When the International RS Feva Class took the leap to host the World Championships in the United States, the search was on for a venue that would deliver fantastic sailing conditions, amazing atmosphere, fantastic weather and a whole pile of RS Feva fun. Clearwater, Florida was chosen and Clearwater delivered on all counts. The sailors have had a fabulous time and judging by some of the stories in the dinghy park, so did the partners and coaches.
On the last day of racing there were 4 points separating the top 2 boats and clearly both teams were nervous as the fleet headed out under the bridge into the gulf. The breeze was very light but the PRO was determined to try and get the final races in. The course was laid and the sailors were soon in sequence. As the fleet crossed the line, what breeze there was faded away and within a few minutes of the start the PRO had no choice but to abandon.
The fleet rehydrated and additional sun cream was applied as they drifted about waiting for the forecasted breeze to appear. The PRO ordered the media boat, affectionately known as the ‘Mediocre Boat’ into the fleet to entertain the frustrated teams. The loaned Mediocre boat was fitted with a huge sound system and the fleet was encouraged to dance, swim, dive and simply have some fun.
At 1 pm after a lengthy discussion between the PRO and the RS Feva Class the decision was made to abandon for the day as there was no sign of the forecasted breeze. As the flags were hoisted the cheers rung out around the gulf from all the relieved sailors and the celebrations could begin. The RS Feva class had new World Champions, overall & mixed team Ben Hunton-Penman and Abi Jayasekara, Ladies Annie Hammett and Emma Wells, Boys Tom Storey and Rupert Jameson, Junior Femme Rijk and Silke Zuidema and the family title going to William Caiger and Becky Caiger.
It is amazing to see the strength of the RS Feva Fleet worldwide with 5 nations represented in the top ten. Ben and Abbey absolutely deserved their title. The USA Team Dieter and Conrad also sailed an outstanding week – tough competition and only 2 points between first and second.
Overall top 10
1st – GBR7063 Ben Hutton-Penman & Abi Jayasekara
2nd – GBR7064 Tom Storey & Rupert Jameson
3rd – USA6851 Dieter Creitz & Conrad Miller
4th – CZE6965 Jakub Dobry & Veronika Cibulkova
5th – GBR6985 William Caiger & Becky Caiger
6th – NED7026 Robbert Huisman & Gijs Zuidema
7th – GBR7038 Joshua Davies & Freddie Ellis
8th – GBR7030 Annie Hammett & Emma Wells
9th – AUT7031 Johanna Böckl & Benjamin Kogard
10th – CZE6968 Petr Tupý & Dan Višcor
