International Dart Association

The final day of the Dart 18 Catamaran World Championships at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy provided some exciting racing for the spectators afloat as it was all to play for in the final race of the Championships.

The current World Champions, Emmanuel Dode and Fred Moreau and the young hot shots of Tom Phipps and Richard Glover from Cornwall, sailing in their first Dart 18 World Championships went in to the final race on equal points. Phipps and Glover were unrelenting in their quest for victory and put in a blistering performance in their new South African boat.

They maintained their composure in the last race, having gained a significant lead over the two earlier race winners of Dan Norman and Mel Rogers, until they crossed the finish line. The duo knew they had the championships in the bag and after they had crossed the line - Phipps did a backwards flip off the boat into the water. With the disappointment of missing out on their Olympic Games ticket which they had trained so hard for, when the Tornado Class Catamaran was axed from the Games, this victory made them all the more worthy winners.

It was a tough day for former World Champions, Dan Norman and Mel Rogers who dominated the day’s racing with wins in the first two races. This helped to pull them up the rankings to 3rd overall but their form came too late in the regatta to give them another World Championship title.

The Student title went to Tom Phipps and Richard Clover (GBR) and the Senior title to Thierry and Christine Wibaux (GBR). The best lady helm went to Nicolette van Gorp (NED).

Top 5 Results:

 1. Tom Phipps - Richard Clover (GBR, 16 pts)
2. Emmanuel Dode - Fred Moreau (FRA, 20 pts)
3. Dan Norman - Mel Rogers (GBR, 32 pts)
4. David Lloyd - Joanna Jones-Pierce (GBR, 38 pts)
5. Hervé le Maux - Amy Johnson (FRA/GBR, 68 pts)