Victoria Schultheis, sailing for Malta and representing the Royal Malta Yacht Club, has been crowned Women’s World Champion in the Moth Class, following a stellar performance at the 2025 Moth World Championships in Malcesine, Lake Garda. This impressive victory comes just months after she began competing in the high-performance foiling dinghy, known for its speed and hydrofoiling capabilities.
The prestigious event, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, drew 137 of the world’s best sailors, including Olympians and world champions. Despite unpredictable weather and early race starts to capitalize on the northerly breeze, Schultheis adapted quickly and consistently, emerging as the top-ranked female sailor. She also placed an impressive 39th overall, competing in the Gold Fleet.
Schultheis finished ahead of the reigning world champion, Hattie Rogers of Great Britain, and Germany’s Lisa Schweigert. The result follows her recent victory at Foiling Week Malcesine, also held on Lake Garda, confirming her rising status in the foiling sailing world.
Reacting to her win, Schultheis said:
“I’ve just won the Women’s World Championship and I feel fantastic. I want to thank everyone who helped me throughout the week. The whole fleet was incredibly kind and supportive over the last few months. A special thank-you to Hattie Rogers—she inspired me to get into the Moth class after I saw her racing in New Zealand.”
This is Schultheis’ second world title, having previously won the Optimist World Championship in 2016. With the next Moth Worlds more than a year away, her focus now turns to both her academic journey—an upcoming semester abroad in Sydney—and competing in the emerging Switch class, which is gaining popularity among elite sailors.
Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier praised her success, saying:
“Victoria’s achievement is a proud moment for both the Club and Maltese sailing. Her dedication, talent, and determination are a great example to aspiring sailors, and we look forward to seeing her continue to excel both on and off the water.”
Victoria Schultheis’ triumph not only underscores her talent but also highlights Malta’s growing presence in the world of high-performance sailing.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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