Story of the ‘Fehér Sisters’

We are often mentioned in the international sailing world as the ‘Fehér Sisters’, though in actual fact, we’re only namesakes.

But what truly connects us together is Lake Balaton, shared hard work and a very specific goal: Los Angeles 2028!

Childhood and the beginnings

We are Boróka Fehér (June 15, 2006) and Szonja Fehér (August 8, 2007). The name ‘Fehér Sisters’ stuck with us, but as far back as we can go in our family trees, there is no family connection

What we do have in common, however, is Lake Balaton. Szonja is a true Balatonfüred girl, while Boróka has connections to Balatonfüred through her mother. We both started sailing aged 9 on the northern shore of Balaton.

At the time, we raced in separate boats, and each of us was equally successfully in the Optimist class: Boróka won multiple Hungarian championships, while Szonja battled the waves right behind her.

Common point

Balaton · Northern shore · early racing experience

Foundations

Optimist class · conscious development

Mental strength

Waves, decisions, competitive situations

Boróka Fehér

“I’ve been sailing from an early age. I first sat in a small boat when I was eight, and started competing in the Optimist class at the age of 10. I started my 29er career with Szonja Fehér at the end of 2021. The results I’m the proudest of are the 3^rd place we achieved at the Youth World Championships and our first place in the women’s World Championships in 2024. Our shared vision with Szonja lies in the Olympic 49er FX class and qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.”

Szonja Fehér

“I’ve been in competitive sailing since 2017. I first started in the Optimist class where I later reached international level. In 2021 I changed classes, and since then I and Boróka Fehér have formed a very good team. We achieved our greatest success in the youth category in 2023, having come in third place in the Youth World Championships. In 2024, we managed to take a step forward, and in the World Championships in Denmark, we finished number one among the women. In 2025 together with Boróka we moved to the Olympic 49er FX class. We will do everything for our dream: qualifying for the Olympic Games.”

In the 29er boat

Since the autumn of 2021, we have competed in the same boat in the 29er class. In the past few years, we have achieved everything there is to achieve in this category.

Already in the 2022 World Championships, we came 3^rd as newcomers in the U17 category. Since then, we have been Hungarian champions, Europe Cup winners, Youth World Championships bronze medallists in Brazil, and then adult world champions in Denmark in 2024.

2022

World Championship (U17) · 3rd place (as newcomers)

2023

Youth World Championships VB · bronze medal (Brazil)

2024

Adult women’s World Championships gold (Denmark)

Challenges of the year ahead

2026 will be a major challenge for us. In 2025 we switched to the Olympic 49er FX class, while we simultaneously still competed in the 29er class in order to maintain our international racing practice.

The main focus is now on acclimatisation and a systematic build-up for this class, whilst achieving the best possible results.

Focus 2026

49er FX technique · speed · decisions · team work

Maintaining routine

International race programme · training camps · feedback

Professional background

Sports psychologist · fitness training · dietician

Olympic goals

Based on our results so far and a unanimous decision of the Hungarian Sailing Federation adopted in February 2025, we have qualified for the LA10 programme.

LA10 programme

Goal: Hungary should win ten gold medals and/or should be among the ten best nations in the next summer Olympics.

“Heading for Los Angeles, 2028!”

Qualifying is difficult: only 20 countries are eligible for participation in this boat class.

Details about our preparations

Ideal total weight: 130 kg · at present: 125 kg (diet and fitness are top priorities).

About the club

We are both members of the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club. Gábor Dénes and the Portuguese Francisco Andrade have been our coaches for years. In the autumn of 2025, they were joined by Fernando Kuo, another Portuguese with specific 49er FX expertise.

Within the club, our team members and rivals include Soma Kis-Szölgyémi / De Joghe Arthur and the Lange Brothers. Members of this cohesive team fully support and aim to improve one another. The boys race in the 49er class, while we do in the 49er FX, but cooperation is ongoing.

Coaches

Gábor Dénes · Francisco Andrade · Fernando Kuo

Team members

Soma Kis-Szölgyémi / De Joghe Arthur · Lange Brothers

Common foundations

Same hull · for women different sizes (sail / mast)

About the boat

The 49er FX women’s Olympic boat class: high speed, swift decisions, acrobatic movement and maximum precision.

Hungarian foundations – Olympic results that guide our efforts

In the past 20 years, Hungary has achieved great results in sailing as a competitive sport. In 2021 (Tokyo) Zsombor Berecz returned with a silver medal; in 2024 (Marseille) Jonatán Vadnai came fourth, while Mária Érdi came in 11^th place in the same race.

Tactical thinking acquired in low winds is often an advantage in changeable winds as well.

Why is this important for us?

Only 20 different countries can secure qualification quotas.
Earning a place in this field of 20 — made up almost exclusively of coastal and ocean-going nations — is already a remarkable achievement in itself.
So far, no Hungarian crew has even attempted to qualify in this class.

What makes the 49er / 49er FX a “skiff”?

It sails at extremely high speeds, requires fast and decisive steering, and demands near-acrobatic skill from both the crew and the helmsman — all executed with maximum precision. Continuous situational awareness, strong tactical vision, and constantly changing wind and weather conditions make it not only a physical challenge but a serious mental one as well.

Olympic results that set the direction

Over the past 20 years, Hungary has achieved increasingly strong results in competitive sailing: Zsombor Berecz returned home with a silver medal in 2021 (Tokyo), Jonatán Vadnai finished fourth in 2024 (Marseille), while Mária Érdi placed 11th at the same event.

The question sometimes arises how it is possible that sailors from a nation that starts and trains on a lake can achieve such results. The answer lies in the fact that tactical thinking learned in light-wind conditions often proves to be an advantage even in more variable winds.

Why is this important for us?

The Balaton routine combined with international experience provides a robust basis for achieving our Olympic goal.

Next step

Results in 49er FX and long-term programme step by step

Continuation of the story

If you’d like to learn more about our results, the details of our preparations or our media appearances, you can continue on the following pages.