Thrilling Triumphs and Unforgettable Moments at the 024 Blind Match Racing World Championships

The picturesque Base Nautique de Sciez was abuzz with excitement as the 024 Blind Match Racing World Championships unfolded. With training sessions completed, anticipation reached a fever pitch as teams from around the world prepared to showcase their sailing prowess in this unique and inspiring competition. Let’s dive into the highlights, meet the extraordinary athletes, and relive the captivating races that defined this championship.

Meet the Inspirational Teams

The first team, GBR1, is led by Sharon Grennan, a helm who discovered her love for sailing as an adult. Her journey into sailing began later in life, but she quickly became captivated by the sport. Despite a hiatus due to COVID, Sharon returned with renewed enthusiasm, traveling across the UK with her guide dog to train. Her sailing career is decorated with gold, silver, and bronze medals in fleet racing, and she was part of the victorious team in the previous world blind match racing championships. Her excitement to helm GBR1 alongside her dedicated teammates, Lucy and Judith, was palpable.

Lucy Hodges, the tactician and main for GBR1, is a stalwart of the sailing community, having competed in numerous World Championships. Post-COVID, she played a pivotal role in reviving GBR Blind Sailing. Her commitment to the sport and the friendships forged through it exemplify her passion and dedication. Crew member Judith Spencer, a lifelong sports enthusiast, rekindled her love for sailing in 2019 despite her diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. Representing Great Britain at this championship is a dream come true for Judith, and she was determined to give her all in every race. Their coach, Ian Shirra, with over 30 years of coaching experience in Blind Sailing, has been instrumental in guiding his teams to success. His joy in watching the athletes sail independently and the bonds formed through teamwork highlight his deep connection to the sport.

GBR2, features helm Sally Rodrigues, a vital part of Blind Sailing for 17 years, amassing national gold and world silver medals. Her dedication to the sport even led her to change careers, allowing more time for sailing adventures. Sally's enthusiasm for the World Match Racing competition was infectious. Karl Haines, the tactician and main for GBR2, discovered sailing four years ago. Despite having retinitis pigmentosa, he quickly became an active member of his local sailing club. Representing GBR at the championships is a significant milestone in his sailing journey. Crew member Martin Phillips's introduction to sailing through a taster session at UKSA transformed his outlook on life. Despite losing his sight, sailing has taught him to live fully and adapt. His gold medal in fleet racing set high expectations for his first match racing championship. Their coach, Jonny Cormack, has been with Blind Sailing for many years, dedicating his time and knowledge to the team. He values the teamwork and personal growth that sailing fosters and eagerly anticipated the upcoming races.

Day-by-Day Racing as it unfolded.

Day 1 began with a morning briefing where the race team gathered for an enthusiastic welcome and briefing session before setting out to the race area. The wind was light and patchy, forcing the race committee to adjust the flight schedule. Despite the challenging wind conditions, GBR Rodrigues maintained composure and secured a win against France. The unpredictable winds tested the sailors, but GBR Grennan’s strategic positioning led to a victory over the USA. Australia found a breeze and clinched a win in the light wind conditions against Sweden. Unfortunately, the wind died down completely for Flight 4, and the race was postponed.

Day 2 saw a late start with the wind picking up around 11:30 AM, creating light and shifting conditions. GBR Rodrigues won against Australia after they touched the mark on entry. GBR Grennan’s pre-start tactics secured a win against France 1. An intense race between the GBR teams saw Grennan emerge victorious due to superior mark rounding.

Day 3 brought steady winds just before 10 AM, setting the stage for precise sailing. GBR Rodrigues corrected downwind and secured a win against Italy. Grennan defeated Italy with a clean start and strategic sailing and outmaneuvered France 2 with aggressive pre-start tactics. Despite initial issues with radios, GBR Rodrigues ultimately won after Sweden’s withdrawal in the final race of the day.

Day 4 was filled with determination and final showdowns. With 10 races to complete the round robin, the race officers capitalized on the light but steady wind. GBR Rodrigues showcased tactical sailing to win against the USA, despite a penalty. Grennan sailed cleanly in light breeze, securing another win against Australia. Grennan patiently navigated light wind conditions to win against Sweden. The final match of the round robin saw close pre-start maneuvers between GBR Rodrigues and France 1, with GBR Rodrigues ultimately winning.

Final Standings and Celebrations

As the races concluded, the final standings were tallied. GBR1 emerged on top with 7 points, followed closely by GBR2 with 6 points. France 1 secured 5 points, and France 2 ended with 4 points.

Crowning the Champions

The World Champions were crowned amidst cheers and celebrations. Sharon Grennan, Lucy Hodges, Judith Spencer, and coach Ian Shirra of GBR1 took the top honors. The second place was claimed by Sally Rodrigues, Karl Haines, Martin Phillips, and coach Jonny Cormack of GBR2. The competition was fierce, the sportsmanship impeccable, and the spirit of camaraderie truly inspiring.

Acknowledgments

A heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors, supporters, coaches, and volunteers who made this championship a resounding success. Special thanks to British Gas, Rooster RYA Sailability, ARB Tree & Garden Solutions, and Fastener Connections for their generous support.