Allen RS Feva Worlds at Compagnia della Vela Grosseto - Overall

2013 RS Feva worlds day 5 © S&T Communications / J.R. Taylor

2013 RS Feva worlds day 5 © S&T Communications / J.R. Taylor

It was an all-British finale today at the Allen RS Feva World Championship 2013 with all three steps of the podium occupied by duos from across the English Channel. The new World Champions after 14 races are young Hanna Bristow and Bobby Hewitt (GBR 4610) of Leigh and Lowton YC who controlled their nearest rivals' every move in a 240 degree wind blowing at 10 knots. They took home a seventh and a 12th-place finish that saw them end the week with a total score of 34 points.

A good 21 points behind them in second place are their fellow countrymen Wells/Todd (GBR 4332), who take the silver medal on 55 points, just one ahead of Brown/Davies (GBR 4768), on the third step on 56 points. Unfortunately, the Italian former World Champions Stocchero/Virgenti did not make it to the podium and, as a result of a 16th and a 3rd place on this final day's racing, had to content themselves with the wooden medal on a score of 75 points. Brits Grade/Prescott also ended up 5th on 77 points ahead of the Italians Porro/Dall'Ora. The winners of the qualifiers, however, can rejoice in having taken the All Girls prize for female crews while the Family prize went to Will and Matt Taylor.

The standings for the other two fleets were also British-dominated with Vennis-Ozanne/Lewis topping the Silver standings ahead of Italians Tognoni/Quilici and Mulcahy/Lindsay-Brown dominating the Bronze.

Statements about the event:

Jop Dutilh, president of the RS Feva International Class: "We are very happy with the week. Everything was perfect -from the course to the organisation. All the guys were enthusiastic. It's just a pity that they have to leave this sailing paradise – they'll miss it! But now we're already thinking about the 2014 Worlds in France".

Paolo Testolin, president of the RS Feva Italia Class: "I'm proud of the results our athletes delivered. They held out very well against the many very strong British teams in contention. I'd like to say a particular word of thanks to our coach and all the trainers for the dedication and preparation they put in before the Worlds and the technical and psychological support they gave us throughout them. Their collaboration made a good number of our teams competitive. We took the All Girls World title thanks to Margherita Porro and Francesca Andrea Dall'Ora, a result that reflects the excellent trend of the season. Even though they finished fourth, Stocchero/Virgenti fought to the bitter end to get to the podium and we have two teams in the top six in the world now. The Junior title won by Codoghini/Zinetti was also very well deserved as it showed how they've really come on. Lastly, a big thank you to the International Class and the Compagnia della vela di Grosseto for their huge commitment in managing and organising this event".

Margherita Porro, helmswoman ITA 2592: "Now that it's all over I can say that it was a tough battle against the British. They are very well prepared and I'm very happy with the result. We started and finished on a good note. We had a bit of a dip in the middle and in the first race today, but then we came back. Of course, you learn a lot from days like that".

Marco Borioni, president Compagnia della vela Grosseto: "Another excellent day's sailing, a worthy conclusion to the two World Championships at the Compagnia della vela Grosseto which we feel have laid the foundations for the club's future. The guys out on the water were enthusiastic with excellent, fun boats which it's no surprise are very popular in English-speaking nations where they really know their sailing. A special word of thanks finally to our team sponsors: Futura, Vibralcementi and Colle Massari".

Gold fleet top 10 results:

See the full results and the event website