Our Grand Prix 3, Winter Championships unfolded in the illustrious embrace of the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy over the past weekend. With the 29er class gracing the waters for the Ovington Championships, it proved to be a splendid opportunity for Feva sailors to glimpse the horizons of their future adventures as they navigate the seas of life. The waters of Weymouth Bay eagerly awaited a fleet of 38 Fevas, setting the scene for a day filled with intense competition and camaraderie.
Race 1: Cassius Day and Harry O’Callaghan captured the day’s inaugural triumph, trailed closely by Tom and Daniel in a commendable second place, while Zoe and Mark proudly claimed the third spot.
Race 2: Tom and Daniel rallied with fervour, securing their first bullet of the weekend. Zoe and Mark crossed the line in second, with Cassius and Harry finishing in third.
Race 3: Zoe and Mark found their groove and secured a first-place victory. Cassius and Harry came in a strong second, while Tom and Daniel took home third place.
Race 4 received a Glamour start with boat 7615 Amelia Davies and Daisy Charlesworth owning a port flyer. As the race continued sailors worked hard to gain on them and we saw Zoe and Mark coming in first, two firsts in a row! Followed by Cassius and Harry, and Tom and Daniel.
The top three boats consistently secured their positions in every race, leaving Zoe Lomas-Clarke and Marks Soars from Frensham Pond Sailing Club leading the fleet as night descended. Close behind were Cassius Day and Harry O’Callaghan in a valiant second, with the Filey Brothers, Tom and Daniel Whitehead, steadfast in third.
As the sun set, sailors prepared to refuel and recharge for the challenges that awaited them.
Day Two – Sunday As the day began, leaders donned their podium position Rooster bibs and bright smiles, bringing energy to the lively boat park.. The racing kicked off with Race 5, and the first triumph of the day belonged to Cassius Day and Harry O’Callaghan. Despite the discards coming into play, the determined duo of Zoe Lomas-Clarke and Mark Soars held steadfast in their first-place position.
In Race 6, the competition intensified, welcoming new challengers as brothers Adam and Daniel Larsen from Radley College claimed their first race victory, while Zoe and Mark secured a commendable second, and Tom and Daniel Whitehead followed closely in third.
Race 7 saw Zoe and Mark resolutely asserting their dominance, achieving their third bullet of the weekend. Tom and Daniel ascended to the leaderboard with their second-place finish, while Megan Gowers and Harry Bennell from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club celebrated their best result yet, grasping third.
Race 8 – The grand finale of the day commenced before the clock struck 12:30, with deft race management paving the way for a potential early prize-giving, all before the day’s light faded! With Tom & Daniel leading the race but unfortunately they were over the line at the start. Adam & Daniel claimed their second bullet of the day with Cassius & Harry taking another second and Zoe and Mark in third place.
Prize giving -The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as the prize-giving ceremony commenced. Sailors, families, and supporters gathered around, eager to celebrate the achievements of the weekend.
Zoe Lomas-Clarke and Mark Soars from Frensham Pond Sailing Club were named the overall champions, their beaming smiles showcasing the effort and commitment they invested in their sailing journey. The duo humbly accepted their trophies, expressing gratitude for the intense competition, excellent race management they encountered during the event, and the unwavering support from their parents.
Second and third positions were so close the sailors need up with the same scores and it came down thaw many wins they had claimed throughout the event. Cassius Day and Harry O’ Callaghan of Gurnard Sailing Club , with two firsts, three seconds, a third and sixth place. Meanwhile, Tom and Daniel Whitehead secured a well-deserved third place, their efforts not going unnoticed by the crowd.
We were delighted to welcome three schools competing this weekend, featuring a total of eleven teams—five from the esteemed Sevenoaks School and five from the illustrious Claires Court School and one team from Radley College. Brothers Adam and Daniel Larsen achieved an impressive fourth place overall, securing the title of the first school boat.
Overall fifth place went to Mia Hateley and Mona Nygard of Draycote Water Sailing club with consistent top 8 placings.
Megan Gowers and Harry Bennell from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club secured sixth place overall.
The Rooster Sportsmanship Prize was presented to Matthew Boatman and Archie Denley in recognition of their positive attitude during a boat failure that required them to return to shore. They promptly fixed the boat and returned to the fleet for racing.
The Class would like to extend a big thank you to Jonathan Milton, our esteemed Race Officer, as well as the diligent management and devoted volunteers at WPNSA for graciously hosting this Championships. Not forgetting our class volunteers on and off the water, coaches, parents and friends ; these gatherings would be but a dream without your contributions. Lastly, we offer a resounding thank you to our generous sponsors: Rooster for providing prizes for the series, Wuka for championing female sailors, and Coastwatersports and RS Sailing for their invaluable support.
As the evening drew to a close, the sailors mingled, sharing stories of the weekend’s races and forging new friendships. The event was not only a celebration of competitive spirit but also a reminder of the community and support that surrounds the sport of sailing.
Written by Chrissie Le Petit
Photo Credits Oli King Photography