RS Feva: New Zealand Nationals and Coaching

RS Feva Nationals will be held at the Torbay Sailing Club March 29-31, 2019 © NZ Sailcraft

The 2019 RS Feva Nationals will be held at Torbay Sailing Club from Friday March 29 to March 31.

Eight races lasting 30 minutes each are scheduled, and there is a Practice Day on Friday March 29th, starting at 2pm with specialist guest coaches.

To enter see torbaysailing.club/rsfevanats

Equipment inspection and measurement will be held on the morning of March 30th from 8.00am to 9.00am. Registration is at that time, or can be undertaken on Friday March 29 from 5.00pm to 8.00pm

The RS Feva is being used more and more by clubs as a transition boat for children moving into the youth classes and its popularity is expected to see more than 30 boats line up for next weekend's national championships at Torbay.

The RS Feva is a popular class in Europe and has now established a foothold in New Zealand as a way to introduce youngsters to double-handed sailing.

It's more affordable than a 420 or 29er and many clubs are recognising its potential and purchasing the boats because they provide a good transition for children graduating out of single-handed dinghies.

"The Feva is being used more as a stepping-stone boat for youngsters going into the youth classes," Torbay Sailing Club vice commodore Gareth Moore said. "It's simple to use and is low maintenance but still offers the fun of a gennaker.

"Clubs are also using it for adult learn to sail classes, fun sailing and others have also worked it into their performance programmes."

New Zealand has enjoyed some success internationally in the class with Eli Liefting and Rose Dickson winning the world title and this year's fleet at the national championships is expected to be one of the most competitive yet. The Traveller Series has seen the fleet grow in size and quality.

Racing is over two days at the Torbay Sailing Club (March 30-31) but a free pre-regatta coaching clinic will be held on Friday at 2pm.

"It's an added bonus to the regatta and I don't know any other classes who plan it as part of their nationals," Moore said. "We find a few Opti or Starling kids jump in the Feva for the nationals as something fun to do so this is an opportunity to get them up to speed."

The event will also be run alongside the Weta festival, when more than 20 of the foiling dinghies will also race a combination of short-course and destination races.

Torbay have asked that anyone interested in competing in the RS Feva national championships register early to help them manage volunteers and other resources. To avoid the late penalty fee, register by 10pm on March 27.

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