Great Britain takes top ten at RS:X World Championship

RYA press release, 30 September 2006

The RS:X World Championship, which drew to a close today, 30 September, proved to be a tough event for Skandia Team GBR. While our British sailors may be coming home medal-free, they do so with their heads held high, following an event that saw them dig deep to execute some spectacular performances.

World number three, Nick Dempsey finished the event in fifth place over all dropping one place from fourth which he held for the majority of what was a consistent big-breeze regatta.

Skandia Team GBR's RS:X coach, Barrie Edgington explained that the event favoured the heavier sailors. "With strong winds on Lake Garda, the World Championship was a one dimensional event. The bigger, heavier sailors had an edge on board speed in what was a full planning, big-guy week.

"The event has proven that Nick is a solid all rounder who can step up and be competitive in any conditions and I don't think that this event has dented his reputation."

Bryony Shaw, Britain's top female RS:X sailor, from Weymouth started the event with a string of top ten results and what was a stepping block for the remainder of the regatta. Shaw fought back and worked hard to successfully pull herself up from the high teens by the final race. Shaw finished the regatta in 10th overall.

"We have had a tough week," Edgington revealed, "and the class is moving really quickly in terms of development. Every time this class races we are seeing different sailors excel as they come to terms with the new equipment.

"We came here to win so there's a bit of disappointment on that front, but we still saw some positive performances. This event has been a reminder that we can't sit still and we need to keep moving forward with our training."

Complete results can be found on the RS:X class website.