The SL 16 Open World Championship ended today at the Carnac YC. The regatta, which started on Tuesday, took place under good auspices thanks to a more than favourable weather. The wind and the sun were here all week long and thus the race committee  has been able to launch fourteen races, making the 25 teams happy.

For the penultimate day of racing at the SL 16 Open World Championship organized by the Carnac YC, competitors have had once again perfect weather conditions. Start was given around 12.30 in a 8 to 10 knots wind and under a shiny sun for four races run in a steady rhythm.

The RS Feva and Tera just gone, the SL16 take possession of the Carnac YC for their World Championship which will take place from August 2^nd to 7th in the bay of Quiberon. The Carnac Yacht Club is waiting for about thirty teams and is getting down to the last preparations: organization of the dinghy park, registration and equipment for the races.

A change of conditions in Carnac for the final day – no, not rain – it remained hot and sunny. But the wind was taken on as early as possible and so hadn’t built up to full power, some 8-10kts for the penultimate race and maybe 10-12 for the final. Only 2 races were possible given the time constraints but they did end up deciding the division of the choccies.

Forecast 3-5 kts – reality full on seabreeze of 14kts at start of first race and building throughout afternoon to a solid 18-20kts. From the quietest day of the week to the most full on in one quick flash of sunshine. With one day to go this has just been the most perfect week ever. We’ll still be drooling this winter with the memories of it when we try to warm the cockles of our hearts when breaking the ice of our boats somewhere in the shires.

ockeying for the titles began in earnest today with the first 3 races in the final series for both Gold & Silver Fleets. After protests, that delayed the start of racing due to the importance of fleet division, the weather settled into some sort of routine. Starting with 12kts it built to some 16kts with the seabreeze doing its stuff.

Most results included a bigger score today but the first final series discard kicks in after tomorrows first race so there could be big movers at that point. Owen Bowerman & Charlie Darling were the only boat score single digit results in each race and are duly rewarded with the overnight lead. Jack Hawkins and Chris Thomas sit pretty in second having got the initial 16th out of the system with 2 bullets in the next two races.

The RS Tera Pro and Sport fleets hit the water promptly and on schedule at 13.30 as soon as the ‘D’-launch flag was hoisted. The sea breeze quickly built to a bit more than the forecast 9-12kts. It seemed to peak at something more akin to 16kt or so. The race officer had warned that one more race than scheduled might be attempted and so it was. Three races was a serious physical effort.

After two weeks of hustle and bustle for the Carnac Yacht Club and the B14 competitors for their European and World Championships, the Carnac YC, who  has nothing more to prove in terms of organization, welcomes the RS Feva and Tera World Championship. 185 boats, 300 young sailors coming from 9 different countries (Great-Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, France, Italy, Ireland et South Africa) are expected in the bay of Quiberon for a big sports gathering from July 26^th to 30^th.

The final day of the championships saw an early start with the first signal at 11.00 catching out some competitors still arriving at the start as the fleet started in 18 knts of breeze. Team Gill and Toxic (Dave Lorimer and Raf Heale) lead the fleet off the line from the pin end, Toxic was first around the top mark from Sunsail/Zhik (Scott Cunningham and Pup) North Sails/Gul (David Hayes and Rich Bell), Team Gill (Nick Craig and MJ) and Guy Bancroft/David Grace. Despite many place changes the positions were the same at the finish.

Day three of the Neil Pryde B14 World Championships was cancelled due to a forecast of strong winds from the French coastguard.

With an increasing weather forecast race 5 started on time. Weather conditions were variable as the new weather system approached.  With a dark cloud over the left hand side of the course the boats on this side of the line and course were found in the top 5 at the windward mark. Led by Guy Bancroft and David Grace followed by Team Gill, Nick Craig then Seavolution, Mark Barnes and Paul Smith from Tim Harrison and Jonny Ratcliffe