Results / World Championship Cercle Nautique de Loctudy - 05/08/2014

Photos: [email protected]

Days 1 & 2

This is a short report of the first days of the RS500 Worlds in Loctudy, France. Upon arrival at the shoreline of Loctudy it was clear why the Swedish teams were already here for one week. The weather was gorgeous and so is the beach from where the boats launch. The hosts from Cercle de Nautique Loctudy were welcoming new guests on Monday with a ride on a foiling catamaran. For others there was the chance to start training with their international competitors and the first practise race was sailed in perfect conditions.

After Int. Chairmen Michiel Geerling-van Susante's opening on tuesday morning, the sailors were all very excided to race. The first day of racing took place medium to light winds with a moderate ocean swell rolling in from the Southeast. Tim and Heather sailed their first bullet of the week in the first race. The second race was won by Mike and Meg after some stunning downwind sailing. Competition seems to get higher every year with some protest filled on the first day, but no serious problems or damages. Fun and fair sailing seems to be the continuing spirit in the RS500 class. The friendly people from Loctudy prepared a nice opening BBQ for us. Lots of stories were exchanged at the large dinner tables with French wine and cheese.

The second day proves to be difficult sailing with big competition in light winds and choppy waves. Two races were sailed and being new to parenthood and sleepless nights didn't seem to slow Tim and Heather down. Lots of typically French games were played in the evening before the traditionnal Dutch party took place. We saw old friends and new faces all enjoying the orange madness and red-white-blue drinks. Heather chipperfield was voted best red-white-blue outfit of all attendees, allthough she was wearing a bit of an English orientated dress (I.e. Union Jack)... Christopher Tuckert won best dutchie of the night, but that was mainly because he won the limbo dance competition. For the rest, let's just say some teams performed a little less than normal the next day... Thanks to all the sailors this RS500 Worlds is already a big success with more great racing days and socials to come!

Nick van Alphen

RS500 965

Day 3
Medium winds arrived late in the afternoon with crews finally able to stretch their legs on the trapezes.

In race 5 Mike Saul & Meg Fletcher’s GBR legendary downwind talent brought through for the win. The favoured right hand side of the beat gave 2nd and 3rd to Peter Barton & Heather Chipperfield GBR and Hannah & Graeme Bristow GBR respectively. The ever consistent Tim & Heather Wilkins GBR kept up to 4th.

Race 6 had a long port biased start line but with evidence of the right paying. Barton & Chipperfield on port skimmed across the bows of the fleet to win the race to the right and extended for their 1st win. Saul & Fletcher again pulled through for 2nd with team Wilkins keeping the points tight in 3rd.

The points at the front of the fleet had compressed a little, keeping the title chase wide open.

The party was a ‘500 Likes’ social media party, where the Dutch made a presentation on the 2015 Worlds.  Within an hour, there were almost 20 entries ….

Day 4
After a morning ashore admiring a moderate onshore breeze with some waves the fleet launched into a dying breeze. After a long wait the direction shifted with over 20knots coming in from the opposite direction. After some time for consideration a course was set close under the shoreline as the breeze began to drop and become unstable.

The heroes in the charge to mark 1 were Johan Van Veen & Floris Stapel NED who intelligently banked the port layline for a big lead with Team Bristow hot on their heels. Clever judgment of the offshore gusts and gybe angles was the ticket to downwind success. Team Bristow pulled away for a big win with Saul & Fletcher gaining on the left inside the reefs and out of the tide. This race was one for Team Sweden with Martin & Axel Johansson SWE sailing cleverly for 3rd and Malin Broberg & Johan Rook SWE pulling through the fleet for a 5th.

Team Wilkins made a comeback for a useful 4th to keep the series tied at the top with Saul & Fletcher, leaving it all to play for going into the final day!

CN Loctudy hosted an amazing Hog Roast in the massive marquee, which was very welcome after such a long day …

Day 5
An early launch into a light breeze and a possibility of 3 races produced high tensions for the final battles throughout the fleet, especially for the title and podium places.

As it happened there was only just enough wind for one light race which allowed the 2nd discard, much to many team’s relief. The race officer wasted no time in starting a sequence, all be it with a biased start line and windward leg. It took the whole 5 minute sequence to sail the length of the start line close hauled in the light breeze but those who made it to the port end were generously rewarded by tacking onto the long port tack. Young Italians Lucas Abergo & Andrea Dellepiane ITA showed lightening upwind speed to cruise into the distance for 1st with French Team Nico & Thomas Honor FRA 2nd. A solid 3rd was enough for Team Wilkins to take the title with Saul & Fletcher back in 12th. 4th went to Jane Olive and Chris Tuckett GBR jumping them up to 8th overall. 5th went to another French team of Olivier & Paco Thomas FRA, slipping in their best result.

Overall
Tim & Heather Wilkins regain the World Title that they have won twice before with consistency, speed and solid tactics making the difference. Mike Saul and Meg Fletcher pushed them hard but ultimately had to settle for 2nd. Peter Barton & Heather Chipperfield rounding out the podium in 3rd.narrowly edging out 2013 RS Feva World Champion 4th placed Hannah & Graeme Bristow. The biggest movers of the final day were the Italian race winners Lucas Abergo & Andrea Dellepiane who discarded a 25th for their 1st and jumped from 11th to 5th, only narrowly missing out on the podium.

Category Champions:
1st Parent/Child team; Hannah & Graeme Bristow GBR (4th)
1st Lady team; Martina Gommellini & Beatrice Xodo ITA (19th)
1st Youth team; Matteo Cara & Leonardo Pizzagalli ITA (14th)
Youngster award; Martin Riou FRA (10 years) crewing for local Vendee Globe hero, Vincent Riou.

With 5 countries well represented in the 51 boat World Championship and 4 counties in the top 7 places the RS500 continues to go from strength to strength internationally.

Massive thanks must go the helpful and smiling staff and volunteers of CN Loctudy, who worked hard to make the event a great success.   A wonderful venue – we will return!

Twitter:  Don’t forget to follow and post at #RS500Worlds

Photos are available from [email protected]
Tuesday : https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZS5q9e
Friday : https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZXjqfB
If you see anything you like, please contact Jakez direct.

Next years Worlds are in the Netherlands from 2-6 August with the promise of sensational Dutch hospitality. 22 boats are already entered and with the Dutch fleet growing rapidly with tremendous enthusiasm and team spirit this promises to be a fabulous event with every likelihood of the Orange team mounting a full assault on the top ten.      For more information and to enter -

http://www.rs500.org/championships/cindex.asp?eid=949

FINAL RESULTS BELOW