Sekonda RS Feva UK National Championships overall

by Debbie Darling on 29 May 2014 After a difficult second day in Portland Harbour, the wind also struggled to materialise for the final day of the Sekonda RS Feva UK National Championships. With only four knots, the Silver fleet glided slowly across the start line but once Gold had started the wind swung and the wind dropped to two knots so both races were abandoned.

Eventually Gold were restarted whilst Silver were made to wait. Arran Holman and Angus Kenp lead from start to finish with Piers amd Freddie hot on their heels but unable to overtake them. The wind shifted left again so the Race Officer raced up the course to finish Gold fleet at the second windward mark.

The course was relaid yet again and racing resumed with Silver away first as the breeze started to build. Drew Wright and Matt Beck took line honours in Silver whilst in Gold the Lithuanian team of Simonas Jarsovas and Gabriele Petraityte sailed an impressive first beat to lead at the first mark. Harry Barker and Josh Beck overtook downwind to then win from Harvey and Bobby with JJ and Ben in third. The wind built for the penultimate race when Harvey and Bobby showed their class to win again which was enough to take the title with a race to spare. With rain clouds gathering the wind swung but a final race was sailed in 12 knots Piers and Freddie took the gun whilst a second for JJ and Ben gave them second overall although tied on points with Will and Matt Taylor.

2014 was a varied and exciting championship with everything from glorious wind to flat calm, sun to torrential rain. The WPNSA Race Team organized a superb event whilst the RS Feva volunteers on the safety team and beach were vital to the success of the event. Penny Carter the UK Feva Class Judge was kept busy on and off the water and her protest team of Feva sailors learnt a huge amount with her guidance.

Well done to all the competitors but particularly the following prize winners:

1st National Champion Trophy– Harvey Martin and Bobby Hewitt
2nd – James Hammett and Ben Todd
3rd – Will Taylor and Matt Taylor
4th – Willemijn Offerman and Manus Offerman
5th – Piers Nicholls and Freddie Peters
6th – Steve Tylecote and Ben Tylecote

1st All Girls Trophy– Hannah Bristow and Madeline Bristow
1st All Boys Trophy – Harvey Martin and Bobby Hewitt
1st Youth U16 Trophy – Harvey Martin and Bobby Hewitt
1st Junior U14 Trophy– Piers Nicholls and Freddie Peters
1st Club Trophy– Hayling Island Sailing Club
1st Region Anemoi Trophy– Oakham School/Rutland Regional Squad
1st 405 Bursary Prize U13 – Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall
1st Family Trophy– Will Taylor and Matt Taylor
1st Silver fleet Trophy– Ben Webb and Zoe James
1st International Typhoon Covers Prize – Willemijn Offerman and Manus Offerman

Merit Fernhurst Book Prize – India Edwards and Fred Gray