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The most romantic story in sailing?

by Martin Wadhams, RS Sailing 27 Jul 2012 10:43 BST 23 July 2012
Michiel Geerling proposes to Hilde van Susante on day 1 of the RS500 Worlds at Lake Garda © Elena Giolai

Take a moment to picture this:

Race 1 of the RS500 World Championship (at Riva del Garda this week) - International Class Chairman Michiel Geerling from the Netherlands rounds the windward mark and his beautiful girlfriend Hilde van Susante hoists the gennaker - sewn into the sail are the words WIL JE MET MIJ TROUWEN? (translation - Will you marry me?).

The rest is most beautifully told by the photos.

Many lovely things have happened at RS events and perhaps this tops the list. You will not find two more fantastic people and we wish them every happiness and fair winds together forever.

The story has made the national news in Italy where the event is taking place - brilliant idea, Michiel and congratulations to you, the sailmaker and the others involved in keeping the secret.

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