Windy finish to 2.4 mR Worlds

Genoa, Italy (October 18, 2019) – Ninety-one entrants from 15 nations competed at the 30th 2.4 mR World Championship, with the 2019 edition held October 15 to 18.

The regatta ended today after a week of very rough weather. England’s Megan Pascoe dominated with a perfect week, second was Finland’s Marko Dahlberg and third Fia Fjelddahl from Sweden.

The world 2.4 mR championship ended after a very windy week and after six races staged by the Race Committee in often difficult conditions, with heavy seas and strong wind that forced many competitors to retire early.

“The Genoa racecourse proved perfect,” said Yacht Club Italiano President Nicolò Reggio, “thanks also to the unique logistics of the fair quarter that hosted the event and the by now habitual synergy between clubs, bodies, and institutions needed to host international events of this magnitude.”

The fourth and final day, decisive for the rankings, began under a rain-filled sky, waves of 2 m and a stiff south-easter of 15/18 kn with frequent gusts. Decidedly tough conditions for this boat – although it is unsinkable – that demands particular ability in strong wind. In any case, the team of support inflatables was constantly busy guaranteeing the safety of all competitors and did a magnificent job in the many recovery operations in these stormy days.

The Northern European crews were at their ease in these conditions and dominated the top of the rankings right from the first race. There was a consistent performance from the English Megan Pascoe, with a series of impeccable races (1,1,2,3,2,1,2) who became 2.4 world champion.

“It was an incredible week, we expected gentle conditions but the opposite happened,” said Megan Pascoe after returning to land after the final race. “This is my second world title and I’ve been sailing the 2.4 for 18 years, but winning in Genoa was special!”

The silver medal went to Finnish helmsman Marko Dahlberg, who also sailed an excellent championship (2,2,1,1,7,4,5). Bronze went to Fia Fjelddahl (9,5,9,5,3,10,4) of the Swedish team.

Antonio Squizzato (ITA) placed fourth, and after a poor start to the regatta, continued to improve and won today’s final race. “New sails and some problems with the rating penalized me on the first day of racing,” said Squizzato, “but from then on I got the feel of the boat and climbed up the rankings. Genoa surprised me again with these unexpected conditions, but then the unpredictability of the elements is one of the greatest things about the sport.”

Top sailor from North America was Tony Pocklington, who finished in 20th place overall.

As well as the world title and awards for the individual races, during the prize giving the following awards were presented:

Guldmann Cup, (Best Italian in 2.4 World Championship): Antonio Squizzato – ITA
Guldmann Cup, (Best in 3 races circuit Italian Championship): Giancarlo Mariani –ITA
Best Lady Competitor: Megan Pascoe – GBR
Best Disabled: Megan Pascoe – GBR
Best Master, (over 55): Julio Reguero – PUR
Best Grand Master, (over 65): Harald Rolfsnes – NOR
Best under 30: Fia Fjelddahl – SWE
The Youngest: Gianlorenzo Copertari – ITA

The 2.4 was created in Stockholm in 1983 by local designers who used the “R Metre” rule to create a thoroughbred boat with the complicated and sophisticated nature of keelboat but with the costs and the sensitivity of a simple dinghy.

It was a younger sister, in terms of size but not style of sailing, of the bigger international 6m, 8m and 12m. In 1992 the class obtained the status of an International Class and since then world Championships have been sailed every year with between 60 and 100 boats taking part.

Since the 2.4mR is suitable for disabled people, it was chosen as a single-handed class for the Paralympics in Sydney in 2000, used continuously through the Rio 2016 Games. The biggest fleets are in the Scandinavian countries, in Italy, England, Germany, Australia, and the USA.

Unique for the 2.4mR Class is how disabled sailors compete on equal terms with able-bodied people. Due to its design, people of all types and genders compete together.

Event details – Results – Facebook

Technical data of the 2.4 mR
LOA: 4.182 m
LWL: 2.978 m
Beam: 0.72 m
Displacement: 259 kg
Sail area: 7.39 m2

Source: 2.4 mR Class