RS Championships at Travemunder Woche + Video

by Heather Chipperfield on 28 Jul 2016 Fabulous sunshine met the 230 RS sailors and their friends and families at Travemunder Woche. Several of the UK travellers had truly horrendous travelling tales, such as 18 hours to go five miles approaching Dover port.

Our RS100 sailor from Australia had actually had a shorter travelling time than some! Hats off to the guys who showed real character and perseverence through such horrible journeys. Once here, everyone relaxed into the 30 degree sunshine and the amazing festival that is Travemunder Woche.

At the International party on Monday evening, National costumes, drinks and food were swapped and a representative for all 16 nationals gave a short speech. My favourite was the bath-time tale from Sweden, the singing from the French, and Junior representing GBR and RS Sailing explained that as the event 'get you back on the water' guy - 'If you Brexit, I fexit!'

Day one was abandoned due to no wind. Perhaps some of the exhausted travellers were pleased about this, giving them time to fully recover their equilibrium in the hot sunshine.

Day two, and on course Foxtrott (RS200s, 400s and 500s), the racing started with true German efficiency bang on time. With around seven knots and a lumpy sea, shift spotting and boat speed were all-important, leading to some snakes and ladders racing on the RS400 course. After 35 minutes of sailing, the wind packed up and the last few RS400s limped through the finish line. The RS200s and RS500s, having started the usual five and 10 minutes later, however, had their races abandoned.

The RS200s were 'whisked' across to the media course where, after a wait, they had two races in light wind. On Foxtrott, there was a long wait for a promised sea-breeze. During the wait, the RS500s disappeared to sail two races on the media course in the promised sea-breeze.

Alone now on Foxtrott, the R400's long wait was rewarded by a light sea breeze exactly when forecast. Without the larger RS500 fleet to cater for, a shorter start line was set and, after two general recalls, the black flag was out. Clean away thereafter, the 400s got a further two good races in F2 wind, returning to shore an exhausting eight hours after having left it.

Day three, and the start was brought forward to an unsociable but sensible 1000hrs to make the most of the forecast wind. Again, a timely start in F2, which after 15 minutes into the RS400's race pipped up considerably, surprising some of us! A further two races in similar on and off and shifting wind kept everyone on their toes.

Steve Restall and Chris Stubbs continued to dominate the RS400s after six races, with a steady 2,3,2 on day three, and three new race winners - Stewart and Sarah Robertson, Jon and Nicky Heissig and David and Rebecca Brown - changed the order considerably.

In the RS500s, Swedish Martin and Axel Johanssen put in a steady 2,2,4 keeping them at the top of the results after their two day two bullets. Italian Federico Maccari (out of the coach boat and into the dinghy) and Stefano Costini had a great day three with two first places.

In the RS200s, the domination of Josh Metcalf and Mille Alcock continued with a further two bullets, giving a clear 10 point lead over Jack Holden and Amy Yeoman.

Several sailors from all fleets gathered in the evening sunshine to watch the RS Aero River Racing in front of tall ship 'Passat'. A great spectacle, where the rules book appeared to have been thrown firmly out of the boats!