RS Feva Worlds report

Allen & Magic Marine RS Feva Worlds 2011

The story in one paragraph: 160 RS Fevas from 3 continents gathered on the shores of a brand new major event location at Bruinisse on the Grevelingen Lake in Holland. The 2 day qualification series started with a proper blow. Had the blow continued there is little doubt that Jovian Short & James Barlow would now be World Champions such was their awesome dominance. The wind then got much lighter and different teams took their turn at glory hunting. One day was canned due to inappropriately light wind but the fun was saved with aerobics and dance routines, beach volleyball, football and aquaballs. By the final day it was a two boat shootout and an opportunity for the Dutch girls Floor & Sterre Vrijenhoek to almost grab the Ladies Champions title as well as the bronze medal although they ultimately took first place not on podium . Ultimately Matt Whitfield & Scott Wallis sailed a brilliant series and are deserving World Champions relegating last years winners, Owen Bowerman & Charlie Darling to the Silver medal with Bronze scooped by Robert Baddeley & James Taylor.

And with a bit more detail!: Given the overdue nature (too much growing in the winter) of Short & Barlow’s move into 29ers it was unlikely that they would maintain there first day dominance as the winds eased during the week. The strong breeze allowed the British Team, who have a preponderance of breeze during training, to dominate the leaderboard early on in the event. As the lighter winds came through the heavier teams like the above and the likes of Tucker & Collino fell away a bit whilst the lighter teams made their presence felt. Matteo Pilati & Mattia Duchi from Italy put together a final two days (6^th), that repeated over the whole event would have had them nibbling away at the podium places. Debbie and Tommy Darling made a strong bid for the family award but two false starts put paid to their overall threat (5^th).

Morgan Peach & Herbie Harford missed challenging for the Italians position in 6^th by the margin of one poor windshift in the last race! Italians Leonardo Stocchero & Rainer Sanchez comefortably took 8^th ahead of their compatriots Francesca Bergamo & Allessandra Dubbini who were also 2^nd ladies team. Rounding out the top 10 were Father/daughter combo Graeme & Hannah Bristow who had marvellous moments including some good support from Hannah’s godfather on the blog! Third ladies team in 11^th overall (on a tie break from the Bristows) were yet more Italians, Camilla & Giorgia Angiolini.

Leading British ladies team were Anna Prescott & Jess Eales in 14^th overall (4^th ladies) and that was on a losing tiebreak from the top Estonians Georg Haud & Jaan Pihel. 12^th were the leading Swedes Emil Andersson & Dennis Fonseca Karlsson. Top HKG were Matt Hollis & Scarlett Manzoni in 19^th. Conor & Dab O’Beirne were the toast of the Irish during this rebuilding year following their stupendous success last year. Herman Bordal & Dominykas Rubinskas led the terrific Norwegians home whilst Pernille Husby Nielsen & Daniel Hannesbo were magnificent competitors for Denmark and would have given many more a fright if the Aeolius had puffed harder and longer.

Hugely satisfying to the class chairman (as that was where he learned to sail!) was the performance of Herve Houard & Yannick Bongaerts from Belgium who won the silver fleet. Second were Lucy & Sophie Caseldine whilst third was snaffled by Cameron Webber & Jo Fenwick.

World Junior Champions (U13 at end 2011) are Courtney Bilbrough & Orla Mitchell who sail out of Docklands Watersports & Sailing Centre, runners up are Caroline Heiberg & Marie Bordal (NOR) whilst 3^rd place was deservedly taken by two of the nicest Spanish kids ever Albert Gelpi & Eduard Boneta.

Bronze fleet winners were Emma & Jessica Scourfield who had an awful first day but were brilliant thereafter. They beat into 2^nd Veronique de By & Guus Dutilh from the home nation who bar for a slip on the final day would have been more troublesome whilst third was the ever improving Samuel Grade with the incredible Katie Prescott who always seems to win something!

Special mention must go to DJ Henk who took his Disco boat house out onto the course and entertained whilst the race committee was relaying the course (See photo!). That brings us to the race officer – Peter Annink. If running a junior or youth event in particular, but I imagine the same for adults) you will not find a better man in Holland. I’ve never before had 14 year olds come off the water praising the PRO. That says it all and it wasn’t just the one who said that. The Royal Maas were just awesome in the depth and detail of their organisation. A worthy 160 boats to celebrate their 160^th anniversary. The Prom night was celebrated in fine fashion by all but the Irish outfits and the Hong Kong enthusiasm are worthy of singling out. It isn’t worth risking ones hearing and sanity by dragging the chairman onto the stage for some Karaoke either. The British coaches challenge in Aquaball (zorbing to some) racing clearly allowed the outgoing NJS coach to indulge in some sharp practice when his opponent mysteriously sank with the zipper having ‘failed’. And final mention to Richard & Marieka from Aquavitesse without whose tireless efforts on site nothing would have been nearly as smooth!