F18 World Championship 2022 at Clearwater Beach Florida
This year the worlds were held in Clearwater, Florida. The fleet counted 65 boats that were ready to race on the 12th of oktober. Unfortunately, we had a tough start with not enough wind on the first day. The committee was able to give a start but before the first mark, the wind died completely and the race was abandoned. The wind was a no-show again on Day 2 of the 2022 Immunolin F18 World Championship in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
The postponement presented competitors with the opportunity to take advantage of "America's Best Beaches" for volleyball, boat tuning, or just relaxing on a beach chair. Race officials encouraged competitors to be prepared for a potential four race-day on Friday because the forecast is promising with an NNE breeze that will slowly shift left as the land heats up.
As predicted the wind showed up on the 3th day. We had good conditions to start racing and the organization was able to squeeze 3 races in. The wind kept increasing during the day and it was clear that the top teams consisted of USA Ravi Parent, Argentina’s Crus Gonzalez Smith and Mariano Heuser, the Greek team Iordanis Paschaldis and Konstantinos Trigkonis, teh Australian team Gavin Colby and Kai Colman and the Spanish team Toni Rivas and Jordi Sanchez on the Goodall Design Akurra.
Day 4 started early with the first warning signal at 10AM ET. And it was a good call, we were able to sail 4 races in a variety of winds. The top five in the provisional standings are in a tight fight to win the title today, Sunday, October 16, the last day of racing.
Ravi Parent and Severin Gramm battled their way to win the 2022 F18 World Championship in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Parent and Gramm kept their focus after a rough start to their day when they crossed the finish line first but received a UFD for going over the line early at the start.
Australians Gavin Colby and Kai Colman took second, and Cruz Gonzalez Smith and Mariano Heuser finished third in a tie with the Spanish team Toni and Jordi on their Akurra.
We are super delighted with all the results and the top performances of all Goodall Design teams. With 4 Goodall Design teams in the top 10, all sailing with standard Goodall Design sails, we are very happy about these Worlds!
Pictures by: Anna Suslova