Please select your home edition
Edition
CBGTG_summer24_digital_728x90 TOP

RS500 World Championships at Aquavitesse - Day 4

by RS Sailing 10 Aug 03:19 NZST 5-9 August 2024

It was a long day on the water for competitors during Day 4 at the RS500 World Championship in Bruinisse, Netherlands. The 58-strong fleets departed from the beach at 10am and enjoyed three solid races in quick succession in the morning. There was then a big shift in the wind direction; which saw the fourth race in the Gold Fleet abandoned.

Hoping for the wind direction to change back again, the race committee asked the fleets to stay out on the water. Sailors relaxed in the sunshine (or shade thanks to their well-angled sails!) and enjoyed the views.

Watched over by the majestic towers of the Bruinisse wind turbines, the fleets were finally treated to one last race before they headed in for the day around 5.30pm.

Day 4 ends with GBR's Tim and Heather Wilkins of Gurnard Sailing Club maintaining their top spot from Day 2 and Day 3. NED's Pim and Lisa van Vugt, of Vugt Sail, follow closely behind in second but there's been a change in third position.

Defending champions CZE's Jakub and Tereza Dobry of TJ Lokomotiva Plzenknown have been overtaken by the GBR boys in bright yellow; Paul Cullen (Weir Wood Sailing Club) and Fresh Abendstern (RDNBYC), sponsored by FM Sailing.

Heather Wilkins, current leader of the Gold Fleet, has been part of the class since its inception and has four RS500 World Champion titles to her name.

By comparison, in the Silver Fleet, the newest members of the class are giving the veterans a run for their money. NED's Gijs Regoort & Bjorn Tollenaar (aged 14) of Watersportvereniging Wolphaartsdijk sailed in the RS Feva World Championships in the previous week at the same venue.

"They were so excited about the back-to-back events that they bought an RS500 boat the day after the RS Feva Worlds in order to join the RS500 Worlds," explains fellow competitor, and RS Sailing's Commercial Director, Michiel Geerling. "And, actually, they are doing really well! They are leading the Silver Fleet followed by a very experienced British team. It's great to see."

Day 4 concluded with the RS500 International Class Association's infamous Dutch Party. Teams donned their best orange accessories, ranging from bucket hats to sequin tops, and partied the night away in the old fishing pub, the Sailor's Inn.

Full results are available

The RS500 International Class would like to thank all their event sponsors; Provincie Zeeland, Rooster, Kuiper Verzekeringen, Gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland, Carbonmasts.com, Aquavitesse, Jachthaven Bruinisse and RS Sailing.

Related Articles

A Year of Celebration, Competition, and Community
RS Sailing reflects on an incredible year As we reflect on an incredible year, RS Sailing extends a heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated members of the racing community, from those organizing small local regattas to the passionate competitors and volunteers involved in events. Posted today at 4:00 pm
RS500 Rooster National Tour
45 races, 17 helms, 20 crews, 37 total sailors, 12 sailing clubs Seven sailing events, 45 races, 17 helms, 20 crews, 37 total sailors, 12 sailing clubs represented, 11 different helms, 12 different crews on the podiums, lots of prizes, endeavour prizes and mid-fleet heroes,...and one sensational Limbo competition. Posted on 18 Nov
RS500 Inlands at Grafham Water
Battles were had throughout the fleet at front, middle and back The RS500 fleet were welcomed to Grafham Sailing Club on Saturday 5th October with beautiful sunshine and a sheltered rigging area. Posted on 14 Oct
RS500 Worlds at Aquavitesse day 5
A big final day with gusts up to 28 knots With 20 knots of breeze, gusting up to 28 knots, the final day at the RS500 World Championship was a test of determination, skill and endurance for the 58 teams. Posted on 11 Aug
RS500 Worlds at Aquavitesse day 3
Wind fills in for the final day of the qualifying series The wind filled in for the final day of qualifiers at the RS500 World Championship in Bruinisse, Netherlands, with the 58-strong fleet enjoying three races on the water. Posted on 8 Aug
RS500 Worlds at Aquavitesse day 2
Day begins with millpond conditions Good things come to those who wait... Although Day 2 of the RS500 World Championship began with millpond conditions, after a hot morning waiting for the wind, the RS500 fleets finally set sail at 4pm with a decent afternoon sea breeze. Posted on 7 Aug
RS500 Worlds at Aquavitesse day 1
58 boats fleet competing in The Netherlands The RS500 World Championship is under way in The Netherlands, with a challenging first day of racing in tricky, shifty wind conditions. Posted on 6 Aug
Lymington Dinghy Regatta 2024
120 boats battle it out as the sun shines and the wind blows Once again the Lymington Dinghy Regatta hit its 120-boat entry limit before the weekend of racing. Locals and visiting sailors from as far away as Scotland enjoyed this fun event hosted jointly by the two Lymington clubs every year for the last decade. Posted on 5 Jun
Noble Marine RS500 Nationals
Wilkins duo lift the trophy at Hayling Island This year's major RS calendar event, celebrating 30 years of epic sailing and parties, gave the RS500s a chance to come together as friends and battle it out as competitors for the 2024 UK national title. Posted on 28 May
RS 30th Anniversary Regatta Day 1
What makes the RS Classes so special? The sailors! Three decades of fun later and RS Sailing's passion for our sport has been unwavering. But what makes the RS Classes so special? The sailors! Posted on 18 May
TNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-3 BOTTOMStaticLink Aquaflask 728x90px BOTTOMSOUTHERN-SPARS-OFFICIAL-SUPPLIER-52-SS728-X-90 Bottom