Scottish Grit Meets Global Competition: Youth Sailors Shine at 2025 RS Feva World Championships in France
In late July 2025, the picturesque town of Aix-les-Bains in eastern France welcomed the annual RS Feva World Championships, an international sailing event tailored specifically for youth double-handed dinghies.
This year’s regatta drew more than 330 promising young sailors from 16 nations, each bringing dreams, determination, and competitive spirit to the waters of Lac du Bourget. Among them, the Scottish team faced one of the most dramatic journeys to the start line—an unforgettable tale of perseverance that would define their entire championship experience.
For Scotland’s eight representatives, the road to Aix-les-Bains was anything but smooth. A pre-departure injury forced a last-minute crew reshuffle, and en route, a vehicle breakdown in rural France delayed the arrival of three boats.
Despite these setbacks, the young sailors managed to arrive just in time for the start of the event, their boats mostly intact and their enthusiasm undimmed. Rather than being discouraged, they embraced the chaos with grit and good humour—a testament to their resilience and team spirit.
The first test came even before the official races began. The final practice session was intended to be a gentle introduction to local conditions, but nature had other plans. What had been forecast as light breezes suddenly transformed into a violent squall, sweeping across the lake with little warning. Several boats capsized, and one mast was completely destroyed.
For many sailors, especially those more accustomed to calmer waters, this was a wake-up call. But for the Scottish sailors, used to the unpredictable gusts of home, it was simply another challenge to navigate.
Sunday morning marked the first official GB team training session. Twenty-four British sailors, including four from Scotland, gathered lakeside at 8:30 a.m. for briefings and tuning. The conditions were light and shifty—a sharp contrast to the powerful winds many had trained in back home. It was a day that required patience, focus, and quick adaptation.
That afternoon, the practice race was held under clear skies and intense heat. A sudden 180-degree wind shift mid-race caught many sailors off guard, highlighting the importance of staying mentally agile on an international racecourse.
That evening, the streets of Aix-les-Bains transformed into a lively, international parade as sailors marched behind their flags during the opening ceremony. Locals and visitors lined the cobbled streets, applauding as youth teams from all over the world celebrated together. It was a moment of cultural exchange and camaraderie—an experience that reminded everyone that sailing is as much about connection as competition.
With the qualifiers officially starting on Monday, sailors headed out under overcast skies and more consistent breeze. Although some races got underway, persistent wind shifts eventually led to the day’s racing being abandoned. The result: a sense of anticipation and hunger for more among the competitors.
Tuesday, in contrast, proved productive. With temperatures soaring and the race committee eager to make up for lost time, four full races were completed. By the end of the day, fleet standings were confirmed for the Final Series.
Scotland’s Finlay Davidson and Lily Hopkins earned a well-deserved spot in the Silver Fleet, while the other three Scottish crews were placed in Bronze. At the top of the leaderboard, New Zealand’s Zofia Wells and Charlotte Handley led the charge, with teams from Italy, Slovakia, and Austria following closely behind. Great Britain’s Thomas and Daniel Whitehead also impressed, securing a strong fifth overall.
The Final Series introduced a new set of challenges—namely, light and often non-existent winds. On Wednesday, fleets launched but were quickly recalled to shore under AP over H. Racing was suspended for the day, but the downtime sparked impromptu paddleboarding competitions and lakefront games, turning a frustrating wait into a relaxed and fun-filled day. Live music at sunset added to the festival-like atmosphere.
Thankfully, Thursday delivered more reliable conditions. Four races were completed across the fleets in sweltering heat, giving the event its critical competitive momentum. The Scottish sailors, now fully adjusted to the venue’s quirks and the local climate, made the most of the conditions, gaining confidence and racing intelligence with every start.
On Friday, however, the wind disappeared entirely. Despite one attempted start in the Gold Fleet, a major wind shift forced immediate abandonment. Sailors waited patiently under the blazing sun, but no further races could be held. With the time limit reached, the final results were confirmed based on the previous day’s standings.
The prize-giving ceremony unfolded in a celebratory mood. Austria’s David and Valentin Vogl were crowned the 2025 RS Feva World Champions, while New Zealand’s Zofia Wells and Charlotte Handley earned second overall and top female crew honours.
Thomas and Daniel Whitehead finished as the top British team, securing fifth place. Among the Scottish contingent, Davidson and Hopkins stood out as the top pair, finishing 75th in a highly competitive fleet of 168 boats—a commendable result given the adversity they had faced just to get to the start line.
Throughout the week, the RS Feva World Championships delivered more than just racing. It offered a vibrant mix of international friendship, personal growth, and shared experience. For the Scottish sailors, this event wasn’t just about results on a scoreboard—it was a journey marked by setbacks overcome, lessons learned, and a deeper love for the sport.
While the wind may have been unpredictable, one thing was constant: the unwavering determination and enthusiasm of the young athletes who came to compete, to connect, and to grow. And for Scotland’s next generation of sailors, this was only the beginning.