RS Feva World Championship 2018 presented by PA Consulting and Allen Sailing - Day 4

RS Feva World Championship 2018 day 4 © RS Feva Class Association

RS Feva World Championship 2018 day 4 © RS Feva Class Association

The forecast for Saturday had barely changed all week and it was labelled Super Saturday in anticipation of breezy conditions. The forecast was right and Super Saturday delivered an epic day of championship racing. The PRO selected course area C, racing just off of the club on the intercoastal waterways. The sailors were made aware of all the shallow areas on the edges on the course area. The realise flag was raised and the sailors hit the water.

The course was quickly laid and Super Saturday was ready, 18-22 knots greeted the sailors as the fleet went into sequences for race 11. The fleet got away first time, GBR7038 Joshua & Freddie led to the windward mark, closely followed by GBR7063 Ben & Abbi, GBR7064 Tom & Rupert, NED7026 Robbert & Gijs and GBR6985 William and Becky. These five teams were in a league of their own in the breezy conditions and went on to make up the top 5 finishers in all 3 races of the day. At the second windward mark Tom & Rupert rounded in first but clipped the mark and had to do a penalty turn, allowing Ben & Abbi to hoist first and then lead the fleet to the finish. Followed by Tom & Rupert in 2nd, NED7026 Robbert & Gijs in 3rd and GBR7038 Joshua & Freddie in 4th. GBR7030 Annie & Emma, finished in 8th moving them into contention for the ladies title.

Race 12 saw GBR7038 lead the fleet to the windward mark but they struggled to hang on as GBR7063 Ben & Abi showed how good they are in these conditions. They went on to grab their 3rd bullet in a row and put themselves as clear favourites for the title. 2nd & 3rd required a photo finish as GBR7064 Rupert & Tom just crossed the line ahead of GBR6985 William & Becky.

Race 13 GBR7038 grabbed the hattrick of 'first to the windward mark' on race day 4, this time they lead the fleet all the way around the course until they were close to the finish. With both GBR7064 & GBR6985 right behind them, they had to choose which boat to cover. They choose GBR6985 William & Becky. GBR7064 split and sailed to the left-hand side of the course, they suddenly found themselves in more pressure allowing them scream to the finish on port ahead of the others and grab the win.

GBR7038 hung on to 2nd with GBR6985 just behind them. GBR7063 Ben & Abi finished in 5th on the water but this changed to 4th as Willian & Becky were OCS. Ben & Abi were superb today but have left the door open to Tom & Rupert for the overall title.

Teams of the day: GBR7038 Joshua & Freddie for winning all the first beats of the day, NED7026 Robbert & Gijs for 3 top 4 races and GBR7030 Annie & Emma who sailed themselves into 1st place for the ladies title. Clearwater served up a treat and Super Saturday will live in the memories of many young sailors for a long time to come. It's the last day tomorrow with 2 teams left in the hunt for the World Title.

Results after Day 4: