From October 21 to 25, 2025, Club Nàutic Estartit hosted the 505 International Class European Championship, one of the most important events on the international dinghy sailing calendar. For five days, L’Estartit became the meeting point for numerous European and international crews, who competed in the waters of the Costa Brava, set against a unique natural backdrop with the Illes Medes.
A week of high-level competition on the Costa Brava
On October 21, the championship kicked off with a day dedicated to registrations, technical inspections, and official training sessions. This first day allowed the teams to adapt to the wind and sea conditions of the Empordà coast and concluded with an opening ceremony and welcome cocktail for all participants.
On October 22, with a south wind of 14 knots, the first official races began. The conditions were ideal for enjoying sailing at the highest level, and the fleet delivered a display of precision and speed on the L’Estartit racecourse.
The second day, marked by a tramontana wind of up to 25 knots, tested the sailors’ skill and endurance. Despite the demanding conditions, races were successfully contested, showcasing a high level of competition and the crews’ remarkable expertise.
The weather only allowed the races to take place during the first two days, but that didn’t lessen the excitement of the competition. The atmosphere at the Club was excellent, with social activities, moments of togetherness, and a sporting spirit shared by the entire 505 community.
Official Results of the 505 European Championship
- 1st place and European Champions: Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell – Great Britain
- 2nd place: Jan-Phillip Hofmann and Felix Brockerhoff – Germany
- 3rd place: Howard Hamlin and Andy Zinn – USA
- 4th place: Mike Holt and Rob Woelfel – Germany
- 5th place: Paul Brotherthon and James Fawcett – Great Britain
- 6th place: Michael Quirk and Tim Needham – Australia
Special awards
- Best female team: Nicola Birkner and Angela Stenger – Germany
- Best mixed team: Ludovic Roblin and Florence Lebrun – France
- Best senior team: Howard Hamlin and Andy Zinn – USA
- Best “vintage” boat: Ludovic Roblin and Florence Lebrun – France
The International 505 Class
The 505 is a two-person dinghy designed for high-performance racing. Created in 1953 by designer John Westell, it is known for its combination of speed, planing ability, and technical adjustability. Key technical data:
- Crew: 2 people (helmsman and crew with trapeze)
- Overall length: 5.05 m
- Maximum beam: 1.88 m
- Minimum weight: 127.4 kg
- Sail area: mainsail and jib ~14 m², spinnaker ~27 m²
- Rig: fractional sloop rig, allowing a wide variety of adjustments
The 505 Class combines the one-design philosophy, which ensures equality among boats, with the freedom to optimize technical aspects of the setup, making it one of the most attractive classes for experienced sailors. From Club Nàutic Estartit, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to all sailors, technical teams, judges, volunteers, and collaborators who made this championship possible. This edition of the 505 European Championship 2025 has been a significant milestone for our Club. We are proud to have contributed to raising the profile of the 505 Class and establishing L’Estartit as a European reference for competitive sailing.