The 2025 Seychelles Challenge delivered a sailing spectacle like no other, combining world-class racing with the raw beauty of the Indian Ocean.

• Over six days, the fleet of competitive sailors faced everything from sunshine and still waters to challenging races and gorgeous beaches.
• Towering swells and high winds tested sailors’ limits during the dramatic final legs of the Seychelles Challenge.
• The week ended in style with a tropical awards evening at Eden Bleu Hotel, celebrating grit, teamwork, and island spirit.
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As the Challenge passed its halfway point, Day 4 greeted competitors with their toughest conditions yet. A planned anti-clockwise route around La Digue was quickly revised when a 2-meter swell made sailing on the southern side of the island particularly treacherous. With safety in mind, race officials adjusted the finish line to just outside La Digue Harbour, transforming what was meant to be a longer leg into a high-concentration sprint.

The prevailing strategy? Conservative sailing. Those who played it smart, reefing sails and resisting the temptation to push too hard, reaped the rewards. Team Knot So Fast, Just Furious, skippered by Tony Norris, continued their dominant streak with another win. Team Mischief (Hylton Hale) came in second, while Team Motor and Sail Investment (Rob Sharp & Stuart Loxton) finally found their groove, taking a well-earned third.

Day 5 brought even more drama as the fleet set out on a 25-nautical-mile leg from La Digue to St. Anne Island. What was forecasted as a 2-meter swell turned into a punishing 3-meter sea state, with winds gusting beyond 30 knots. Conditions were brutal – with sea spray, steering challenges, and a few bouts of seasickness along the way.

Still, the racing remained tight. Team Tourism Seychelles, led by Gilbert Victor, claimed line honours with an aggressive lead. But after corrected time calculations, it was Team Knot So Fast, Just Furious once again at the top of the leaderboard.

A post-race redress hearing saw a surprising shake-up. Confusion over two separate “#1” markers led some teams to finish at the wrong line. After using velocity prediction software, officials adjusted Day 5’s results, officially placing:
• 1st: Team Bikinis & Bowlines (Justin Clohessy)
• 2nd: Team Tourism Seychelles
• 3rd: Team #wheresal (Andre Joubert & Belinda Dickson)

The final leg of the Seychelles Challenge – The ABSA Challenge – was a thrilling 11-nautical-mile dash from the south of St. Anne Island, around Brisaire Rocks, and back. The wind remained fierce, peaking at 28 knots and making for a testing but exhilarating end to the week.

There was no room for error. Team Knot So Fast, Just Furious once again proved their mastery, claiming both line honours and the overall Challenge win. Team Bikinis & Bowlines sailed a stellar race to take second, and Team Tourism Seychelles rounded out the podium in third.

Adding even more excitement, the Fareast 28R fleet joined the action for their final race, with Team The Love Boat claiming the top spot in their division. With sails furled and sea spray washed away, the teams traded their deck shoes for something a little more formal at the Awards Evening hosted at the elegant Eden Bleu Hotel. Laughter, applause, and stories from a week at sea filled the tropical night air as champions were crowned and camaraderie celebrated.

Overall Multihull Results – Seychelles Challenge:
1. Team Knot So Fast, Just Furious
2. Team Bikinis & Bowlines
3. Team Tourism Seychelles
4. Team Mischief
5. Team #wheresal
6. Team Motor and Sail Investment

Overall Monohull Winner:
• Team Ocean Sailing Academy

Spirit of Seychelles Challenge Award:
• Team Motor and Sail Investment – for their resilience, enthusiasm, and passion for the sport.

Fareast 28R Overall Results:
1. Team The Love Boat
2. Team Forever Young
3. Team Anunnaki

ABSA Youth Challenge – Overall:
1. Joshua Allcorn
2. Luca Marzocchi
3. Ella Constance

ABSA Youth Challenge – Girls:
1. Ella Constance
2. Elisha Moustache
3. Keryl Gerry

From tactical racing and spontaneous course changes to roaring swells and record-breaking winds, the 2025 Seychelles Challenge was everything a fun sailing event should be – exhilarating, beautiful, and unforgettable. With new faces on the podium, seasoned sailors tested to their limits, and young talent rising through the ranks, the week was a celebration of seamanship and the spirit of the Seychelles.

Here’s to calm seas, fierce races, and the return of the Challenge in 2026!

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