Resilience and Rhythm: MM Sailing USA at the F18 Worlds 2025

At the F18 World Championships 2025 in Noordwijk, Netherlands, Team MM Sailing USA, Matthieu Marfaing and Emmanuel “Manu” Bourlogne, finished 7th overall out of 96 boats, earning the title of Top 🇫🇷/🇺🇸 crew.
This Worlds was our opportunity to measure ourselves against the world’s best.
It was a demanding week of unpredictable Dutch weather, too much wind, too little, and sometimes waves breaking right on the beach, but through patience, precision, and teamwork, we secured another strong international result and confirmed our place among the world’s top F18 teams.

We arrived in Noordwijk a week early to reconnect as a team after our last event together, the Worrell 1000 Race 2024. It was also my first time sailing the brand-new Cirrus R3, a powerful, stable, and responsive F18 built in France. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t make things easy. Too windy, too calm, or massive surf on the beach. We managed only three training sessions before racing began.
Once the regatta started, it was all about adaptation. From storm-force winds to light thermals, every day brought a new challenge. We qualified solidly into the Gold Fleet after consistent sailing and finished the championship with four strong final races.
Crossing the line 7th overall felt like victory. The fleet level was incredibly high, with Australian teams dominating the top spots, but we proved once again that consistency and teamwork beat chaos.
For MM Sailing USA, this result was a statement: with the new F18 Cirrus R3, we can now challenge the best in the world, and we’re only getting stronger.

Beyond the competition, this trip was special on a personal level. Staying near Amsterdam allowed me to reconnect with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. Moments of peace before the storm of racing.
On the water, Manu and I rediscovered our rhythm after months apart. We laughed, argued, adjusted, and learned. That’s what real teamwork looks like.
Finishing 7th/96 in such a demanding championship reminded me that success isn’t just about trophies, it’s about resilience, balance, and the people who make it possible.
From the surf launches to the champagne finish, Noordwijk 2025 will stay with us for a long time.