In at times more than demanding conditions, three Guernsey Yacht Club boats competed in the 8th National RS Feva Championships at Hayling Island over the last May Bank Holiday Weekend. In the 120 strong fleet, coach Clare Chapple sailed with Hannah Rickards, Graham and Jonathan Beck formed a father and son team and Matthew Beck teamed up with Laser 4.7 sailor Nick Parkes.

Day one saw regular gusts of 32 knots and rising, with rain and very low visibility contributing to racing being abandoned.

The second day started with challenging conditions with winds of 17-21 knots. Of the four races planned, three were completed. Not surprisingly, the Guernsey boats coped well in the strong winds with Graham and Jonathan taking a notable 7th in the first race after an excellent port end flyer start. Clare and Hannah achieved their best of the day with a 13th and Nick and Matthew improved over the three races to place 17th in the third race.

Race 4 was abandoned due to worsening conditions. Four broken masts and several ‘blown’ spinnakers became casualties of the day but left no sailor disheartened. Hannah Rickards commented: “The sail back to shore under spinnaker, over the sandbar in massive waves that you could fly down was really exciting.”

For the final day of racing, all three Guernsey boats were placed in the gold fleet after the gold/silver ‘cut’. This day saw lighter conditions with the wind unfortunately dying and eventually many boats had to be towed in from three miles offshore.

Final results saw the GYC Fevas placed 40th (Graham and Jonathan), 44th (Clare and Hannah) and 57th (Nick and Matthew). The championship title went to Rob Baddeley and James Taylor, followed by Jack Hawkins and Chris Thomas in second with siblings Jack and Milli Parkin completing the podium. Guernsey Yacht Club overseas sailor, George Thompson, crewed for home Hayling sailor Harry Bowerman in the winning Silver Fleet dinghy.

Matthew commented on the event: “The fleet size of 120 boats gave us great large fleet competition experience and it was good to meet old friends from previous RS Feva and Optimist events.”

Hannah and Matthew both agreed that the experience has put them in good stead for the forthcoming RS Feva Worlds in Carnac, France at the end of July. At the Worlds, four Guernsey Fevas will be on the start line in a highly competitive fleet. Currently, 130 boats from eight nations are registered in what is likely to be a 150 boat plus fleet. No doubt, the Guernsey sailors are looking to make their mark.

Photos (from the top): Leeward mark rounding in just short of 20 knots, Clare and Hannah (3098) in second place; launching off the beach, beautiful but demanding conditions.