The 2003 F18 Worlds recently finished in beachside town of Koksijde in southern Belgium. Basking in the European summer the event attracted 120 teams from around the world to participate. Three times F18 World Champ Mitch Booth was there to defend against stiff competition from other top sailors like Darren Bundock and A Class World Champ, Glen Ashy, Gavin Colby as well as three times runners up the Boulogne brothers. It was set to be a tough event.

The F18 basically works according to a box rule. Max length, max beam, max sail area and minimum weight. Hull and foil shape is open. This has resulted in varying designs and has kept the class active, growing and competitive. The Hobie Tiger, Cirrus and Nacra all have competitive boats as have some smaller manufacturers like Diam and Alado.

The regatta format called for a qualification series – sailing in groups to establish a gold and silver fleet. Positions from the qualification series were carried through to the finals as a non-discardable result. Tricky conditions in the English Channel with strong currents and sandbanks were the order of the day in the generally light thermal breezes.

Duncan Ross and Pierre Jean Valer (whose father designed the Hobie Tiger) sailing a DIAM – RSA 1 sailed an impressive qualification series scoring a 1st, 2nd and 3rd to go into the gold fleet lying third behind the Bologne brothers in first and Darren Bundock in second. Mitch Booth qualified in 4th.

The gold Fleet racing was tough and Darren Bundock on a Hobie Tiger dominated initially with 2 firsts until a Black Flag set him on edge and a subsequent 23rd did not help either. The Boulogne brothers ever consistent showing excellent speed in their self built ‘Cirrus’ came through in the second half of the regatta to win easily, discarding a 7th and winning by 12 points.

The organization provided excellent shore side activities with free beer everyday and very capably fed 250 people every night in a huge marquee. Well done to the ‘ Spaghetti ’ Brothers and to the host club Koksijde.

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