The PRO wasted no time in releasing the sailors off the beach on race day three of the RS Feva World Championships.

The breeze was good, 12-15 knots from the east, as the sailors headed out into the Gulf of Mexico for another fantastic day of racing in this beautiful part of the US.

Unfortunately the breeze moderated to around six knots at the beginning of the first race of the day (race eight in the series). In the light conditions CZE6965 Jakub and Veronika, seemed to excel as they lead the fleet to the windward mark. Just behind them was GBR6974 Joe Slipper and Tea Sirolla, who also seemed to enjoy the lighter conditions as they appeared back in the top five for the first time since race day one.

RS Feva Worlds at Clearwater Florida – Day 3 © RS Feva Class Association

On the final run GBR7063 Ben and Abi, punched through the fleet making up an impressive 10 places on the final run, to finish second behind CZE6965. GBR6972 Joe and Tea, finished third recording their third top five finish of the championships. USA6851 Dieter and Conrad manage a fourth in the tricky light conditions.

As the final boats crossed the finish line the PRO was keen to turn them around quickly but the wind faded away leading to a frustrating one hour postponement. All support boats mingled within the fleet to ensure all sailors had access to water and sun cream. Eventually the wind shifted 45 degrees to the south and started to build again. The course was quickly relayed and the race team did a brilliant job of getting race nine underway.

Race nine was a GBR7064 Tom and Rupert, master class as they lead the race from start to finish. GBR7063 Ben and Abi gave them a scare with some great pace down the final run. The finish was so close that the pin end boat could not call it and the committee boat needed to replay the footage to confirm Tom and Rupert had just hung on for the win.

RS Feva Worlds at Clearwater Florida – Day 3 – photo © RS Feva Class Association

In race 10 it was time to shine for the all female team CZE6962 Anna and Nela, they lead for most of the race. GBR7063 Ben and Abi, again found pace on last run to grab the bullet, Anna and Nela finished third just behind USA6951, Dieter and Conrad. As the boats headed home after another amazing day of racing only four points separated the top three boats. It looks like this championship will stay alive until the final races. A protest against USA6951 would see them take a 30% penalty leaving them in third overall.

At this year’s World Championships the female sailors make up 46% of the fleet and the Ladies World Championship title is looking like a tough battle between NED7028 Femme Rijk and Silke Zuidema, CZE6962 Anna Justová and Nela Višcorová and CHN6970 Ooynag Huiyun and Ouyang Huixin. With only a few points between them this title will go down to the last day. GBR7030 Annie Hammett and Emma Wells should not be ruled out, they will be right in the mix when the second discard comes into play.

Once again Clearwater and the race committee delivered a fabulous day of racing. This championship is very much alive with a lot of sailor still in the hunt of titles!

by Lucy Jameson