Six Northern Ireland youth sailors competed at the recent RS Feva World Championships held in Bruinisse in the Netherlands from 26 July to 1 August.
Emily and Annabel Ridout (Ballyholme Yacht Club, 25th overall), Matthew and Peter Ridout (Ballyholme YC, 45th) and Jakub Ozarek and Abbie Stocking (East Down Yacht Club, 89th) took part in the competition which welcomed 173 participants from around the world.
The competition was stiff, but the Northern Irish sailors performed well producing strong results including a 3rd place in race 5 for Annabel and Emily Ridout.
Speaking after the final day, Emily and Annabel said: “Scoring a third in a Gold Fleet race was probably our most memorable moment of the regatta.”
Double-handed sailing like with the RS Feva is a high priority with the new RYA Northern Ireland Strategy.
“Over 50 per cent of the Olympic classes are double-handed and it is critical that our aspiring sailors see this as a viable performance pathway option,” says RYANI performance manager Andrew Baker.
