Ireland's Graeme Grant has taken third in the Standart sandyacht class at the land sailing world championships in Northern Germany.

Grant representing Ireland in his first Landsailing World Championships claimed a very tight third place with 13 points separated on count back from an ever-present French challenge. First was Kevin Mingot (France) on 5 points. Second was Dominic Pageot (France) on 6 points.

Five classes took part in the 2018 World Championships, the “worlds” take place every four years the previous event in 2014 was held in Nevada and the 2022 event will be hosted by Argentina.

The Irish success this year was at St. Peter Ording, northern Germany. 

Graeme Grant in his green Class Standart sand yacht IR 361 leads the fleet for Team Ireland during a race in the World Landsailing Championships

The very low scoring regatta was due to the extremely challenging weather conditions presented to the event organizers. The Standart class managed only 4 races from a potential 18, competition being possible on only 2 of the scheduled 6 days.

Day 1 west south west 16-18 knots onshore winds would be consistent over the day but the soft inner beach surface left for some slower than expected speeds with no one pushing through 90kph. The ever helpful French man Ben Martin helped with setup for the Irish team giving great advice on setup for the challenging conditions.

Race 1: Ireland’s Graeme Grant with a start number of 10 on the grid front row. A strong push saw the sparkling green Standart yacht out in front but working to weather cost Graeme several places and finishing the first race in a very respectable 11th. Alan Watson with a starting position of 4 on the 36 grid had a superb start to the regatta for Team Ireland finishing in 6th. The strong start from the three member Irish team buoyed them for success

Race 2: With grid position 3 giving Graeme a good opportunity to continue the Irish charge.

Another strong start from Grant saw him in second place for much of the race, a small mistake in the second from last lap cost 2 spots but Graeme finished the day with a 4th and 3rd overall. Irish Team members Colman Billings and Alan Watson both having some great racing further back in the fleet. Extremely stormy conditions lead to the unfortunate loss of the next 3 days from the racing schedule.

After three days stood down races 3 and 4 were held on the long sweeping outer sandbanks of Sankt Peter Ording in difficult conditions. Changing sand conditions and shifting winds proving extremely challenging for both organisers and competitors. Grant shone in these difficult sailing conditions and in a hard-fought fourth race sailed through the fleet to gain a clear lead and a win leaving him in overall 3rd position going into the final day.

The final scheduled day for racing brought sunshine and warmth and light airs as other classes finished their championships in tacking races.

With the top four pilots in the Standart fleet close on points, the race starts were anxiously awaited, however, as the fleet waited on the grid for their start the wind disappeared and never returned before the scheduled Championships finish time.

The Class Standart, World Landsailing Championships Podium (left to right) 2nd Dominique Pageot (France), 1st Kevin Mingot in centre and Graeme Grant 3rd for Ireland

The fifth day's standings became the final results and Graeme Grant was confirmed as the bronze medalist at the World Landsailing Championships for Ireland in class Standart.

The Federation Internationale de Sand et Land Yachting (FISLY) that is lead by Irish President Alan Watson has been granted Observer status by the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF).

Founded in 1962, FISLY becomes the 10^th International Federation (IF) to join the Observer programme, which supports the development and provides an opportunity for federations to take advantage of GAISF’s vast network.

Observer status has been designed as a first step in a clear pathway towards full GAISF membership.

At the announcement in Lausanne, Switzerland are from left to right are: François Garnavault (France) FISLY member, Davide Delfini (GAISF Membership Application Manager), Alan Watson (Ireland) FISLY President, Antonio Espinos (GAISF Membership Commission) and on the right, Philippe Gueisbuhler (GAISF Head of Administration)

Observers benefit from guidance on fulfilling all the criteria required for full membership, such as becoming WADA compliant and receiving recognition from its National Olympic Committee or national sports authority, and each Observer can take part in the annual IF Forum and General Assembly, though it has no right to vote.

Following the announcement, Watson said: “We are delighted that the GAISF have accepted FISLY as an Observer. We are honoured that work carried out over the past decades by previous and current FISLY members is being recognised for its contribution to the sport of land sailing through the acceptance by GAISF.

“The importance for FISLY of obtaining GAISF recognition cannot be understated in our quest for further sustainable growth, it has long been a FISLY objective.”

GAISF Membership Commission Chair Antonio Espinos added: “The mission of Observer status is to help IFs such as FISLY by providing practical advice and support as it seeks to grow globally. We have already seen the willingness and commitment from FISLY and look forward to helping the federation achieve its goals.”

At the 2018 GAISF General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) became the first IF to progress from Observer to Full Member, highlighting that Observer status provides an invaluable platform from which federations can grow.

The European Landsailing Championships is one of FISLY’s most prominent annual events, and in 2017 Ireland and England jointly hosted the 52nd edition. The seventh World Championships will be held in October 2018, on the magnificent beaches of St Peter Ording and Borkum in Germany, where competitors from amongst the 25 current FISLY members will participate in seven different classes of land sailing craft.