Big entry expected for the RS Feva Worlds at Manly SC
by Sail-World/Yachting NZ 31 Jan 00:31 NZDT
31 January 2020
New Zealand crews in action on Day 1 of the 2019 RS Feva World Championships, Follonica Bay, Italy © Elena Giolai / Fraglia Vela Riva
A big fleet of RS Fevas is anticipated for the 2021 World Championship to be staged at Manly SC, 40 minutes north of Auckland. At the last World Championship in Italy, the fleet topped 200 boats for the first time, with 23 nations competing.
In New Zealand, the host country, the RS Feva has been growing in popularity among clubs right around the country, which is expected to be reflected in the number of entries for 2021 RS Feva world championships.
Racing in the 2021 RS Feva Worlds will get underway on December 29, 2020, and racing will conclude five days later on January 2, 2021. The opening racing in the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series gets underway in Auckland just four days later. International competitors and supporters will be able to see the opening racing in the AC75 foiling monohulls in what promises to be an unforgettable regatta and experience.
New Zealand is the defending champion in the RS Feva class.
Former Olympic 470 World champion Simon Cooke teamed up with Oskar Masfen, who was 11 at the time, to win last year's world championships in Italy.
It was the second time a crew from New Zealand crew had won the title, following on from the success of Eli Liefting and Rose Dickson in 2017.
With four Mixed-gender events being introduced for the 2024 Olympic Regatta and beyond, the RS Feva Worlds offer an excellent pathway event for a variety of crew weight combinations and genders.
Club vice commodore and chairman of the event committee Harold Bennett expects anything from 80-150 boats to compete at the world championships. Bennett has been Principal Race Officer for several America's Cups and always delivers an excellent and fun regatta.
"The club is delighted to be hosting the world championships because, along with the O'pen Skiff, the RS Feva is one of our core boats," Bennett said. "The international association have been gauging offshore interest and believe there will be a reasonable number who will make the journey down here."
There should also be a healthy New Zealand contingent. Many clubs are using the boat as an excellent way to introduce youngsters to double-handed sailing, including the use of a gennaker, and it's also a popular boat for adults to sail with youngsters.
For the Manly Worlds, Simon Cooke has switched crews and will sail with his son Ashton.
Cooke has also been helping the class grow and sees the boat as a perfect family boat. The class is seeing significant growth with the Open division allowing family's enjoying sailing together. The class is also going to announce a series of coaching clinics.
The 2021 world championships will be held over the New Year period at a time when students in New Zealand and overseas are typically on school holidays.
Manly hosted the 2019 O'pen Bic (now O'pen Skiff) world championships over the same period, and it is their experiences with that event that has club members more relaxed about hosting another major regatta.
"The two classes are not too dissimilar, and our experience from the last one will prove invaluable," Bennett said. "When we stepped up to do the Skiffs, most of our members were like deer in the headlights.
"Now we have done something like this we know we can do it. This time around the reaction was quite different, especially as we will have the same team as last time."
The notice of race will be available soon, and Bennett expected entries to open around May or June.
How to get a RS Feva for the Worlds
NZSailCraft (NZ Distributor of RS Sailing Dinghies) is running a special Feva Worlds promotion on new boats that are currently in stock.
Upgrade packs are also in stock which has been developed by World champion Simon Cooke.
The RS Feva Association will have several charter boats available for the world championships, and these are likely to go into the New Zealand market following the conclusion of the event.
Charter boats will be supplied for international sailors only, but NZ Sailcraft can arrange free demos for those wanting to try this great boat.
For all RS Feva demo, purchase or charter information, please email lauren@nzsailcraft.co.nz or ph 027 210 2383
Key Dates:
December 27 & 28, 2020 - Registration and Measurement
December 29, 2020 - January 2, 2021 - Racing (5 Days)
Further information will be contained in the Notice of Race