Dutch pair win F18 World Championship

by Event media on 12 Jul 2008
On the final day of racing for the F18 Worlds a constant track record, nerves of steel and calm sailing over the competition ensured young Dutch team Coen de Koning and Jeroen van Leeuwen swept the top spot by two points. Despite disappointing results in both races on the final day, a solid performance throughout the championship has crowned the Dutch pair as F18 World champions 2008.

What looked promising with the start procedure on time for the first time all week, a south westerly of 7-8 knots seemed an even bigger challenge for the 66-strong gold fleet than the gusts of the day before.

The top five teams on the leader board huddled by the committee boat once again and as the fleet split, the boats more at ease in the big breeze were notably struggling in the lighter airs.

It is never over until it’s ever - and it was certainly the case in Nigran for racing day 5. A constant track record, nerves of steel and calm sailing over the competition ensured young Dutch team Coen de Koning and Jeroen van Leeuwen swept the top spot by two points. Despite disappointing results in both races on the final day, a solid performance throughout the championship has crowned NED 3 as F18 World champions 2008.

For the rest of the fleet, suspense all round. A change of course during race 4 and it was Dutch Hobie Cat team Mischa Heemskerk and Bastiaan Tentij in front closely hunted down by AUS 308 Andrew Landenberger and Felix Egner; separated from the top spot by just a matter of points. The ‘James Bond’ duo of the competition clearly with something to prove, were once again giving a full demonstration of their speed and talent, to extend to an impressive lead ahead of the fleet.

But it was to prove an excellent day for German team Helge and Christian Sach, who made an impressive comeback in the last run; hitting the tactical nail on the head, headed left and in a battle of wits with NED 007 provided some of the most spectacular match racing of the whole event. Just two hundred metres from the line GER 164 crossed the Dutch, who were saved by some fine maneuvering and boat speed to win race 4. A steady race 5, and disappointing results from their closest contenders was enough for Heemskerk and Tentij to clinch third on the podium.

As conditions remained light, at times near total calm in certain areas, the course was to prove a true puzzle of wit for all. French multi-hull expert, Franck Cammas and Jeremy Lagarrigue gave a steady, skilful performance and grabbed second on the podium – an impressive premiere for Cammas, new to the F18 competition.

With a disappointing race 5, fellow countrymen Jean-Christophe Mourniac and Franck Citeau were pipped to the post finishing fourth overall.

The tough course was to prove an obstacle for British Olympian Hugh Styles and Adam Piggott whose two firsts the day before not quite enough for a podium but a solid fifth for GBR 957.

Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis definitively not as happy in the light breeze had a demanding day moving the F18 World Champion away from chances at the top and to sixth place on the leader board.

An impressive level gave competitors and spectators alike a wonderful week of racing with conditions to test the competence of the fleet to its full. Noteworthy performances from a number of teams including Gunnar Larsen and Stefan Dubbeldam on NED 955, Andrew Landenberger and Felix Egner (AUS 308), Andrew Macpherson and Ferdinand Van West (AUS 959) and Vaireux and Petit (FRA 56510).

Silver group was dominated by British duo Martin and Sam Chadder, with a second to Swedish team Fredrik Karlsson and Gustaf Nyblaeus and Dutch team Coert and Marius van Dam in third.

F18 Worlds - Final leading positions (66 Gold fleet)

1 NED 3 Coen de Koning, Netherlands, Jeroen van Leeuwen 40

2 FRA 1 Cammas Franck, France, Lagarrigue Jeremy 42

3 NED 7 Mischa Heemskerk, Netherlands, Bastiaan Tentij 45

4 FRA 11 Jean-Christophe Mourniac, France, Franck Citeau 50

5 GBR 957 Hugh Styles, Great Britain, Adam Piggott 54

6 NED 1 Mitch Booth, Netherlands, Pim Nieuwenhuis 57

7 NED 955 Gunnar Larsen, Netherlands, Stefan Dubbeldam 65

8 AUS 308 Andrew Landenberger, Australia, Felix Egner 69

9 AUS 959 Andrew Macpherson, Australia, Ferdinand Van West 71

10 FRA 56510 Vaireaux, France, Petit 86

11 NED 76 Reindert-Jan van der Meulen, Netherlands, Carina Knol 89

12 GER 164 Helge Sch, Germany, Christian Sach 108

13 FRA 5 Sellier Thomas, France, Moreau Frederic 111

14 NED 952 Willem Geijssen, Netherlands, Rico van Capelle 112

15 GER 163 Justus Wolf, Germany, Rea Nies 115

16 AUS 136 Greg Goodall, Australia, Brett Goodall 117

17 FRA 17 Motteau Romainm, France, Alexandre Guyader 122

18 NED 930 Sascha Larsen, Netherlands, Christa van Helden 123

19 SWE 4 Patrik Forsgren, Sweden, Niklas Nordblom 142,4

20 SWE 11 Johan Gnosspelius, Sweden, Roger Boden 145