RS Venture Connect European Championship showcases growth at RS Games

Hosted within one of Europe’s largest sailing festivals, the championship showcased the RS Venture Connect fleet alongside thousands of sailors competing across multiple RS classes, placing Para Inclusive sailing firmly on one of the sport’s biggest stages. 

After strong winds delayed the opening day’s racing, the Race Committee adapted the schedule to make full use of the remaining conditions. Racing moved into the more sheltered waters of the Pötenitzer Wiek, allowing the fleet to complete four qualifying races before concluding with a two-race final series. 

Beyond the racing, the championship represented an important milestone in the continued development of the class. Growing participation from established teams was complemented by increasing interest from emerging sailing nations, with Jamaica now actively exploring an entry into the RS Venture Connect fleet ahead of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portugal. 

The event also provided World Sailing with an important opportunity to trial new operational and classification processes ahead of Portugal. International race officials, classifiers, measurers and volunteers worked closely throughout the week, testing procedures and capturing valuable learning that will help strengthen future championships. 

Travemünder Woche also demonstrated a genuine commitment to improving accessibility, with organisers already identifying a number of infrastructure enhancements following feedback from the event. The collaborative approach between the Organising Authority, RS Sailing, the International Class Association, World Sailing and volunteers created an environment where challenges were quickly addressed, and lessons were captured for the future. 

Tom Jatsch, World Sailing Measurer, said: “Every event teaches us something new, and the RS Games were no exception. What impressed me most was the willingness of everyone involved to learn and improve together. The organisers showed a real commitment to enhancing accessibility and event operations, and many of those lessons are already being incorporated into our planning for future championships. By working collaboratively and continuously improving, we’re building stronger, more inclusive events that will benefit sailors for years to come.”

With preparations for the World Sailing Inclusion Championships continuing at pace, the RS Games provided another important step in strengthening international competition, refining event delivery and supporting the long-term growth of Para Inclusive Sailing worldwide. 

The championship concluded with outstanding racing across both the Overall, Inclusive and Para categories. 

Overall European champions were Australia’s Genevieve Wickham and Grant Alderson, successfully defending their international form ahead of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Spain’s Pau Toni Homar and Ramón Gutiérrez secured the silver medal, with Portugal’s Pedro Câncio Reis and Teodoro Cândido taking bronze.  

In the Inclusive European Championship, Australia’s Genevieve Wickham and Grant Alderson claimed gold ahead of Germany’s Carsten Sibbert and Johannes Nee, with Great Britain’s Adam Billany and Shaun Billany completing the podium.  

The Para European Championship title went to Spain’s Pau Toni Homar and Ramón Gutiérrez, with Portugal’s Pedro Câncio Reis and Teodoro Cândido taking silver, and Germany’s Stephanie Brix and Dirk Thalheim securing bronze. 

As attention now turns towards the World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimão this October, the RS Games demonstrated not only the increasing strength of the RS Venture Connect fleet, but also the value of collaboration between sailors, organisers, volunteers, race officials and technical teams. The event provided an excellent platform to test new operational processes, strengthen accessibility and capture valuable lessons that will continue to shape the future of Para Inclusive Sailing. 

Images courtesy of Digital Sailing and RS Sailing.