Nicosia: Cyprus sailor and Olympic medalist Pavlos Kontides has achieved the No. 1 spot in the World Ranking for Laser type boats (ILCA7), marking the first time in 28 months and the fifth time in his illustrious career.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the last time the Cypriot sailor held the top position was in April 2023. Kontides first rose to the No. 1 ranking from October 2017 to April 2018. He regained the position from March 2020 to March 2021, and again from November 2021 to August 2022. “Holding the No. 1 spot in the world is a proud moment, but not the finish line. It’s a checkpoint on a long journey of hard work, discipline, and relentless learning. Every point earned is a reflection of the team, the trust, and the daily grind,” Kontides stated. He emphasized that his focus now shifts to the European Championship in Marstrand, Sweden, scheduled for 9-16 August.
The updated World Ranking list shows Kontides has accumulated 861 points, positioning him ahead of Irishman Finn Lynch with 813 points and Italian Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini with 808 points. In 2025, Kontides secured a bronze medal at the fourth Grand Slam in Los Angeles and a silver at the World Championships in Qingdao, China.