Royal Malta Yacht Club sailor Victoria Schultheis has been named Female Foiling Sailor of the Year 2025 at the Foiling Awards IX, held in Genoa. The 25-year-old German-Maltese sailor earned the prestigious accolade following a standout season on the international foiling circuit, where she has established herself among the leading names in one of the sport’s most technically demanding disciplines.
A Season of Breakthrough Performance
Schultheis’ recognition reflects a dominant 2025 campaign across foiling classes, underpinned by consistency, speed, and a clear upward trajectory in elite competition. Her transition into the International Moth class has been particularly notable, with rapid adaptation to its highly technical demands and uncompromising performance thresholds.
Having first competed in the Switch class, Schultheis demonstrated a steep learning curve, quickly progressing into the upper echelons of international foiling—an achievement that underscores both her athletic capability and technical proficiency.
Foundations Built in Malta
Schultheis began sailing in St Paul’s Bay at a young age, at the Malta Young Sailors Club. Training with Olympian Jean Paul Fleri Soler, alongside her siblings, Richard and Antonia Schultheis, further contributed to a competitive yet collaborative environment that fostered progression from grassroots to high-performance sailing.
Olympic Campaign and Transition
Continuing her development at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Schultheis embarked on an Olympic campaign for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, competing in a double-handed class alongside her sister Antonia. The campaign, supported by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the Maltese Olympic Committee, and the Malta Sailing Federation, culminated in a near miss for qualification—falling short by a single place.
While ending in disappointment, the campaign proved instrumental in refining her tactical awareness, physical conditioning, and competitive mindset. Following this cycle, Schultheis made a strategic shift to single-handed foiling—an inflection point that has since defined her current trajectory.
Operating at the Highest Level
Beyond competition, Schultheis has also integrated into the professional sailing circuit through her involvement with the Germany SailGP Team, where she serves as a reserve strategist. This exposure to elite-level race environments and data-driven performance analysis has further strengthened her development.
A Landmark Achievement
Being named Female Foiling Sailor of the Year at the Foiling Awards places Schultheis among the foremost athletes in a discipline that represents the cutting edge of sailing.
Her progression—from local waters in Malta to the global foiling stage—reflects both individual commitment and the strength of Malta’s sailing ecosystem in developing world-class talent.
Commenting on the achievement, Mark Napier, Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, said:
“We are immensely proud to have welcomed Victoria into the Club’s fold and to see her achieve recognition at this level. This award shows her dedication and the professionalism she brings to the sport. We are confident that this is only the beginning, and that we will be hearing much more of Victoria in the years ahead.”
As foiling continues to redefine competitive sailing, Schultheis’ trajectory suggests that this recognition may well be a precursor to even greater achievements on the international stage.
