49erFX Europeans: Antonia and Georgia Go Gold in Greece

2025 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 European Championships – Day 6 Credit: Nikos Pantis

June 12, 2025

Long-time Canadian world contenders Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester, NS  finally won their first big gold medal in 49erFX at the 2025 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships that ended on Sunday in Thessaloniki, GRE.

Sitting in sixth position after the first day of racing, the sisters made their way up to the top of the podium throughout the week, winning four of the 13 races held and finishing in the top 10 in ten of them. They moved into first place ahead of Sunday’s Medal Race and, in the final event of the competition which included the top 10 boats from the preliminary races, the sisters kept hold of the first spot by finishing first in that very last race as well.

Marla Bergmann and Hanna Wille from Germany won silver, followed by Aleksandra Melzacka and Sandra Jankowiak from Poland, who took bronze.

This is the second consecutive podium performance for Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance. At the second Sailing Grand Slam Series event of the season, French Olympic Week, held at the end of April in Hyères, FRA, the Canadian sailors won the bronze medal.

Thessaloniki is also where the sisters won their first-ever medal at a senior championship in 2021.

“It feels amazing,” said Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance. “It’s our first win at a major event, but we also know that there’s a lot of work to do for LA 2028.”

A total of 236 sailors and 118 boats were registered for the event, including 56 boats in 49er, 33 in 49erFX and 29 in Nacra 17.

Among other Canadians racing in the event, Thomas and William Staples from Beaconsfield, QC, took the 42nd spot in 49er, while Galen Richardson (Toronto) and Madeline Gillis (Halifax) finished in 20th position in Nacra 17.

  With files from Sailing Canada