Frenchman wins eSailing world championship final
Alexandre Kowalski (AlexK – RS) of France has swept to victory in the 2022 eSailing World Championship Final in front of a live crowd at the Ocean Live Park in Alicante, Spain.
The ten best eSailors from around the world met in person to decide the winner over 12 races using F50, Laser, Far East 28r, 49er, Nacra 17, Offshore Racer, Star and J70, with the final race worth double points.
A total of 70,000 players began the season and each of the top ten has had to navigate a year-long championship to end the season. Positions were also awarded to the winners of major regattas and special events.
“It’s amazing,” says Kowalski, “because all ten players tonight were very good. From the first race to the last, I did not know who would win. It’s a big surprise and I am very happy. Two races before the medal race I saw there was a little gap and maybe we can play for the title, but not before the medal race did I think it was really possible.”
“I had a really good start in the medal race but then I had to take a penalty,” says runner-up Arthur Farley. “After that it was finished. I am super happy for Alex, he was great. This was my third final, I enjoy playing, especially with my team – called RS – and it’s really good to see us come out on top.”
Scott Over, World Sailing commercial director, says that the growth of eSailing over the past five years has been incredible. “After the eNations Cup, the eSailing World Championship has shown the depth of the sport and the potential for sailors and non-sailors alike to test themselves in true-to-life scenarios on some of the fastest boats in international sailing. I would like to thank The Ocean Race and the city of Alicante for hosting here ahead of the start of one of the world’s most iconic races.”
The eSailing World Championship Finals were supported by World Sailing and Virtual Regatta, alongside The Ocean Race and the Generalitat Valenciana a través de Distrito Digital de Alicante.
The event also marked the opening of the Ocean Live Village, the location of leg one of The Ocean Race 2022-23, which happens on 15 January 2023.
