RS500 World Championships at Aquavitesse - Day 1
by RS Sailing 6 Aug 11:25 UTC
5-9 August 2024
RS500 World Championships day 1 © Yvonne Mostert
The RS500 World Championship is under way in The Netherlands, with a challenging first day of racing in tricky, shifty wind conditions.
The 2024 championship has 58 boats on the start line and includes four former World Champions in the RS500 Class and plenty of ex-Olympic, ex-World and European Champions. All are bringing their A-game, with this week setting up to be the highest level of competition this Corinthian sailing class has ever seen.
Racing is taking place in Bruinisse, Netherlands, run by RS Sailing NL's Aquavitesse, with key sponsors Rooster and Provincie Zeeland supporting the event. The RS Feva World Championships were held in the same location last week, with the host nation delivering a great sailing event for the 12-18 year old sailors. Many of the RS Feva kids have taken the opportunity to stay-on and race in the RS500 Worlds too; the perfect transition class for the next step in their sailing journey.
They join a diverse group of sailors, not only in age range but also from 18 nations overall, to battle it out for qualifications in the Gold and Silver fleets. At the end of Day 1 the leader board is topped with the sailors from all over the continent, including some young guns.
In first position we see brother and sister duo Jakub and Tereza Dobry of TJ Lokomotiva Plzenknown, Czech Republic. Known for excellent results in the RS Feva Class, they lead with a 1.0, 1.0 score, showcasing their progression through the RS Sailing ranks to RS500 Class domination too. The Czech sibling powerhouse are certainly one to watch and have been on the podium at many European and World Championships.
Great Britain's Tim and Heather Wilkins of Gurnard Sailing Club are also contending for top position. Longstanding members of the fleet, they're back sailing in Bruinisse having sailed in the inaugural RS500 World Championships at the very same venue back in 2010. Also with top marks, they're showing that experience clearly pays off.
In third position, ex-Olympic 49-er sailor, Pim van Vugt of Vugt Sail is representing the Netherlands along with his sister Lisa van Vugt.
Yesterday's opening ceremony in the Sailor's Inn of the old town in Bruinisse was a great start to a week of socials and gatherings. The RS500 class is well known for its socials, so it is no surprise that there is an evening program jam-packed with BBQs, drinks and parties. Local delicacies are celebrated too (check-out the 'Zeeuwse Bolus', a traditional sweet pastry from the province of Zeeland, being handed out after racing) and the class can't wait for the infamous Dutch party on Thursday night...
It promises to be an exciting week of sailing (and socials!) ahead. Follow all the action on the RS500 Worlds official website and see the full results after Day 1 racing here.
Thanks to all our sponsors; Provincie Zeeland, Rooster, Kuiper Verzekeringen, Gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland, Carbonmasts.com, Aquavitesse, Jachthaven Bruinisse and RS Sailing.