Dart 18 Worlds at Workum, Holland - Overall
by Michael Dekker 16 Aug 2008 21:14 BST
10-15 August 2008
French win Dart 18 Worlds title
After a sunny day without wind, on Friday the French Emmanuel Dodé and Billy Besson became the new Dart 18 World Champions.
Lack of wind
The race committee sent everybody out on the water but in the end there wasn’t enough wind to sail a valid race. Therefore at 3 p.m. on the water the organization declared the two ecstatic Frenchmen the winners.
Stormy start
The contrast with the start of the World Championships could not be bigger. With wind gusts as high as 28 knots the first two days were tough. Many didn´t finish in one or more races. The French however immediately showed they were in their element with a lot of wind by putting down a series of 1-1-2-8-1 on Monday and Tuesday. After two days they were just one point ahead of the World Champions of 2007, Daniel Norman and Melanie Rogers.
Super Thursday
After the races were abandoned due to a storm on Wednesday, Thursday was another fantastic sailing day. In advance Thursday was already named "Super Thursday" by Harry van Veen – Chairman Dart Worlds Foundation – because of the extensive social programme for the sailors. And what a day it was! In perfect sailing conditions – sunny and wind force 4 to 5 - three races were finished. Through a series of 1-2-2 Emmanuel Dodé and Billy Besson strengthened their leading position.
The top 3
Because sailing wasn’t possible on Friday the first place was no longer in danger and so the French are the new Dart 18 World Champions. The next two places were occupied by two British teams: Daniel Norman / Melanie Rogers won silver and David Lloyd / Cathrin Farthing got the bronze.
Overall Results:
1. Emmanuel Dodé/ Billy Besson – 10 points
2. Daniel Norman/ Melanie Rogers – 17 points
3. David Lloyd/ Cathrin Farthing – 26 points
4. Hervé Lemaux/ Joanna Jones Pierce – 27 points
5. Paul Wakelin/ Ellie Draper – 28 points
Full results can be found at www.dartworlds.com