 Photo by Ian Roman IslandStats.com
The much-anticipated Bermuda Gold Cup Final saw defending champion Johnie Berntsson of Sweden face Great Britain’s eight-time world champion, Ian Williams. In a highly tactical battle, Berntsson showcased his mastery of the International One Design (IOD) sloops and the notoriously shifty Hamilton Harbour conditions.
Berntsson delivered a clinical 3-0 sweep over Williams in the best-of-five final series. Despite Williams pushing him hard in the pre-starts, Berntsson’s boat speed and flawless execution on the water proved decisive, earning him the coveted King Edward VII Trophy once again.
The Aspen Bermuda Match Racing Regatta Final provided similar success for Sweden, with Anna Östling facing a determined challenge from Lea Vogelius of Denmark.
The final was more closely fought, with Vogelius managing to claim one race, but Östling’s experience shone through. She controlled the series with tight manoeuvres and strategic advantages to defeat the Dane 3-1. The victory cements Östling’s reputation as one of the world's elite women match racers and marks a major title win in Bermuda.
The dual victories cap off a spectacular week of sailing and underscore Sweden’s current dominance at the pinnacle of match racing.
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