Day 1 – The Australian team “Aftershock” leads after the first day, dominating all three races
The Platu25 World Sailing Championship officially kicked off today, September 16. The event is organized by the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese and sponsored by the municipalities of San Benedetto and Ascoli Piceno, along with the Marche Region and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Ascoli.
This morning marked the first of four days of competition, won by the Australian team Aftershock (owner Mark Griffith), followed by the Italian team from Ass.Velica Senigallia (Marco Angiolini) and the Japanese Sailing Team (Takeru Tanakamaru) in second and third place, respectively. The event will conclude on Saturday, September 19, with the award ceremony for the world champion.
“We had a fantastic day today,” said Mark Griffith, “and it was really great to be here, with splendid conditions and top-notch crews. Being in first place after the first day makes us extremely happy, and we’re enjoying every moment. We expected to be very competitive, but winning all three races on the first day was unexpected.”
There are twenty crews registered. representing Italy are the LNI Mandello del Lario with “Pirillina” and “Kong Bambino Viziato”; the Associazione Velica Senigallia ASD with “Fandango”; the LNI Brindisi Chapter with “Thats Amore”; the Circolo Vela Sicilia ASD with “Ursa Minor”; the Reale Circolo Canottieri Tevere Remo ASD with “Bonaventura”; and the C.V. Ventoforte with “Flash Cube.”
Lithuania is represented by “Manu” and “Mas que Nada” from the Gero Veko Klubas. Portugal is represented by the GC Naval Faro with “Nanu,” while Japan is represented by the Japanese Team with “Willi.” Rounding out the list are France, with the CNVA and “Black Flag,” and Australia, with the CYCA and “EUZ II.”
The Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese has a particularly large contingent, fielding six boats: “Alchimia,” “Duna,” “Ecclevi,” “Stralunata,” “Setball,” and “Bastian Contrario.”
Day 2 – The Australian team remains in the lead after the second day
The winners of today’s three races: Lithuania won the first; Australia swept the second and third races with “Aftershock.”
On September 17, the second day of the Platu25 World Sailing Championship took place, organized by the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese and sponsored by the municipalities of San Benedetto and Ascoli Piceno, together with the Marche Region and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Ascoli.
All three scheduled races were held again today. In the first race, Lithuania’s “Manu” (owned by Radvilas Janulonis) took first place, followed by LNI Mandello del Lario’s “Pirillina” in second and “Aftershock” in third.
In the second and third races, the Australian team “Aftershock” (owned by Mark Griffith) returned to the top of the standings. On the podium for the second race were C.V. Ventoforte with “Flash Cube” and the San Benedetto-based Ecclevì (featuring current and former ILCA class athletes); in the third race, the Lithuanians on “Manu” took second place again, followed by the Italian team from the Senigallia Sailing Association (“Fandango” – Marco Angiolini)
In the overall standings, after six races and with one discard as per the rules, Aftershock continues to lead, followed by Fandango from the Senigallia Sailing Association and the Lithuanian team led by Radvilas Janulonis on “Manu.”
Day 3 – Aftershock Still in the Lead
Results from Day 3: Lithuania won the first race, followed by another Australian one-two finish with Aftershock taking first and second in the second and third races.
On September 18, the third day of the Platu25 Class World Sailing Championship took place, organized by the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese and sponsored by the municipalities of San Benedetto and Ascoli Piceno, along with the Marche Region and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Ascoli.
All three scheduled races were held again today. In the first race, Lithuania’s “Manu” (owner Radvilas Janulonis) took first place, followed by another Lithuanian boat, “Mas Que Nada,” in second, and the LNI Mandello del Lario with “Kong Bambino Viziato” in third; in the second and third races, the Australians aboard “Aftershock” (owner Mark Griffith) returned to the top of the standings. On the podium for the second race were two Italian crews: C.V. Ventoforte with “Flash Cube” and the Senigallia Sailing Association ASD with “Fandango”; in the third race, the Senigallia Sailing Association ASD took second place, while the Lithuanians on “Manu” finished third.
Thanks to this impressive performance by the crew from the Marche region, the Senigallia Sailing Association ASD is now in second place overall in the general standings heading into the final day of racing, behind the Australian team Aftershock, with the Lithuanians on “Manu” in third.
Final Day – Australia wins the Platu25 World Champion with “Aftershock”
Second place went to the Senigallia Sailing Association (ASD), and third place to the Lithuanians from the Gero vėjo klubas sailing club.
On September 19, the Platu25 World Sailing Championship came to a close. The event was organized by the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese and sponsored by the municipalities of San Benedetto and Ascoli Piceno, along with the Marche Region and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Ascoli.
Unpredictable weather delayed the crews’ start until almost the very last moment before the “time limit” set by the rules; consequently, the final day concluded with only one race completed, bringing the final tally to ten out of a possible twelve, since all races had been held on previous days—a result noteworthy in its own right.
The race was won by the Lithuanian team led by owner Radvilas Janulonis, aboard the boat “Manu,” followed by the Senigallia Sailing Association (ASD) with “Fandango” and “Flash Cube” from C.V. Ventoforte.
Today’s result sealed the victory for the Australian team Aftershock, which won seven of the ten races: a complete domination that the other crews nevertheless sought to counter with dedication and professionalism. Proof of this is the splendid second-place finish by the Senigallia Sailing Association ASD with “Fandango” and the third-place finish by the Lithuanians led by owner Radvilas Janulonis.
The Platu25 World Championship thus comes to a close with outstanding athletic performances, supported by the seamless organization provided by the entire staff of the Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese.
“This was a highly anticipated championship,” said CNS President Giacomo Forti, “one that rightfully takes its place among the most prestigious chapters in our club’s history as we approach our 60th anniversary. “I would, of course, like to thank the municipal governments of San Benedetto del Tronto and Ascoli Piceno, the sponsors, and the media for their coverage of the event, but special praise goes to my board members and all the young members of the club who went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly.”
Mark Griffith, owner and helmsman of the winning team, also commented on the organization: “It’s incredible—we’ve had such a great time here in San Benedetto del Tronto; the hospitality has been simply fantastic for me. The competition was fair; we’re satisfied with our result and our performance at the World Championship. Aside from this morning, all the scheduled races were held—everything was fantastic.”
Here are the final standings for the 2026 Platu25 Class World Sailing Championship, from first to tenth place.
- Team Aftershock – Mark Griffith, Australia
- Fandango (ITA) – Marco Angiolini, Ass. Velica Senigallia
- Keturi Vejai – Radvilas Janulonis, Lituania
- Flash Cube – Emanuele De Martinis Terra, CV Ventoforte
- Takeru Takanamaru – JPN Sailing Team
- La Revoltosa – Aurelio Grikinis, Lituania
- Ecclevi – Circolo Nautico Sambenedettese
- Kong Bambino Viziato – Richard Martini, LNI Mandello del Lario
- Velenamente – Circolo Canottieri Remo Italia
- Pirillina – Claudio Fasoli, LNI Mandello del Lario
