The countdown has begun for the 2024 RS21 World Championship in L’Escala, Spain
by Helena Geis 16 Sep 07:15 PDT
21-28 September 2024
RS21 World Championship © RS Sailing
The Club Nàutic L’Escala will host the 2024 RS21 World Championship from 21st to 28th September. The event was officially presented on Thursday, 12th September at 11am at the L’Escala Town Hall, marking the start of a countdown to a competition that will place the Costa Brava on the international regatta calendar.
Approximately 200 sailors from 14 different countries will enjoy eight thrilling days of competition and camaraderie.
The event was attended by Narcís Carreras, President of the Club, Núria Escarpenter, Sports Councilor of the Alt Empordà Regional Council, and Josep Bofill, Mayor of L’Escala.
Eco-friendly sailing boats
The Club’s Sports Director and Event Organizer, Xavi López, provided insights into the upcoming RS21 World Championship. The RS21 is a one-design keelboat from RS Sailing, recognized not only for its performance and enjoyable handling but also for its sustainability. Its structure comprises bio-derived resins and recycled materials, and it features an electric motor for maneuvering in tight spots and reaching the start lines.
The RS21, the ultimate racing keelboat, is designed for crews of four to five individuals. This year, 11 nations will participate, including entries from Spain, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, as well as from the United States, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. To support the competitors, the Club’s organizers have assembled a team of over 40 individuals.
Eight days of racing
The regatta will commence on the 21st and 22nd of September with training and measurements. There will be a central event hub and regatta village situated in front of the Club’s headquarters, with various moorings nearby.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for the 23rd at 6pm, marking the beginning of four days of official competition, during which three races will be conducted daily from 12pm to 5pm. Following the races, social events will occur in the evenings, ensuring fun off the water as well. On the final day, 28th September, a 6pm awards ceremony will conclude the 2024 RS21 World Championship.
Responsible event
The 2024 RS21 World Championship is eligible for the platinum seal of Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program, which has been advocating for the sustainability of water-based events since 2006. The Club has developed four pledges to minimize the regatta’s environmental impact: responsible waste management, careful water usage, preventing toxins from entering the sea, and organizing a coastal cleanup.
Socially, the regatta is integrated into the Community Service Project of IES El Pedró de l’Escala secondary school. Under this initiative, a group of students will volunteer to help organize the regatta, providing an opportunity for them to engage in active citizenship and apply their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community.
The RS21 2024 World Championship is organized by Club Nàutic L’Escala and the RS21 International Class, with support from the Catalan Sailing Federation and the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation.
The event receives institutional backing from the L’Escala Town Council, Girona Provincial Council, Costa Brava Tourist Board, and the General Secretariat of Sport of the Catalan Government. Additionally, it is supported by Hyundai Fornells Motor, RS Sailing, Camping La Ballena Alegre, the Consejo Superior de Deportes, Ports de la Generalitat, Nautivela, and RS Veleros.
The regatta is financed by the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, funded by European Union funds – Next Generation EU, as part of the collaboration agreement signed this summer between L’Escala Town Council and Club Nàutic L’Escala, aiming to promote sustainable activities at sea and non-motorized nautical events.
