Report by Lucy Jameson
The RS Feva World Championship 2022 was a true rollercoaster of fabulous sailing, great socials and wonderful experiences for all involved.
Being at the 2012 Olympic Games venue at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, we knew we would get to work with the best of the best. The race team was headed up by Principal Race Officer Mark Woods and together with his team we saw some terrific racing on the water and a great time off the water too. A notable and rather fun addition to the racing was the opportunity to use the amazing MarkSetBots, meaning our racecourse was made up entirely of remote-control electric marks. We did miss our friendly mark layers on the course but using the electric marks significantly reduced the environmental impact.
The qualification series ran over two days and saw a faultless display of boat handling and tactics from Team Finland Freddie Sunderland and Stella Nygard, the blustery, summer winds certainly proving to be their perfect conditions. They were on joint points, behind saw Simon Cooke and Arthur Rebbeck from New Zealand and GBRs Tristian Ahlheid and Finlay Lomas-Clarke, who both carried 2.5 into the final series.
Fears of lack of wind for the first day of the final series were soon quashed as sailors enjoyed another three full races. New Zealand’s Simon and Arthur’s rocket fast downwind boat speed gave them three race wins, but it was behind the Kiwis that the battle for World Champion was really taking place. In the RS Feva fleet, we welcome family team combinations of parent-child and such like as we know only too well how much a young sailor’s confidence can be boosted by this experience but the Worlds title can only be won by Helm and Crew age 18 or under on the 31st December of the year of the event.
It was an event that was decided on the very last race, a total nail-biter for the loved ones watching, no doubt, but the cool heads and determination of GBRs Joseph Jones and Charlie Howard saw them sail through the finish line of the last race far enough ahead of FIN Freddie and Stella and GBRs Tristan Ahlheid and Finlay Lomas-Clarke. In doing so, crowned Joseph and Charlie the RS Feva World Championships 2022.
Conditions throughout the event proved to be the perfect mix to challenge our sailors as they experienced a mix of reasonably light, shifty to decent windy days. The ability and confidence of all the sailors clear for all to see. Throughout Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets sailors appeared to give it everything they had. The RS Feva fleet continues to be a friendly and inclusive class, and long may it continue. Happy memories of great racing, superb socials, friends made for life, and so much more.
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