Farley wins eSailing World Championship

Arthur Farley tops the eSailing World Championship podium © World Sailing

BSS ILCA athlete takes top spot in Stockholm

The British Sailing Squad’s Arthur Farley has won his first world championship – in eSailing.

The Isle of Wight sailor, 20, saw off some of the world’s top gamers to take the top spot at the 2024 eSailing World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden.

ILCA 7 racer Farley’s win comes after finishing runner up in the 2022 and 2023 competitions and bagged him the £5,000 top prize.

“The worlds this year was stronger than ever with three past world champions in the fleet, Farley said. 

“With two 2nd place finishes it was great to finally get the job done in the later stages of the regatta.

“I’m looking forward to next year as the game is growing all the time and fits nicely alongside my campaign.”

Arthur Farley in action at the 2023 Trofeo Princesa Sofia © Sailing Energy

Farley’s journey to the top was far from straightforward – he honed his eSailing skills during lockdown but really poured his time into it in 2023 when his career as an athlete was put on hold due to a rare cancer diagnosis.

After several months of feeling unwell, Farley was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia, a chronic blood cancer.

It was a huge blow – but Farley was determined to keep his hand in with a view to getting his Olympic dreams back on track.

“When I couldn’t do my own sailing I started playing the game a bit more,” Farley added. 

“It’s especially helped me keep somewhat mentally on track during my rough health period.”

Farley returned to racing in 2024, finishing 10th at the under 21 World Championship, and is  is keen to replicate his esailing success on the race course proper in 2025, starting with the Trofeo Princesa Sofia in Mallorca in April.