RS Games 2018 at WPNSA: Some stats and quotes
by Heather Chipperfield 7 Sep 2018 07:05 BST
21-25 August 2018
RS500 Worlds during the RS Games at the WPNSA © Alex & David Irwin /
www.sportography.tv
August 2018 will go down in dinghy sailing history!
Some statistics
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy smashed it for the RS Anniversary Games, celebrating '25 years of awesome'. 20 consecutive days of racing in 15 fleet championships saw 890 boats – 1,300 competitors – representing 30 nations, battling it out for National, European and World Championship glory.
The event proved that WPNSA is not just able to deliver fantastic and varied racing in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, but also a great off-the-water vibe with fantastic socials. The RS Games competitors enjoyed great socials including parties with bands, DJs, inflatable games tournaments, trip to Portland Castle.
Peter Allam, Chief Executive of WPNSA, and Peter Saxton, event PRO, together with their teams, absolutely delivered and we sailors are extremely grateful to them, and to RS Sailing and our other event supporters – details here
Some quotes:
Peter Allam, Chief Executive of WPNSA: "The RS Games have been a huge task for the Academy, and I'm very proud to say our team of staff and volunteers have put every effort in, to deliver what has been an amazing event. It was a great pleasure hosting so many RS sailors over the three weeks of the Games and we are very grateful for the positive feedback we have received.''
Peter Saxton, PRO: "To make it happen the class associations, race management, safety teams and juries were well supported by RS and the event sponsors together with the team at WPNSA to make delivering the events a real pleasure. Just 250 volunteers filled the 2,000 'duty' days needed to deliver - an amazing effort by everyone involved."
Pete Vincent, Chair of the RS Class Association: "Only a combination of the RS Class Associations, RS sailing and the team at WPNSA would have dared tried to run such an event let alone pull it off in such style. Huge thanks to all of them, the hundreds of volunteers and to our valued sponsors – we couldn't have done it without you!"
Jon Partridge, MD, RS Sailing: "Seeing and being a part of an event such as the RS Games fills me with pride. The sport we love is so much more enjoyable when the events are run well. From the race management, to the shore support, to the after sailing drinks and parties – the RS Games was second to none. Speaking to the sailors each day you could tell it's not just about great racing, it's about the camaraderie, the international friendships, the family teams. This is what RS Sailors do so well – everyone can participate."
Martin Wadhams, Chairman and co-founder of RS Sailing: "When Nick Peters, our small team and I launched RS we really couldn't foresee this. But the camaraderie grew fast and the spirit of RS, created by the sailors and Class Associations, has made it possible. We're incredibly proud of the RS community and our boats so a massive thanks to everyone who made it possible and to the sailors for taking part!"
Some Links: