San Pedro, Los Angeles, USA – 28 July 2025.
The recently concluded 2025 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships at Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro, Los Angeles, delivered thrilling international youth sailing competition, with over 30 nations represented. While European sailors dominated overall—claiming all four Gold medals and nine of the 12 total podium spots—the performances from South America stood out spectacularly, earning two Silver medals and raising the region’s profile in competitive sailing.
Isabella Suazo PER clinched Silver in the Girls’ overall fleet, finishing just behind world champion Blanca Ferrando Babe of Spain. Suazo totaled 66 points—close behind the winner—securing an impressive second-place overall finish.
World Runner-up! I’m very happy with the results achieved at this World Championship. This medal is not just a ranking; it’s the reflection of many hours of training, mistakes, sacrifices, ups and downs, but above all, learning… I close my ILCA 4 chapter in the best way and will continue preparing for everything that’s coming in ILCA 6 – Isabella Suazo PER.
Erik Scheidt BRA secured Silver in the Boys’ overall fleet, finishing second behind Greece’s Konstantinos Portosalte. Scheidt amassed 77 points to Portosalte’s 46, edging out other finalists to claim the runner-up spot.
ILCA 4 Vice-World Champion! Just no words to describe this feeling, even better after a comeback – Erik Scheidt BRA.
Both athletes demonstrated consistency and skill across the six final races in varied conditions, from light sea breezes to stronger afternoon winds. Suazo held her position among the top competitors throughout the regatta, while Scheidt remained within the top five from the early rounds through to the finals.
Livia Tavares BRA and Lara Rubini PER among the girls, and Felipe Fridrich BRA, Salvador Marchena PER, Teodoro Guadagnin BRA, Alan Mathisson URU and Uthar Sotero BRA among the boys, also delivered strong performances, qualifying for the Gold fleet and finishing 28th, 33rd, 22nd, 24th, 39th, 66th and 69th respectively, among world’s top competitors.
Alejandra Aldunate CHI, Martim Amaral BRA, Gabriel Giuria PER, Magno MacArio BRA and Richi Paz URU completed South America’s strong representation at the Worlds in Los Angeles.
About ILCA 4 Youth World Championships
The ILCA 4 Youth World Championships is a premier international sailing event, bringing together young sailors from around the world to compete at the highest level in the ILCA 4 class. The competition offers a platform for talented athletes to showcase their skills, make lifelong connections, and take the next step toward elite sailing careers.
Report by Agustín Argüelles – ILCA | Photos by Simone Staff – Seaster Media.