Fireball Worlds 2025 Runners, Riders & Rascals: Team GB Storm Garda in the Italian job
by Adam Whitehouse 19 Aug 14:03 BST
22-30 August 2025
The breeze freshened for the second race - Fireball Worlds at Geelong day 2 © Alex Dare, Down Under Sail
The UK Fireball fleet is officially on manoeuvres. Picture this: a battalion of salty sea dogs squeezing into red, white, and blue Minis, armed with daisy roots and dry bags, storming across the Channel, charging through fine patisserie country, and scaling the Alps — all to descend upon Lake Garda for the 2025 Fireball World Championship at Circolo Vela Arco.
134 boats. One lake. Zero chill.
The British Armada
Leading the charge are none other than Tom Gillard & Shandy — winners of everything except, apparently, Optimists (which we assume is because they physically couldn't fit in one). These two are so decorated they make Admiral Nelson look underdressed. If you're placing bets, put your house, your dog, and your leftover sailing gloves on them.
Then there's DJ & Vyv — the kings of cliffhanger finishes. If sailing were Netflix, these two would be a 10-season drama with a cult following. Multiple World champions but can they end their recent runner-up curse? Or are we in for another emotional rollercoaster with more twists than a spinnaker in a squall?
The Honourable Mention Hall of Fame
Scroll down the UK entry list and it reads like the credits of a blockbuster sailing movie:
- Derian & Andy Scott - still faster than your Wi-Fi
- Graham & Will Cook - cooking up podiums since the 80s
- Spanner & Simon - tools of the trade
- Wally & Paul Jenkins - bow to stern brilliance
- Georgia & Oli - young, fast, and probably cooler than you
- Wader & Iain Blake - stealth mode activated
- Martyn & Daniel Lewis - family business, championship edition
- Kev Hope & Andy Stewart - Kevlar personalities, titanium tactics
- Peter Gray & Richard Pepperdine - quietly lethal
- Dave Hall & Paul Constable - the dads you wish you had on your crew
And that's just the tip of the iceberg lettuce with 17 home boats on the entry list.
International Intrigue: The Global Fireball Invasion
It's not just the Brits bringing the heat to Garda — this is a full-blown international showdown. Let's take a cheeky look at the global talent rolling in:
Vive la Fireball!
15 French boats are en route, probably with wine in one hand and mainsheet in the other. Keep an eye on Xavier Broise & Robin Trystan, who finished 4th at last year's Euros — and are rumoured to sail faster when bribed with croissants.
Czech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Another 15 boats from the Czech Republic, and they're not just here for the gelato. Martin Kubový & Jena Will are back after a brief sabbatical (we assume they were off winning something else). Tomáš Musil & Jan Štantejský, two-time Euro champs, return after a 20-year Fireball hiatus — which is basically like riding a bike, except the bike is on water and trying to kill you.
Jiri Paruzek & Jakub Kosvica were flying at the 2024 Euros until the final day went full Shakespearean tragedy.
Luck of the Irish
10 boats from Ireland, including Chris Bateman & Lucy Loughton, fresh off their B14 World Championship win. Expect speed, charm, and possibly a few Guinness-fuelled tactical decisions.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie — Oi Oi Oi!
12 boats from Down Under, and they're bringing serious firepower:
- Ben Schultz, 2024 National Champ, has recruited UK's Rachel Gray — hoping her Merlin and Scorpion magic rubs off (or at least sticks during tacks).
- Heather McFarlane & Chris Payne — multiple Nationals winners and podium regulars.
- Brendan Garner & Ben O'Brien — terrifyingly fast in a blow, possibly because Ben is 8ft tall.
- Addy Bucek & Peter James — Addy's a two-time Olympian in 470s, so expect precision, speed, and zero tolerance for faffing.
- Ben Garner & Toby Bush — Brendan's son, proving sailing talent might be genetic.
- Jalina Pivetta & Nathan Stockley — 2022 National Champs and race winners at Worlds. Basically, they don't mess about.
Swiss Precision
9 boats from Switzerland, including Yves Mermod & Maja Siegenthaler, fresh from the Paris Olympics.
Claude & Ruedi Moser have three Euro titles, and Ruedi won the Worlds in 2006 with his brother — which is either heartwarming or terrifying, depending on your sibling rivalry.
In Summary
14 nations. 134 boats. Two legendary winds (Peler and Ora). A few top-tier ice creams. And a Peroni or three. What more could you possibly want?