After a week of “all-season” weather that Mother Nature could possibly throw at the championships in Bruinisse, Netherlands, the RS Feva World Championship concluded in a day of biblical rain, with impressive down pours and 5-7 knots on the racecourse.
The RS Feva sailors were undeterred and determined to have the best final day possible on the water – all fleets braved the weather and set out in the rainstorm. The race committee managed to get one race completed but gave-way to the weather and called it a day after abandoning the second race.
Defending champions, Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield of Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, claimed victory for the second year in a row. The British pair were closely followed by local Netherlands team Doeke van Surksum and Sven van Dartel of VW Arne, in second place, who took to the podium in a celebration of jubilation from the home crowd. With a 1.0 score on their final race, William Stratton-Brown and Will Ahlheid of Frensham Pond Sailing Club, clinched Bronze.
Just 3 points behind, Italians Giulia Lusini and Camilla Parrinelli of L.N.I. Follonica narrowly missed out on the podium in the Main Category but absolutely dominated in the Female Category with a massive 43-point lead. Czech family duo, Monika Krenkova and Kristyna Krenkova of Yacht Club Lodni Sporty Brno, took Silver and Great Britain’s Rachel Elms (Hayling Island Sailing Club) and Laura Jubb (Emsworth Sailing Club) took Bronze.
In the Junior Category, there were no position changes on the final day, with Netherland’s Lucas van Eijk and Bram van Eijk of KWVL cementing their Gold. Silver went to Italy’s Edoardo Bastini and Samuele Bardelli of Club Nautico San Bartolomeo al Mare. Bronze went to Netherland’s Bram Ten Berge and Sacha Verwoolde of WV Braassemermeer.
The Mixed Category winners were Great Britain’s Zoe Lomas-Clarke and Mark Soars of Frensham Pond Sailing Club. Two Italian teams took home the Silver and Bronze; Emma Bert and Achille Angelini of Fraglia Vela Riva followed by Guido Usardi and Maria Fogazzi of Circolo Vela Toscolano Maderno.
For the Family Category, Netherlands Lucas and Bram van Eijk from home club KWVL got their second Gold medals of the day, followed by Monika and Kristyna Krenkova of Yacht Club Lodni Sporty Brno who also got another Silver. Great Britain’s Thomas and Daniel Whitehead of Filey Sailing Club scooped up Bronze.
The prize giving ceremony featured incredible prizes from Magic Marine alongside lots of wonderful speeches.
Lucy Jameson bids farewell
An emotional farewell was given to Lucy Jameson on completing her final Worlds as International Class Secretary. The sailors, volunteers, coaches and parents gave her a heartfelt send-off with a standing ovation and lots of kind words. After seven years of running the class, she passes the mantel onto Chrissie Le Petit, who already has plenty of experience as the UK Class Admin.
“It is incredible what you can achieve with an amazing team; from the young helpers, volunteers, jury, class association, race team, and RS team, to the wonderful Frans, Richard and Marieke, the 2024 RS Feva Worlds will be firmly placed in the memory bank as one to remember,” says Lucy. “The racing may not have been whizzy (thanks to the weather!), but I am confident that every sailor, family member, supporter, and coach had a fantastic time. I am proud of what we collectively achieved to deliver such a superb event.”
Once again, the RS Feva Class Association would like to thank everyone who’s hard work goes on behind the scenes. From host’s Aquavitesse through to the volunteers, coaches and parents who travel far and wide to support the sport, we couldn’t run these events without you. Thanks also to our sponsors; Provincie Zeeland, Magic Marine, Kuiper Verzekeringen, Gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland and RS Sailing.
The final results can be found here alongside the full photo gallery from Oli King Photography.
