DBSC at the ILCA 2024 Masters World Championship in Adelaide

February 14, 2024Steven London

The Adelaide Worlds were spectacular.

Some of us did some training in the week leading up to the event under the guidance of Mark Bethwaite. As well as preparing us, we got to meet some great people from Italy, the US and UK.

After keeping an eye on the open worlds, we were expecting windy and challenging conditions. It took one look at the forecast at the start of the week to confirm we were in for a windy regatta.

The first day was around 10 knots and shifty but a great start to the event. There was no better sound than hearing the 5 min signal and knowing it was game on.

From then on it was like Groundhog Day. Beautiful clear water, sunny skies, waves and wind ranging from 20-29 knots at times.

It was quite brutal, but we loved it. You only had to listen to the chatter in the change rooms after each day’s sailing.

Personally, I have never been so fast in a laser, screaming down the faces of waves heading back the beach on completion of the days sailing. It was exhilarating.

The DBSC crew caught up most nights. Special thanks to Roberto Blum and his wife Laura who hosted some of us for a BBQ on the lay day.

On the final day of sailing, I was so impressed that among the elderly at the event, there were a couple of 86-year-olds battling around the track each day. Astonishing.

These events tend to attract the cream of the crop and there were plenty of previous world champions and ex Olympians on show.

Colin Beashel dusted off the sailing gear and was prominent in the Radial fleet and, on presentation night, he sat next to Martin and shared a few stories.

If you haven’t been to a world’s, get into it. It’s about meeting likeminded people and sharing a great experience. For most it’s not all about winning but about challenging yourself.

The worlds are on in Italy in September next year, then rumour has it, maybe the Greek Islands in 2026 and Martinique in the Caribbean in 2027. Can’t wait.

by Rod Barnes

Results were as follows:

ILCA 6

Apprentice Roberto Blum 6th

Masters Andrew Cox 10th

Grand Masters Jacqueline Winship 45th

Great Grand Masters Jeff Loosemore 4th
Martin White 7th
Pat Levy 15th
Ian Tudball 23rd
David Airey 30th

Legends Peter Heywood 7th

ILCA 7

Apprentice John Sweeney 7th
Max Djura 12th

Masters Rod Barnes 6th

Grand Masters Johan Hedberg 16th