RS Feva Grand Prix at Hayling Island Sailing Club

Winners Elliott Wells & Jake Todd at the RS Feva Grand Prix © Digital Images

Hayling Island Sailing Club hosted the RS Feva Grand Prix on Sept 3rd/4th with 60 entries many of whom were competing in their first Feva event. The GP is the first qualifier for the 2012 Worlds & the first selector for the 2011/12 winter squad places.

Saturday was near perfect with a steady 12 – 15 knots & the sun even made an appearance later in the afternoon. Five boats mistakenly started prematurely thinking the line was between the leeward mark & the committee boat.

Race one was won by one of the few experienced teams remaining in the fleet. Anna Prescott & Jess Eales took 1st from Hannah & Graeme Bristow. The pair first sailed a Feva at the Worlds when dad helmed, they enjoyed it so much that Hannah has now taken the helm & plans to sail with her sister in the future. Another new pairing on ‘the scene’ but experienced HISC sailors are Jamie Smith & David Brand in 3rd.

The start for race two was tight with 3 boats caught over the line. All returned but it was Anna & Jess who turbo charged back through the fleet to post a 2nd just behind Jamie & David.

After a general recall the 3rd race started on a black flag. At the windward mark it was Jamie & David showing the way which they kept to the finish. Elliott & Jake were 2nd but it was Tom Darling & Will Dolin who turned on the pressure downwind to climb from 5th to 2nd leaving Elliott & Jake in 3rd.

So the overnight leaders were 12 year old Jamie crewed by 13 year old David pretty impressive for their first big Feva event.

Day two started well with cloudy skies & a punchy 15 knots. However by the time the sailors arrived at the start line the rain began to pour, the visibility decreased & the wind was gusting 21 knots. A few boats turned back to shore but the majority stuck it out & literally flew off the huge waves.

41 boats managed to finish although many took a tumble. Brother & sister team Will & Lucy Harris won the race with the Bristows in 2nd whilst Elliott & Jake held onto 3rd. Over night leaders Jamie & David finished with a bent mast after a capsize & had to head to shore.

The weather cleared & the wind dropped to 12 knots for race 5. Robert Masterman & Marcus Payne sailed a great race to take the win from Will & Lucy with Anna & Jess in 3rd.

This left the event wide open going into the last race. Two boats were OCS at the final start but at the top mark it was Chay & Stirling Taylor in front with Elliott & Jake in 2nd with Tom & Will in 3rd. A huge rip in the kite stopped Chay & Stirling from flying their kite so it was a battle between the two HISC boats. Elliott & Jake hoisted too early on the reach to the spacer mark & struggled to make it, this allowed Tom & Will to overtake them & post a win.

The overall win went to the 11 year old RS Tera World Champion Elliott Wells & 13 year old crew Jake Todd who sailed an incredibly consistent series to discard a 6th. Three teams of parent & child made in into the top 11. Six out of the top 10 were under 15’s so the coming season is set to be very exciting indeed.

Overall Results: