Our RS Feva Nationals saw ninety three boats racing in the main fleet with an additional training regatta fleet running alongside the championships, we nearly reached one hundred boats in total. Blessed with glorious Welsh sunshine and great conditions, after 4 days of racing in Pwllhelli it saw home region favourites Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield of Port Dinorwic SC take the 2023 UK RS Feva National Championship title.
Qualifying saw two days of sailing completing 6 races. The second day the sailors wore fancy dress costumes on the water and amazingly these stayed on all day. Day two was also the windiest day of the Championships, the determination of the sailors really shone through through just like the sun gleaming on the sails.
Laura Jubb & Elsie Upton-Brown – Fancy Dress Winners
Day 3 saw three races completed (R7,8 and 9) three bullets taken by Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield of Port Dinorwic Sailing Club. (R7) second place went to brothers Joe and Sam Armstrong Rowland of Hayling Island SC, and in third was Max Rawlinson and Edie Johnson of Roa Island Boat Club.
Race 8 – Ben and Tom from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club took their second win of the day, with Alec Stanley and Ethan Hill from Hayling Island Sailing Club in 2nd, in 3rd being consistent was Max and Edie for the second time of the day.
Race 9 – Making the third win of the day Ben and Tom took 1st place. Ed Stubbs and Bruno Greenfield from Lyme Regis Sailing Club claimed 2nd place and in 3rd was Ben Tylecote and Charmelia Caldecott from Rutland Sailing Club. Ben Greenhalgh & Tom Sinfield – National Champions
Our crew race at the end of the day 3, was optionally for the sailors, some headed home while some were eager to participate. Tom Sinfield and Ben Greenhalgh of Port Dinorwic SC winning 1st place, in 2nd place was Edie Johnson and Max Rawlinson of Roa Island Boat Club and 3rd went to Ethan Hill and Alec Stanley of Hayling Island SC.
The final day of the 2023 National Championships was upon us, we saw two races completed with sailors competing for the final championship positions!
Race 10 – The girls were on form, Ffion Bailey and Megan Gowers from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club took the 1st win of the day, in 2nd place was Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield also from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club. 3rd place was Theo Smith and Will Cowley from Draycote Water Sailing Club.
Race 11 – Was the last race of the day, Ben and Tom came back to claim their eighth bullet of the championships, with Max Rawlinson and Edie Johnson from Roa Island Boat Club coming in 2nd place and Ffion and Megan in 3rd place.
The Race team came in every day and said how polite and happy the sailors were on the race course. Sailors showed great enthusiasm and determination, these are amazing attributes to have and it makes everyone that is involved in the events proud to know you and to be part of the class. Congratulations goes to all the sailors for your achievements throughout the Nationals, you should be proud of yourselves!
Everyday once the main fleet launched we had a small training regatta fleet eager to get on the water. The sailors learnt a lot through the event and played various games of the water. On the final day these sailors ventured over to the main fleet and sailed a lap of the course. The regatta fleet sailors are excited about future Feva sailing and we can’t wait to see the fleet grow for next year.
Our thanks must go to our title sponsor Rooster who supplied multiple prizes, Allen Sailing and RS Sailing Store also supplying prizes for the event. Thank you all for your continued support.
A special thanks goes to Plas Heli for hosting the event, especially the to venue volunteers Stephen and Richard Tudor who were always busy pleasing the sailors and parents onsite. RYA Cymru also deserves a special thanks for their ongoing support throughout the event. Thanks also goes to the Race Officer Henry Wright and his team on the committee boat and the mark layers, Mike Butterfield our Jury, our event CSL Simon Greenhalgh and Steve Sinfield assisting co-worker. Our fantastic photography team Dave and Ali Wood, and to all the volunteers . There are so many names to mention it is hard to list you all, it truly is your support that makes these events run, the class really does appreciate you!
UK RS Feva 2023 National Championships
Feva Fun Award – Mia Hateley and Mona Nygard, the bunny girls for always smiling!
Fevaship Award – David Whelan and Ben Sinfield, both sailors stepped in to sail when crews were unwell.
Endeavour Award and The CKE Cup Jonathan Lewis Cup (Best improved from Qualifying to final results) – Daisy Fuller and Kate Charlesworth of Hayling Island SC.
Fancy Dress Runner Up – Banana in Pyjamas
Fancy Dress Winner – Bride and Groom
First School (Best 3 boats from a School) – Tonbridge School
First Sailing Club ( Best 3 boats from a Sailing Club) – Port Dinorwic SC
Jonathan Webster Pro/AM – Jacob Knock and Phoebe Greenhalgh of Port Dinorwic SC
Overall Silver
1st Silver – Ethan Rhodes and Josh Beadsworth of Warsash SC
2nd Silver – Annabel Caldecott and Gabe Beatty of Rutland SC
3rd Silver – Charlotte Cooper and Harriet Wood of Elton SC
Family Category
1st Family – Joe and Sam Armstrong Rowland of Hayling Island SC
2nd Family – Chris and Will Fuller of Hayling Island SC
3rd Family – Matthew and Peter Ridout of Ballyholme YC
Junior National Champion Category
Helm and Crew age 13 or under until 31st December 2023
1st Juniors – Alex Breese and Sienna Mordaunt of Royal Lymington YC
2nd Juniors – Isobel Sandow and Alex Welfare of West Kirby SC
3rd Juniors – Ruby Callaghan and Lauren Barber of Hayling Island Sailing Club
Boys
1st Boys – Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield of Port Dinorwic SC
2nd Boys – Ed Stubbs and Bruno Greenfield of Lyme Regis Sc
3rd Boys – Joe and Sam Armstrong Rowland of Hayling Island SC
Ladies
1st Girls – Ffion Bailey and Megan Gowers of Port Dinorwic SC
2nd Girls – Ella Jones and Kate Gamble of Hayling Island SC
3rd Girls – Fflur Pierce and Keira Luke of Port Dinorwic SC
Gold Overall
1st Overall – Ben Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield – Port Dinorwic SC
2nd Overall – Ffion Bailey and Megan Gowers – Port Dinorwic SC
3rd Overall – Ed Stubbs and Bruno Greenfield – Lyme Regis SC
4th Overall – Max Rawlinson and Edie Johnson – Roa Island Boat Club
5th Overall – Ben Tylecote and Charmelia Caldecott – Rutland SC
6th Overall – Joe and Sam Armstrong Rowland – Hayling Island SC
7th Overall – Alec Stanley and Ethan Hill – Hayling Island SC
8th Overall – Louis Hiscocks and Nicola Richards – WPNSA
9th Overall – Ella Jones and Kate Gamble – Hayling Island SC
10th Overall – Ben Welfare and Ada Daniels – Leigh and Lowton SC
Photos by Dave Wood