29er World Championships 2021
In August, six R Lym YC sailors travelled to Valencia, Spain for the 29er World Championships. It was great to be going back to the Real Club Nautico de Valencia and renewing friendships with some the Spanish sailors that we had met through Optimist sailing, and who had stayed with us in Lymington on many occasions.
The lead-up to the event had been very difficult for all the parents due to both the uncertainty and complications of International travel for us and the boats, so we were very lucky to get there. Upon arrival, we had 4 days of training with Lymington head 29er coach, Hattie Rogers, working together with the RYA Youth Squad coach and the 29er class coach. This proved to be massively beneficial as we all came out of the blocks quickly when racing began. We also had the opportunity to get used to the Valencian heat - it was scorching!
The opening ceremony was brilliant with all of the sailors in their country’s colours and lots of flag waving. 193 boats from all over the world had made the journey and everyone was so happy to be competing Internationally again! The ceremony was held around the huge pool at the Real Club Nautico de Valencia, so naturally, as the event was declared open, all the sailors jumped in!
There followed 6 days of racing with 3 days (9 races) for the qualifying series at the end of which the boats were ranked into 6 fleets for the final series (8 races). One of the most impressive aspects of the racing was just the scale of the event. There were three massive race courses with 2 flights on each. At the end of each day of the qualifying series, the flights were reassigned according to the results. We had to be careful to check we were sailing in the right fleet on the right course each day!
The conditions for this racing were mainly light and choppy making it very difficult to keep the boat moving through the water (but also very hot!!). All three Lymington teams scored some impressive race results in the qualifying series, including a number of top 3 results. At the end of the 9 races, 3 GBR teams, including Ben Mueller and Sam Webb from R Lym YC qualified for the Gold fleet, the top 40 of a very competitive 193 boats. With 3 race wins and 6 top 3 results, Ben and Sam qualified in 5th position overall.
Moving into the final series, the British teams continued to post some great results in what was, for most of them, their first International competition in the 29er. Final finishing positions for the Lymington teams were
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Ben Mueller and Sam Webb 12th and 1st GBR
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Santi Sesto-Cosby and George May 90th
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Ella Lightbody and Felicity Brellisford 123rd
A great tradition in the 29er class is that if you finish in the top 25 at the worlds, then you are allowed to change your sail number to your position for the next year. Ben and Sam will now be using GBR 12 for the next season!
It was an amazing event for everyone involved. A big thanks to all of the parents, organisers and volunteers, particularly the Lymington class captain Phil Lightbody, who organised the coaching support for the British teams.