormed the line over and over again resulting in numerous general recalls. Notwithstanding the sunny skies, flat seas and nice breeze, only one race was completed. Former Snipe World Champion Alexandre Tinoco won Race 7. Tinoco-Grael (BRA) led the first three legs of the windward-leeward course but was rolled by Tavares-Carvalho (BRA) on the second downwind leg. A wind shift to the right in the last upwind leg allowed him to make up the distance and take the lead once again, crossing the finish line ahead of Jordi Triay-Luis Barcelo (ESP) and Raul de Valenzuela-Alejandre de Ona, third.
Day 6
Brazilian Mateus Tavares & Gustavo Carvalho are the 2015 Snipe World Champions with 51 points having managed to close the gap with Louis Soubie-Diego Lipszyc (ARG), who had led the standings for the entire week and finish second at 59 points. Third on the podium, Alvaro Martinez-Gabriel Utrera (ESP) at 61 points.
“Today in the final race, keeping our opponents in check or attacking was very difficult. We decided to give it all that we had and when we saw that Louis Soubie was buried in the second half of the fleet, we focused on stretching our lead, hoping that he would not be able to close the gap. It all worked out and neither Gustavo nor I can believe we are 2015 Snipe World Champions!”
“This is an incredible joy” stated Mateus Tavares still on the water with 17-year old Gustavo Carvalho. “Our goal in Talamone was to finish in the top ten and we never expected to win the World Championship! The week was quite challenging, but at one point, the provisional scoreboard showed an opening and we realized we had a chance. Today in the final race, keeping our opponents in check or attacking was very difficult. We decided to give it all that we had and when we saw that Louis Soubie was buried in the second half of the fleet, we focused on stretching our lead, hoping that he would not be able to close the gap. It all worked out and neither Gustavo nor I can believe we are 2015 Snipe World Champions!”
“The fact Luis came over to shake our hand meant a lot to us”
Immediately after crossing the finish line in 23rd position, Argentinians Louis Soubie-Diego Lipszyc heartily congratulated Tavares-Carvalho on their victory while the Brazilians were celebrating with fellow compatriots by diving in the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A mark of true sportsmanship. “The fact Luis came over to shake our hand meant a lot to us”, stated Tavares.
The Race
The final race, Race 8, was sailed with a westerly breeze between 7 and 9 knots that later in the day shifted to the left. Soubie-Lipszyc had to defend the 12-point lead but after sailing on the left side of the course, the Argentinian duo rounded mark 1 in 14th position while Tavares-Carvalho were fourth at the end of the beat. Down the first run, the Brazilians moved into the lead while the Argentinians lost boats, rounding the left mark at the leeward gate more or less 20th. The rest of the race was all about Tavares-Carvalho controlling the fleet on the one hand and about Soubie-Lipszyc desperately attempting to recover positions to cross the finish line in 13th place or better, which would have ensured their victory of the World title after a week spent at the head of the leaderboard. Game over for Argentina with Brazilian Tavares-Carvalho who crossed the finish line in 2nd place and started counting the number of boats between them and Soubie-Lipszyc. Two, three, ten, fourteen… Soubie-Lipszyc (ARG) crossed the finish line 23rd and Tavares-Carvalho (BRA) became the 2015 Snipe World Champions.
In his “From the Commodore” column, Ricardo Lobato reflects on the World Championships in Talamone, Italy, highlighting how the event perfectly embodied the class motto of “Serious Sailing, Serious Fun.” With large fleets of 83 boats in the Senior event and 36 in the Juniors, competitors enjoyed tactical racing on classic windward/leeward, Olympic, and triangle courses with target times of 60 to 75 minutes. Lobato emphasizes that the Snipe Class remains committed to high race quality through strict rules of conduct, which enforce controlled wind limits and strictly restrict allowable wind shifts on the first upwind leg.
Addressing the event’s schedule and race management, Lobato notes that while the target format remains nine races over five days, feedback from sailors indicated a desire for less waiting time on the water, potential use of the U flag during difficult conditions, and a discussion on whether to keep a free day during major championships. He also discusses the class’s strict one-design rule, pointing out its success in keeping racing fair and accessible. This is demonstrated by the fact that the last three World Championships were won by boats from three different builders—Zeltic, Diemar, and DB Marine—with the 2015 title being claimed on a chartered boat. Additionally, Chief Measurer Antonio Espada introduced proposals aimed at simplifying and streamlining future measurement procedures.
Photos: Matias Capizzano
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2017 Snipe Worlds – XLVIII – La Coruña, Spain (August 7–14, 2017)
Raul Rios: “Sailing in A Coruña might have been one of the hardest racing courses I have experienced. Some of the reasons why it was such a hard event was the competitiveness of the fleet, the variability of each upwind and to some extent how we woke up every day to a new wind direction. In order to be able to manage all this, we took things step by step and kept a cool mind no matter what happened.”
Senior World Championship: Raul Rios & Mac Agnese Take Top Honors
La Coruña, Spain — August 7–14, 2017
The Snipe family sailed their 2017 World Championship in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. And even though we sailors thought that a bigger Worlds than the one in Rio 2013 and Talamone 2015 would be hard to run, the Spanish fleet came up with a fantastic event. The venue couldn’t have been better. Sunny, windy, challenging and tough conditions were present for both the Junior and Senior Worlds.
I’m lucky enough to have sailed in many Snipe Worlds and I can tell you without a doubt, this was the highest level Snipe regatta ever. We had all our latest World, Western, South American, North American and European Champions, and Champions from other classes too. The level of competition was incredible and challenging, proved by the fact that in the last race many sailors could have become the World Champions. The best did.
We have a great new World Champion. I had the chance to see (and suffer) Raul Rios’ sailing during the past three or four years, and while he is very young, he has the sailing maturity of a veteran. Easy to understand how he was also an Optimist World Champion. He was the best at A Coruña, no doubt of it, so congrats Raul and Mac Agnese for a fantastic regatta and super fair sailing!
In addition, the fleets of ESP and BRA showed an incredible level of sailing, taking all the positions from 2nd to 11th, with no Brazilians and only 2 Spanish in the silver fleet. Amazing level. Fantastic crews that fought for five days in hard conditions, staying in top of the results.
Organization
The event organizing committee took care of everything. Thanks to Martin Bermudez (SCIRA Spain National Secretary and European Secretary). We had fantastic measurement installations and staff, one of the best Principal Race Officers I’ve ever seen (Cesar Sans), and a great jury that did a fantastic job. The safety on the water was great; I had the chance to use it and they took care of me fast, safe, and with expertise.
For future events, we must agree that having a tent with food and drinks for when we came back from racing should be a MUST. It was fantastic to recover our energy and to have the chance to sit and talk with friends from other countries.
Prize giving ceremonies were short and nice. If I have to mention something I would change, it would be only that at registration I would give a backpack for the skipper and crew, or none at all; and that it would be good to have T-shirts and hats for sale, to bring a memory home.
The Galicia food was memorable (if you failed to try “Pulpo a feria” and “Pimientos de padrón” you were not there…) and the experience simply fantastic.
We the people of the SCIRA Board, guided by our Commodore Gweneth Crook are working very hard on finding venues and clubs to host bigger and better events, with more social activities and more fun for us all. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and give us your opinions and suggestions, regarding this or any other issue.
— Luis Soubie
Interview with the winners – just after the last race
Pietro Fantoni: “In La Coruna we split, for the first time in the history of the Snipe World Championship, the boats in two fleets: Yellow and Blue fleet for the qualifying series (5 races) and Gold and Silver for the final series (6 races). 85 boats in total competed for the 2017 Worlds, at the 2015 Worlds in Talamone the boats on the same starting line were 83.”
Photos: Matias Capizzano
Read also:
After some issues in Talamone managing a large fleet and following the positive experience of the 2016 European Championship, for the first time at a Snipe World Championship in La Coruña, the fleet was split into two during a qualifying series and then divided into Gold and Silver Fleets. Below is an article published immediately after the 2017 Worlds.
2019 Snipe Worlds – XLIX – Ilhabela, Brazil (October 7–12, 2019)
During 2018 and 2019, the Snipe Class collaborated with sailing journalist Rachele Vitello, who wrote the following press releases during the Snipe Worlds in Ilhabela. The official photographer was the great Matias Capizzano. And the SSL provided the bibs for the sailors. In addition, the races were broadcast by a media team and commented on by the late Luis Borba (you can find many excerpts of these videos, as well as daily highlights, on the SnipeToday YouTube channel).
Day 1
Ilhabela, Brazil, October 8, 2019
LIGHT WINDS AND DRIZZLE ALLOW ONLY ONE RACE ON DAY ONE OF THE 2019 SNIPE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2019 Snipe World Championship took off today in Ilhabela, Brazil, with the first and only race of the day. The 70 teams from 11 countries arrived at the Escola de Vela Lars Grael, in the morning to get the boats ready for the most important event of the year for SCIRA, the Snipe Class International Racing Association.
A little postponement ashore and then everyone was off on the water canal that stretches between the island of Ilhabela and the cost of São Sebastião in the South East of Brazil. The wind was coming from the South at about 7-8 knots with a very cloudy skies.
A couple of general recalls and then racing was on with two Japanese teams first and second at the windward mark, followed by the Americans Asher Zittrer and Watt Duffy. At the gate the Japanese duo, Naoki Inoue and Masataka Kojima, were still first followed by Zittrer/Duffy and by the Brazilian team Rafael Gagliotti and Henrique Wisniewski. The order stayed the same up to the final leg that goes from the bottom gate to the finish, where the young American skipper Asher Zittrer took over the Japanese and was the first one to cross the line, claiming the first bullet of the series.
“I have been working and training with Asher for a year, but he’s done a lot more different sailing on his own” says crew Watt Duffy, “We have great communication and when Asher helms like he did today, we’re on fire and it makes it look like it is so easy, but it’s not!”
“Yes, we have great communication onboard, a simple and easy vocabulary” confirmed 18 year old skipper from Texas, “it’s very easy to sail together, we’ve been doing it for a while. We also like these conditions and hopefully there’ll be more of this tomorrow”.
There was a 20 minute wait on the water at the end of Race 1, to see if the rain would stop and the wind fill in again, but it ended with the hoisting of the AP flag over Alpha and with the Committee sending the 70 teams ashore with no more racing scheduled for the day.
The forecast for tomorrow is for more light to moderate breeze and cloudy sky, the plan is to make up for today’s missed race, so three races are on the menu.
Day 2
Day 3
Ilhabela, October 10, 2019
BRAZILIAN STORM ON THE RACE COURSE, THREE RACES WON BY THREE CARIOCA TEAMS IN WINDY CONDITIONS
A challenging three race day awaited the sailors at the Escola de Vela Lars Grael in Ilhabela, Brazil, for day three of the 2019 Snipe World Championship. After two very cloudy days with light winds, today’s conditions were typically Ilhabela with the wind coming from East getting stronger as the sun warmed the air.
The Brazilians, in the 70 boat fleet from 11 nations, mastered the wild, wavy conditions and are now right up on the top of the ranking: five of them in the top 10, with the first two leading the ranking. Henrique Haddad with Gustavo Nascimento (BRA) are on top after winning today’s last two races (6,1,1), they have a big margin on the second place team, Mario Jesus with Gabriel Borges (BRA) (8,2,7); in third the winners of yesterday’s only race, the Argentines Luis Soubie with Diego Lipszyc (2,16,23).
”There are still four races left and there’s still much that can happen, but we are confident, we are sailing very well and know our competitors well” said 470 Olympic sailor Haddad. ”We are very fast in strong wind. We didn’t have a great start in today’s first race, but we managed to do better in the following races and we claimed two bullets, so we are very happy!”
The day started off with an easterly breeze at about 8 knots, but the locals warned us it would increase if the sun stayed out. And so it did, the sun shone bright and the wind picked up to 16 knots, and the waves made it even more challenging for the sailors and more fascinating for the spectators.
Alexandre Paradeda with Gabriel Kieling (BRA) won the first windward-leeward race, followed by Soubie/Lipszyc amd Bruno Bethlem with Daniel Seixas (BRA). In the second race Haddad/Nascimento and Jesus/Borges were first and second, foreseeing today’s provisional overall ranking, and in third the winners of race 4, Paradeda/Kieling. The third race was a triangle first run followed by a windward-leeward with an upwind finish. The wind by now was really blowing at 16-18 knots and the fleet enjoyed blasting reaches!
Mateus Tavares (BRA) with Kathleen Tocke (USA) were second behind the unstoppable Haddad/Nascimento, and in third Juliana Duque with Rafael Martins (BRA).
Five races are finished, with the first drop figured in tomorrow after the 6th race. Four more races will be sailed in the next two days and on Saturday the 2019 Snipe World Champion will be crowned at the Marina Porto Ilhabela.
Tomorrow’s three races will begin at 11, to leave only one final and decisive race on Saturday morning.
Day 4
Ilhabela, Brazil, October 11, 2019
SPANISH LEAD WITH TWO RACES TO GO AT THE 2019 SNIPE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The fourth day of the 2019 Snipe World Championship started out with bright sunshine, blue skies and the wind blowing at about 8 knots from the east, all great components for another brilliant day of sailing in Ilhabela, Brazil.
Only two races were completed today, and they were very similar to the three held yesterday, with an easterly breeze of about 12-13 knots and waves. These conditions are much appreciated by the Brazilians, who are used to sailing in heavy wind, but today they were not the only ones in the top of the fleet.
In today’s first race after the Brazilian duo Alexandre Paradeda and Gabriel Kieling, there were the Spaniards Damian Borras and Jordi Triay followed by the young Portuguese skipper Mafalda Pires de Lima with her brother Tomas.
At the end of race six, the wind proved to be less stable than yesterday and the Race Committee boat moved in search of a better spot. Once the course was set – 13 knots from East – a Brazilian team was once again leading the fleet, and this time it was Juninho de Jesus with crew Gabriel Borges, followed by another Spanish team Juan Deben with José Pardo and in third another female skipper, Juliana Duque with Rafael Martins (BRA).
Once the race was over long clouds covered the skies, and the wind dropped significantly. After an attempt to start ended with a general recall, the Committee sent everyone back ashore and will try for a two race day tomorrow starting at 11.
After seven races, with the discard coming into effect after race six, there is a Spanish team leading the provisional ranking: Damian Borras and Jodi Triay, who are ahead of the Brazilians by only one point. Henrique Haddad with Gustavo Nascimento (BRA) are in second followed by Juninho de Jesus with Gabriel Borges (BRA).
“The regatta is very balanced and our strategy is to stay in the middle, since we are not familiar with this racecourse. It has worked well so far and we are glad to be leading the ranking in such a difficult event”, said Damian Borras. “We are from Minorca, one of the Balearic islands, and the conditions are very similar to these, the only difference is the current, I just didn’t expect so much current in Brazil. That’s why we work in the middle of the fleet. Tomorrow we’ll go in the water to fight to be among the first teams in the last races and win the Snipe World Cup.”
Day 5
Ilhabela, Brazil, October 12, 2019
THE 2019 SNIPE WORLD CHAMPIONS ARE HENRIQUE HADDAD AND GUSTAVO NASCIMENTO
THE BRAZILIANS CLAIM THE TITLE IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY AFTER 9 VERY CLOSE RACES
Henrique Haddad and Gustavo Nascimento (BRA) are the 2019 Snipe World Champions after a very long and challenging nine race series, during which the leaders at the end of each of the five days of racing would always be a different team.
Even this morning, going onto the racecourse, the top teams were all very tight and at least five boats could win the 2019 Snipe World Championships. The first race was sailed in an Easterly breeze of 10 knots, that the forecast didn’t predict lasting as th Southerly would fill, and it did for the final thrilling race.
During race 8, the provisional leaders, Damian Borras and Jordi Triay, went to the wrong side of the course and finished 46th, jeopardizing their final result. Alexandre Paradeda with Gabriel Kieling (BRA), Juninho de Jesus with Gabriel Borges (BRA) and Luis Soubie with Diego Lipszyc (ARG) didn’t miss the chance to improve their ranking positions, and finished respectively first, second and third; but even Haddad/Nascimento did well with a sixth place.
Race 9 got underway after the Committee repositioned the course way south, towards the Escola de Vela Lars Grael, home to the event.
At the first windward mark, the Spanish team rounded second behind Nick Grael with Fabio Horta, trying to make up for the previous race. Paradeda/Kieling and Haddad/Nascimento were not among the leading pack, leaving some room for hope to the Spanish. Borras then was first at the downwind gate, with Grael following and Haddad getting closer. The order didn’t change until the finish, when Grael/Horta passed Borras/Triay and won the last race. The Spanish finished second and had to wait for the Brazilian teams chasing behind.
Ralph Rosa with Alfredo Rovere (BRA) were third and Haddad/Nascimento fourth, erasing the Spanish hope for victory. But it was now their turn in waiting for the final position of Paradeda/Kieling, who could still claim the overall leadership. They finished 13th, and by just one point, handed the 2019 Snipe Worlds to Haddad/Nascimento.
“We couldn’t believe we won, we just tried to get less points that we could today, fighting on every tack. We just can’t believe it, it’s an incredible feeling!” said Henrique Haddad back ashore. “Today was a very long day, we started with an East wind and then waited a lot for the South to come in, we didn’t know if it would be better to have a race or not, but then we just enjoyed the moment, and we are loving this day, we’re not going to have another day like this one!”
“We couldn’t believe we won, we just tried to get less points that we could today, fighting on every tack. We just can’t believe it, it’s an incredible feeling!” said Henrique Haddad back ashore. “Today was a very long day, we started with an East wind and then waited a lot for the South to come in, we didn’t know if it would be better to have a race or not, but then we just enjoyed the moment, and we are loving this day, we’re not going to have another day like this one!”
“A very long championship, long upwinds as well, but in the end everything is worth it. Today we just had to do our race and forget the math and we did it, it’s a great moment right now!” confirmed Gustavo Nascimento. “It is even better to win it here in Brazil with our families following the races!”
With them on the podium another Brazilian flag will be hoisted, the one for Alexandre Paradeda and Gabriel Kieling who claim the silver medal, and on the third step, the Spanish Damian Borras and Jordi Triay.
The prize for the best mixed team will be awarded to Mateus Tavares with Kathleen Tocke (BRA/USA), sixth overall. This is a new award named after legendary female Brazilian sailor Bibi Juetz, who always sailed as a mixed team and is the only female to win the Snipe World Masters.
The curtains of the 2019 Snipe World Championship will close tonight after the official prize giving ceremony, but the party won’t be over so soon, the Brazilians know how to celebrate a World title win!
Raed also:
Luis Borba was “the Voice” of these Snipe Worlds, loved by everyone. Sadly, Luis passed away far too soon.
In 2021, the Snipe World Championship was scheduled to take place in Enoshima, Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic ruined those plans. The Snipe Class, like many other classes, was forced to cancel most of its 2020 events (including the European Championship and the WH&A Championship). The Olympic Games planned for Japan in 2020 were postponed to 2021.
All these events led the Board to make an unprecedented—and somewhat contested—decision: moving the continental championships to odd-numbered years starting in 2021, and the Snipe Worlds to even-numbered years (for the first time since 1947, when the International Championship shifted to a biennial schedule).
Furthermore, Enoshima withdrew from organizing the 2022 World Championship. Consequently, hosting rights were awarded to Cascais, Portugal, for the second time in history, following the 1957 edition.
2022 Snipe Worlds – L – Cascais, Portugal (August 18–25, 2022)
After a 47-year drought, the Spanish duo of Alfredo Gonzalez and Cristian Sanchez sailed a great last race of the Championship to return the Snipe World trophy to Spain. The last time the Hub Isaacs Snipe World title was in Spain (and Europe) was in 1975 with Felix Gancedo and Manuel Bernal as champions. It was a long time overdue.
Cascais, Portugal, August 21, 2022
BRAZILIANS LEAD AFTER FIRST DAY
Brazilians Mario Sergio de Jesus and Henrique Wisneiwski sailed a consistent first two races in puffy and shifty conditions off Cascais, Portugal, setting the pace for the rest of the fleet. Their 2-3 finishes gives them a margin over the 2nd place team of Ernesto Rodriguez and Kathleen Tocke of the USA who follow with 11 points posting a 7-4 and Spaniards Alfredo Gonzalez and Christin Sanchez with 13 with 4-9 finishes for the day.
Today’s forecast predicted winds of 30+ on the preferred course, but PRO Jose Cancella opted for the more protected course to ensure a good start to the 50th World Championship. With northerly winds off the land, the first race was held in 12-14 knots with Gustavo and Rafael del Castillo, brothers (ESP) leading from the start. The right side seemed to favor the leaders and it was hard fought behind the winners with De Jesus and Wisniewski finishing second. Jan Peeters and Nathalie Janssens of Belgium crossed third, with two boats caught under the black flag, one who crossed the finish line 2nd only to be disappointed later.
With a short break, the Race Committee started the next race posting a triangle course, but changed to windward-leeward with the wind dropping at the start to 14-15 knots. The Spanish junior skipper Francisco Silvela with Rafael del Castillo Diaz, fresh from the Snipe Junior Worlds where he finished third, rounded the weather mark first followed by De Jesus/Wisniewski on their heels. As the race progressed with increased wind, the positions changed with Victor Perez Campos and Enric Noguera (ESP) crossing first followed by Silvela/del Castillo Diaz and De Jesus/Wisniewski.
SCIRA Commodore Luis Soubie commented, “Today was a good start for the Championship being able to complete the 2 scheduled races with the 2nd race more shifty and gusty than the first. It was great to watch the sailors boat handling and course management in these tricky conditions. The competition was very close and we expect the rest of the week to be just as intense.”
Tomorrow’s forecast is again for breezy conditions and the possibility of sailing the same area. The forecast for the remainder of the week is more manageable.
Day 2
Cascais, Portugal, August 22, 2022. On the second day of the Snipe World Championship, the wind was light leaving the harbor, but began to build steadily with big shifts, causing the Race Committee to move the course 3 times to find suitable conditions for racing.
After almost 2 hours, the wind was finally steady, with intensity between 15 and 20+ knots, allowing to finally start racing.In the only race of the day there was a Brazilian “dobradinha”, with the team of Alexandre Paradeda – Olympic sailor and World Champion of the class – and Gabriel dos Santos, getting the better of fellow countrymen Bruno Bethlem and Dante Bianchi, double World Champions.
About the harsh conditions that were felt today in Cascais, Alfredo says “I love this race course, in Lanzarote [where he lives] there is also a lot of wind, so I am happy and comfortable with this type of conditions”.
Leading the championship, with 16 points, are now the Spaniards Alfredo Gonzalez/Cristian Sanchez, who, with the 3rd place obtained in today’s regatta, are now the only team with all the results in the top10. About the harsh conditions that were felt today in Cascais, Alfredo says “I love this race course, in Lanzarote [where he lives] there is also a lot of wind, so I am happy and comfortable with this type of conditions”.
In 2nd place, with 28 points, is now the Brazilian team Henrique Haddad/Gustavo Nascimento, current world title holders. Finally, closing the podium is the mixed team of the United States, Enrique Quinter/Charlie Bess.
In the Portuguese teams, Henrique Brites and Francisco Maia, who yesterday had finished in 10th place, broke the mast and were unable to finish today’s regatta, so now the first Portuguese boat is the Portuguese/Spanish duo formed by Mafalda Pires de Lima and Jaime Urdangaray, who now occupies the 12th position, just 14 points from the top 10.
For tomorrow, the Race Committee’s intention is to hold 3 races, in order to make up for the missing race today.
Day 3
Cascais, Portugal, August 23, 2022
CONSISTENCY IS KING – or QUEEN
Day 3 of the 2022 Snipe World Championship in Cascais, Portugal was an exercise in consistency with teams making giant moves to put them into contention. Today the organizers had the 174 competitors on the water for 3 races, playing catch-up to the 1 race day prior. While yesterday was a challenge, today was much more civil for the Race Committee team with only a 5 degree shift in the course all day. The first race of the day (race 4) began in 15 knots and after several attempts the black flag was shown keeping the fleet in check. Henrique Haddad/Gustavo Nascimento (BRA) lead from the start and extended on his downwind leg to take the win comfortably. Alexandre Paradeda/Gabriel Kieling (BRA) began their consistent day posting a second followed by Ernesto Rodriguez/Kathleen Tocke (USA) also sailing well.
The wind began to increase for the 2nd race of the day (race 5) in the 15-18 knot range with a windward-leeward course signaled at the start, but changed to a triangle for the 2nd lap. Paradeda/Kieling started well and went right with them rounding the weather mark first followed by Rodriguez/Tocke. Alfredo Gonzalez/Cristian Sanchez (ESP) sailed their best race of the day moving up through the fleet and finishing second, passing the Americans who would cross 4th.
For the last race of the day (race 6), the wind began to subside a bit to signal and windward-leeward with the start under a U flag. Haddad/Nascimento, recovering from a tough race (finishing 19th), won the race convincingly followed by the consistent teams of Paradeda/Kieling and Rodriguez/Tocke. Mario Sergio de Jesus/Henrique Wisniewski crossed the finish line second, but were caught under the U flag and now have 2 deep scores to discard, pushing them back to 14th overall.
Reflecting on the day in a dual interview with Haddad and Paradeda, Paradeda (Xandi) commented “We came to this championship without great expectations so I’m super happy with today and in reality I’m actually rooting for the younger generation. Henrique & Gustavo won the last worlds…” with Haddad responding, “Xandi had a great day today scoring a bullet and two seconds and Alfredo is sailing super well, and there are some more teams fighting close for the title so it won’t be easy to win, but I wouldn’t mind to repeat the score of the last worlds.” Paradeda continued, “I think this was the best sailing day of my life. Three windy races, not as windy as yesterday though, and we had an incredible day with a win and two second places, climbing lots of places on the scoreboard!” When asked about their 19th place in the 2nd race of the day, Haddad said, “in the second race I didn’t start next to Xandi, so that was the problem. For tomorrow I already know the strategy; in doubt, always start next to Xandi!”
The consistency award for the day must be awarded to Juliana Duque/Rafael Martins (BRA) who posted a 5-5-5 and moving them to 5th overall in the standings. Duque is the current reigning Snipe Women’s World champion, but has her husband crewing for her in Portugal. Also of note is Mafalda Pires de Lima with Jaime Urdangaray (POR) who sits 10th overall. While there are plenty of females in the event, there are 6 female skippers with 2 in the top 10.
The discard comes into play after 7 races and it looks like the competition is on to see who can remain consistent over the next 2 days of racing.
Day 4
Cascais, Portugal, August 24, 2022
FIELD NARROWS TO LAST RACE
After the 4th day of racing with 8 races completed at the 2022 Snipe World Championship in Cascais, Portugal, the field is narrowing. The top teams are laser focused on winning the title with 1 race remaining and those in contention managed single digit scores today to push them to the top. Between the top 5 teams in contention, 21 points separate them, with the ultimate title still up for grabs.The day began in 13 knots when the competitors arrived on the course, but quickly built to a consistent 17 knots after the 2nd start under a U flag. 4 boats were caught under the U flag including would be contender Victor Perez Campos/Enric Noguera (ESP). The weather mark reported increased puffs to 20 knots and Xandi Paradeda/Gabriel Kieling (BRA) arrived first followed by the Belgian team of Sam & Daan Vandormael (BEL) and Henrique Brites/Francisco Maia (POR), followed by Americans Ernesto Rodriguez/Kathleen Tocke. Most teams did not launch the pole and took off on a jib reach on the double triangle course. A tricky gybe and screaming reaches and back upwind for another triangle, this time with Rodriguez/Tocke taking the lead and Juliana Duque/Rafael Martins (BRA) finishing behind them in 2nd with Paradeda/Kieling in 3rd.
With the wind increasing to 18 knots, the Race Committee signaled another double triangle course for the last race of the day. After a clear start, the racers headed toward the weather mark which was reporting puffs to 21 knots but also with a fog bank hanging just off the course. Paradeda/Kieling rounded in first followed by early regatta leader Mario Sergio de Jesus/Henrique Wisniewski (BRA) and Alfredo Gonzalez/Cristian Sanchez (ESP). After the first triangle, the wind dropped a bit in velocity, but not enough to change the course, but causing teams to change gears. At the finish, Paradeda/Kieling hung on with Rodriguez/Tocke just behind. A bit of a gap and Gonzalez/Sanchez crossed in 3rd with Juliana Duque/Rafael Martins in 4th and managing to finish the day with a severely damaged rudder that managed to get them through the day (2-4 finishes).
Going into the final day, Rodriguez/Tocke have a 6 point lead over Paradeda/Kieling (30) and Gonzalez/Sanchez (32). Rodriguez commented, “we knew we would have our chance but there are many good sailors here so we would have to sail pretty well in order to be in the top spots and we did a good job today. Upwind was pretty much maintaining our position, it was on reaches that we made our gains” And on the plan for tomorrow, “hopefully we don’t sail tomorrow. No, just kidding, …hike really hard and keep it clean tomorrow”
Haddad/Nascimento are in 3rd with 44pts and Duque/Martins in 5th with 45. All have double digit drops except Gonzalez/Sanchez. Tomorrow will be the determiner with more of the same winds forecast for tomorrow.
Day 5
Cascais, Portugal, August 25, 2022
GONZALEZ/SANCHEZ TAKE SNIPE WORLDS
After a 47 year drought, the Spanish duo of Alfredo Gonzalez and Cristian Sanchez sailed a great last race of the Championship to return the Snipe World trophy to Spain. The last time the Hub Isaacs Snipe World title was in Spain (and Europe) was in 1975 with Felix Gancedo and Manuel Bernal as champions. It was a long time overdue and the Spanish are elated.
Hailing from Lanzarote, Gonzalez/Sanchez have been silently chipping away. Their best prior performance at the Snipe Worlds was 4th overall in 2017, and their lead up regatta was a win in June for the Spanish Cup with 200 boats. Lanzarote was the perfect heavy air training ground which proved to their advantage in Cascais. With finishes of 4 (9)-3-8-2-7-4-3-3, their ability to finish in the top 10 each race proved to be their winning formula.
Hailing from Lanzarote, Gonzalez/Sanchez have been silently chipping away. Their best prior performance at the Snipe Worlds was 4th overall in 2017, and their lead up regatta was a win in June for the Spanish Cup with 200 boats. Lanzarote was the perfect heavy air training ground which proved to their advantage in Cascais. With finishes of 4 (9)-3-8-2-7-4-3-3, their ability to finish in the top 10 each race proved to be their winning formula.
The last race of the regatta was held in relatively lighter winds than the other 8 races, with 8-12 knots and no swell. Quite a change over the week and a bit of a surprise as the competitors left the Club in heavy air. A clear start on the first go with the pin and the left side favored, sitting in 2nd overall, Alexandre Paradeda/Gabriel Kieling (BRA) were on the favored side while Gonzalez/Sanchez & regatta leaders Ernesto Rodriguez/Kathleen Tocke (USA) started at the boat. Rodriguez/Tocke stayed right in lighter wind with Gonzalez/Sanchez opting for the left ½ way up the beat. At the weather mark, 1999 Snipe World Champion Nelido Manso/Sanlay Castro de la Cruz rounding first followed by Sam & Daan Vandormael from Belgium. Gonzalez/Sanchez rounded just ahead of Paradeda/Kieling who rounded 10th with Rodriguez/Tocke in the 40’s. At the 2nd top mark, Gonzalez/Sanchez had moved into 3rd, Paradeda/Kieling holding their spot and Rodriguez/Tocke slowing grinding through the fleet.
The finish for the Earl Elms Trophy – winner of the last race, was extremely close with the Belgian team of Sam and Daan Vandormael just taking the gun. Nelido Manso/Sanlay Castro de la Cruz (CUB) finished 2nd and Gonzalez/Sanchez finished 3rd, securing their title. Second overall was still to be determined, and Paradeda/Kieling crossed in 7th with Rodriguez/Tocke in 14th which created a tie for 2nd overall with Paradeda/Kieling winning the tie breaker.
With 17 nations represented, the 87 teams was the largest Snipe Worlds held and the competition was fierce with the best team winning. Congratulations to all competitors for a hard fought week.
The 50th Snipe World championship first contested in 1934 and held bi-annually, came to a close with a fantastic closing ceremony held by Club Nautico Cascais. The Race Management and organizing team are to be congratulated for a fantastic event as well as the Portuguese Snipe Class.
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2024 Snipe Worlds – LI – Buenos Aires, Argentina (October 29–November 2, 2024)
After 29 years since Santiago Lange and Mariano Parada won the Snipe Worlds (1995), Julio Alsogaray and Malena Sciarra (ARG) sailed a conservative but well-managed regatta to win the 2024 Snipe World Championship in their own waters.
No Wind for First day of 2024 Snipe World Championship
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 29, 2026
The 2024 Snipe World Championship competitors spent a frustrating day on the waters of the Rio de la Plata, waiting for the wind to materialize. The first start was attempted and abandoned 12 seconds before the start with the wind below the Snipe Class limit of 5 knots.
Race committee chair Teodoro (Kiko) Kundig commented; “We set the course from 30 degrees and we had 6-7 knots at the scheduled time, but the wind dropped to 3 knots and we flew the AP flag. We tried another 2-3 times, but the wind was not steady. Tomorrow, our forecast is much better and we have moved the start 1 hour earlier (12:00pm) and will try for more races.”
Racing will commence again on Wednesday, October 30, with the current schedule for 2 races per day with 1 race on the final day, Saturday, November 2. The Race Committee has the option to add an additional race if behind in the schedule.
Day 2
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 30, 2024
Day 3
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 31, 2024
Changes in the Lead for 2024 Snipe World Championship
After several protests the evening before, the results were changed and reflected a shake-up in the leaders from yesterday’s posting. Many sailors hit the water on Thursday with renewed confidence and others with the will climb back up the results table with more races to battle.
With the wind shifting to the southeast and increasing, the fleet was off after several general recalls and black flag in 12-15 knots of wind and short chop. The Spanish duo of Leonardo Armas Lasso/Miguel Bethencourt Fuentes sailed a strong race battling with local Argentinians Julio Alsogaray/Malena Sciarra with Manel Beltran/Bernardo Leon Mur (ESP) and Americans Ernesto Rodriguez/Taylor Scheuermann and Enrique Quintero/Trevor Davis in the top 5.
Race 4 began with more general recalls, then the wind shifted to the south and the current changed. Although there were several recalls and the black flag, the current kept the fleet behind the line for a clean start. Alsogaray/Sciarra were reveling in their home waters and crossed the line first, followed by 2022 World Champions Alfredo Gonzalez/Cristian Sanchez (ESP), Mario Tinoco/Alexandre Muto (BRA), Enrique Quintero/Trevor Davis (USA) with Peter Foley/Maru Urban (USA) rounding out the top 5.
Americans Enrique Quintero & Trevor Davis have stayed consistent with a 2-12-5-4 to top the leaderboard with 23 points. Quintero commented that they had “good boat speed, being very smart on the upwind and being conservative, finding good lanes out of the starts, and connecting the shifts.” Crew Trevor Davis added that “the current has been pushing us up, so timing our shifts with the moment we feel it, we take it to keep underneath the fleet for any phase, especially coming into the weather mark. It makes our downwind leg longer, but that’s advantageous for us as we’re very fast downwind.”
Catching up with Julio Alsogaray and Malena Sciarra (ARG) who are currently in second with a 19-6-2-1, Malena said with a big smile “we had a fantastic day with a 2-1.” Alsogaray added jokingly “that his starts are a secret, but our real secret is downwind where we’re very fast. Sailing on these waters for 24 years on the same race course makes a difference.” Perhaps it’s his ILCA training as he agreed he was applying that to his Snipe sailing, but with his secret weapon crew Malena.
Racing will continue again on Friday, November 1, with the current schedule for 2 races per day with 1 race on the final day, Saturday, November 2. The Race Committee has the option to add an additional race if behind in the schedule.
Day 4
Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 1, 2024
Local Sailors Take Over 2024 Snipe World Championship
Twenty-four years of racing on these waters paid off for Julio Alsogaray and Malena Sciarra (ARG) on the 4thday of the Snipe World Championship. Posting a 8-1 today, they mastered both the lighter breeze in the morning and the heavier breeze in the afternoon to take a 31-point lead in the Snipe Worlds. With one more day to sail, anything can happen, but they have a nice cushion.
After a short postponement on shore, the Race Committee released the 85-boat fleet where they were greeted with 9 knots, which fell to 6 knots at the start, but then increased to 12-13 knots by the end of the day’s first race. Ernesto Rodriguez/Taylor Scheuermann (USA) lead at the first mark and never looked back. They were followed by the Seguels – Matias & Constanza of Chile, with Bernardo Peixoto/Gustavo Baiano (BRA) crossing third.
With the nice pressure building to 16 knots, the Race Committee wasted no time in getting into sequence, and the fleet was off for race 6. The wind dropped slightly at times to 11 knots with phases of 14-knot sections. Planing and surfing the waves propelled the fleet around the course with Alsogaray/Sciarra using their blazing downwind speed to win, followed by Spaniards Bernardo Armas Lasso/Miguel Bethencourt Fuentes. Ernesto Rodriguez/Taylor Scheuermann (USA) won the day, posting a 1-3 to draw themselves closer to the top and making up points. Yesterday’s leaders Enrique Quintero/Trevor Davis (USA) had a rough day dropping them to third overall in the standings.
Tomorrow is the final day, Saturday, November 2 where the 2024 World Champions will be crowned. The Race Committee has scheduled 2 races and with 7 races a discard is factored in. Everyone seems to have a drop race so those who are able to keep low scores may come out on top.
Day 5
Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 2, 2024.
Julio Alsogaray & Malena Sciarra Win 2024 Snipe World Championship
After 29 years since Santiago Lange and Mariano Parada won the Snipe Worlds (1995), Julio Alsogaray and Malena Sciarra (ARG) sailed a conservative but well-managed regatta to win the 2024 Snipe World Championship in their own waters. Years of training proved fruitful as they were able to secure the championship in front of family and friends and fly the Argentine flag just after crossing the finish line! The final day they were one of a few teams able to understand the fickle breeze that was oscillating not only in direction, but also velocity ranging from 11-20 knots as a weather system rolled through.
Several of the top teams sailed a great final day, moving the standings around and bringing the final race down to a 2-point lead by Alsogaray/Sciarra with Ernesto Rodriguez/Taylor Scheuermann (USA) closing in. The Argentines posted a 6-19 while Rodriguez/Scheuermann sailed an 11-6. Bernardo Peixoto/Gustavo Baino (BRA) made up points and jumped to third on the podium with a 2-4 day.
Race 7 began with a black flag carryover from the AP posted the prior day, so 7 boats stayed ashore for the first race of the day while the fleet sailed in an 11-12 knot double windward/leeward. The final race, 8, saw the wind increase to 18-20 knots, but also had several lulls and seemed to settle in the 12-14 knot range providing nice hiking and planning conditions for the final race.
Crossing the finish line, Julio and Malena proudly waved the Argentine flag to their waiting spectator fleet. Malena is now the third female to add her name to the O’Leary crew champion trophy, and they are also winners of the Bibi Juetz Mixed team trophy. Ricky Fabini and Lore Fundora (URU), winners of the last race, win the Earl Elms Perpetual trophy. The Hub E. Isaacs trophy – emblematic of the winning team, was first awarded in 1934.
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Dear reader,
If you’ve actually made it all the way to the end, massive congratulations. Give us a sign if you’re still breathing! In an era dominated by 15-second stories, reading this far is practically an epic, heroic feat.
I’ll admit, when I started this project, I had no idea that gathering and organizing all these sources would turn out to be such an insanely long and exhausting effort.
Among the brave few who crossed the finish line, I have no idea how many genuinely enjoyed this long, dense roundup—whether you were meticulously hanging on every word or just casually scrolling through it on your phone.
Beyond the usual regatta reports, countlessly colourful sailors, larger-than-life characters, incredible stories, and bizarre episodes have shaped the history of our Class since 1934. To anyone still here: thank you. I hope you picked up a few new nuggets of history looking back at our past, and came away appreciating our Class—and its lovely, crazy people—just a little bit more.
XLVII – Talamone, Italy, September 21-26, 2015
- Mateus Tavares and Gonzalo Carvalho, Brazil
- Luis Soubie and Diego Lipszyc, Argentina
- Alvaro Martinez and Gabriel Utrera, Spain
- Rafael Gagliotti and Henrique Gomes, Brazil
- Mario Urban and Daniel Seixas Claro, Brazil
Sailed on the Tyrrhenian Sea, 83 starters, 19 nations
XLVIII – La Coruña, Spain, September 5-11, 2017
- Raul Rios and Mac Agnese, Puerto Rico
- Gustavo & Rafael del Castillo Palop, Spain
- Rayco Tabares and Gonzalo Morales, Spain
- Alfredo Gonzalez and Cristian Sanchez Barreto, Spain
- Mario Tinoco and Alexandre Muto, Brazil
Sailed on La Coruña Bay, 85 starters, 17 nations
XLIX – lhabela, Brazil, October 7-12, 2019
- Herique Haddad and Gustavo Nascimento, Brazil
- Alexandre Paradeda and Gabriel Kieling, Brazil
- Damian Borras Camps and Jordy Triay, Spain
- Mario Jesus and Gabriel Borges, Brazil
- Luis Subie and Diego Lipszyc, Argentina
Sailed in the Sao Sebastiao Channel, 70 starters, 12 nations
L – Cascais, Portugal, August 18-25, 2022
- Alfredo Gonzalez and Cristian Sanchez, Spain
- Alexandre Paradeda and Gabriel Kieling dos Santos, Brazil
- Ernesto Rodriguez and Kathleen Tocke, USA
- Henrique Haddad and Gustavo Nasciemento, Brazil
- Juliana Duque and Rafael Martins, Brazil
Sailed on the Atlantic Ocean, 86 starters, 18 nations
LI – Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 29-November 2, 2024
- Julio Alsogaray and Malena Sciarra, Argentina
- Ernesto Rodriguez and Taylor Scheuermann, USA
- Bernardo Peixoto and Gustavo Baiano, Brazil
- Alfredo Gonzalez and Cristian Sanchez, Spain
- Pedro Madureira and Enzo Ricardi, Brazil
Sailed on the Rio de la Plata, 84 starters, 11 nations
About the 2026 Snipe Worlds:
Mahon, Menorca, Spain, September 19-26, 2026
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