The 2022 ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship concluded yesterday after 12 races at Vallarta Yacht Club in Mexico.
Once again the podium was completely occupied by our European representatives, starting with French sailor Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA, who showed a great consistency throughout the week and was crowned 2022 World Champion with 51 points.
This is the first Gold medal for him in a World Championship, after being Silver in this same place in the 2016 Worlds behind Nick Thompson GBR. He was also Silver once at the Senior Europeans in Hyeres 2007.
“I’ve been chasing this Medal for long time now. I would like to thank my former coach first because is here, Lionel Pellegrino, and my new coach Nicola, who was with me all whole week, thanks Nico. And I would like to thank also the Committee because they made my day a bit funnier today, harder for me because I got the first black flag of the week, thanks :))) And to finish, I’m very glad to have this plate in my house now because I was struggling a lot those few years to get it. Thanks Pavlos, thanks Bulli. There’s a lot of World champions around today and thanks everyone, it was a great week, thanks”, declared Jean Baptiste Bernaz from the top of the podium at the prize giving.
The last day brought a little drama when he got a Black flag in the first race, and Pavlos Kontides CYP finished fifth, which lifted the Cyprus sailor to a second overall place, with just 12 points behind him. But in the last race Jean-Baptiste managed to finished seventh and secured the first spot he held almost the whole regatta.
Pavlos ultimately took the Silver medal with 68 points, while Croatian sailor Filip Jurisic CRO took Bronze after two strong second places in these last races, closing the championship 2 points ahead of 2021 World champion Thomas Saunders NZL.
Top 5 of 2022 ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship are:
- Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA – 51 points
- Pavlos Kontides CYP – 68 points
- Filip Jurišic CRO – 75 points
- Thomas Saunders NZL – 77 points
- Tonci Stipanovic CRO – 81 points
126 sailors participated of this competition in Mexico.
– Photos
The 2023 ILCA 7 Men’s World Champions title will be sailed out at the Allianz Sailing World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands between 10-20 August 2023. The event will be the first qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
– Olympic Games sailing regatta website
Sooner this year we’ll organise the 2022 ILCA 7 Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy in Hyeres, France, from November 14-21. Application for this event will open August 15th.
