Final Day Report – Dutch Youth Regatta 2025

After a windless Saturday, the final day of the Dutch Youth Regatta 2025 delivered perfect sailing conditions. Under a clear sky and with a steadily increasing breeze, all fleets were able to complete their scheduled races. It was a fitting and energetic conclusion to a regatta full of sportsmanship, international competition, and fresh beginnings at a new venue in Kamperland.

As always, the Optimist class had the largest fleet, and it was Ties de Ruiter (14) who stood out. With confident and consistent sailing, he claimed the title of Dutch Champion — for the second year in a row. This was also his final appearance in the Optimist; next year he transitions to the 29er class, where expectations are high.

In the Optimist Benjamin category, Elin de Leeuw not only secured first place in her class, but also claimed the title of Dutch Champion U12. An impressive double win — sailing excellence clearly runs in the family.

The 29er podium was entirely French, with Alexandre Mostini and Raphael Allain (FRA 3425) taking gold. Dutch sailor Folkert van Surksum finished just outside the top three in fourth place, while his brother Doeke — still new to the skiff — held his own with a solid 28th place.

The 49er FX class delivered some of the most dramatic moments of the regatta. Fierce conditions resulted in broken masts, gear damage, and even injured sailors. Yet through the chaos, Thijs Bijleveld & Marijn Eggermond (NED 661) rose to the top. They stayed composed and consistent to claim a hard-fought and well-deserved victory, ahead of Tjed Wildeboer & Lars van den Berg, and Tjebbe Warmerdam & Yannick van den Akker.

The RS Feva class brought together a fun and competitive international field. Lithuania, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic stood proudly on the podium. Benas Sapkinas & Mykolas Leipus (LTU) took the win, with Charlotte de Groot & Sven van Dartel (NED) securing second, and Simon Kratky & Jachym Novotny (CZE) completing the podium.

In the RS500 fleet, which consisted entirely of Dutch entries, the racing was intense and fast-paced. Jesper Overbeeke and Merle Meinhardt emerged as the top team despite missing the first race. They made up for it with a series of outstanding performances. The RS500 proved to be a spectacular addition to the event, and efforts are underway to attract international competitors for 2026.

The Splash Blue class returned to the Dutch Youth Regatta this year, much to the delight of the organization. Though not the biggest group, their presence was appreciated — and with a strong showing from sailors like Hidde Lagendijk (NED 2473), there’s hope for a bigger Splash turnout next year.

In the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 classes, the sailors battled challenging conditions on the lively waters of the Oosterschelde. For many, it was a new level of intensity — and they rose to the occasion. ILCA 4 silver medalist Maurits Merlens, having recently transitioned from the Optimist, showed remarkable composure in a very competitive field. Lena Snauwaert (BEL) and Alexander Hartsink (NED) took home the top prizes in ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 respectively.

In the Cadet class, Cyriel Debuyne and Felix van Besien (BEL 10096) claimed victory — but not without a fierce battle. Dutch duo Barend Joosse and Cato van Fulpen put up a serious fight and weren’t willing to hand over the top spot without a struggle. The close competition between these teams made for some of the most exciting racing of the day.

The Europe class saw Jules de Smet (BEL) take a commanding victory, sailing strong throughout the event and securing his place at the top of the leaderboard.

Winners – Dutch Youth Regatta 2025:

29er: Alexandre Mostini & Raphael Allain (FRA 3425)

49er FX: Thijs Bijleveld & Marijn Eggermont (NED 661)

Cadet: Cyriel Debuyne & Felix van Besien (BEL 10096)

Europe: Jules de Smet (BEL 96)

ILCA 4: Lena Snauwaert (BEL 221591)

ILCA 6: Alexander Hartsink (NED 221858)

Optimist: Ties de Ruiter (NED 3444)

Optimist Benjamin: Elin de Leeuw (NED 3499)

RS Feva: Benas Sapkinas & Mykolas Leipus (LTU 4)

RS500: Jesper Overbeeke & Merle Meinhardt (NED 972)

Splash Blue: Hidde Lagendijk (NED 2473)

The Dutch Youth Regatta 2025 will be remembered as a sporting success and a smooth transition to a new location. The support of the province of Zeeland and the warm hospitality of the local community made a huge difference. In the lively Race Village, local businesses and food vendors added flavor to the experience — literally and figuratively.

We thank all sailors, coaches, volunteers, and supporters for making this edition unforgettable. See you in 2026!

📍 Full results available at www.dutchyouthregatta.org