All Japan Nationals – Final

Enoshima, Japan, August 24, 2025. (Source: Bulkhead Magazine) The final day of the 78th Snipe Class All Japan Championship was held on August 24th in Enoshima. After an hour-long wait due to weak winds, a light southerly breeze picked up, and the races began.

Yasushi Kondo and Hiroka Kondo, who were in the lead, used the left side of the course to their advantage, finishing first in the eighth race and securing the championship title without needing the final race. This marks the first time in history that a married couple has won the event together.

“This is our fifth time competing as a couple,” said Yasushi Kondo. “We took full advantage of our home waters in Enoshima. Last year, we upgraded our boat model to a Ninja 3/Pearson Marine Japan and improved our sails, which really helped our boat speed. We’re very happy to win together as a couple. There were times when we struggled to get good results, but being able to compete with my family is what motivates me now.”

Hiroka Kondo added, “Since having a child, my practice time has decreased, but I’m so grateful that the championship provided an environment where I could leave my child and that the support of those around me allowed me to compete. Time on the water is more precious now than it was before, and it’s actually a refreshing experience to enjoy.”

Meanwhile, a fierce battle for second place unfolded. The previous day’s runners-up, Katsuya Takagi/Momoka Watanabe and Tetsuo Watanabe/Koji Saito, saw their scores drop in Race 8. However, Shotaro Kitsukawa/Ikumi Yamamoto from Waseda University surged ahead by finishing second in that race, setting up a showdown for the final race.

As of Race 8, the scores were:

• 2nd: Watanabe/Saito (46 points)
• 3rd: Kitsukawa/Yamamoto (48 points)
• 4th: Takagi/Watanabe (63 points)

In the final race, with winds picking up to around 10 knots, Takagi/Watanabe and Watanabe/Saito used the left side of the course to round the top mark in the lead. Kitsukawa/Yamamoto, however, fell far behind after a costly penalty turn at the start. Takagi/Watanabe finished first in the final race, overtaking Kitsukawa/Yamamoto.

Final results after 9 races (1 discard):

1. Yasushi Kondo & Hiroka Kondo, 23
2. Tetsuo Watanabe & Koji Saito, 53
3. Katsuya Takagi & Momoka Watanabe, 64
4. Shotaro Kikkawa & Ikumi Yamamoto, 68
5. Junichiro Shiraishi & Hiroki Hata, 71
6. Issa Kakuta & Malibu Yamadam, 80
7. Gen Nishimura & Saki Hayashi, 90
8. Ai Yoshida & Honoka Miura, 107
9. Masakazu Sasai & Kazuhiro Ito, 108
10. Ayaka Yamazaki & Kasta Kurihara, 125

The 78th Snipe All Japan Championship was a light wind series, with a total of nine races completed. The 2026 All Japan Championship is scheduled to be held at Shinminato Marina in Toyama Prefecture around the same time of year.