Friday 11th July 2008. The calm after the storm was never a more apt phrase for the Bay of Baiona in the final day of racing for the F18 Worlds.

It is never over until it’s ever - and it was certainly the boat case in Nigran for racing day 5. A constant track record, nerves of steel and calm sailing over the competition ensured young Dutch team Coen de Koning and Jeroen van Leeuwen swept the top spot by two points. Despite disappointing results in both races on the final day, a solid performance throughout the championship has crowned NED 3 as F18 World champions 2008.

As conditions remained light, at times near total calm in certain areas, the course was to prove a true puzzle of wit for all. French multi-hull expert, Franck Cammas and Jeremy Lagarrigue gave a steady, skilful performance and grabbed second on the podium – an impressive premiere for Cammas, new to the F18 competition.

The tough course was to prove an obstacle for British Olympian Hugh Styles and Adam Piggott whose two firsts the day before not quite enough for a podium but a solid 5th for GBR 957.

Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis definitively not as happy in the light breeze had a demanding day moving the F18 World Champion away from chances at the top and to 6th place on the leader board.

An impressive level gave competitors and spectators alike a wonderful week of racing with conditions to test the competence of the fleet to its full. Noteworthy performances from a number of teams including Gunnar Larsen and Stefan Dubbeldam on NED 955, Andrew Landenberger and Felix Egner (AUS 308), Andrew Macpherson and Ferdinand Van West (AUS 959) and Vaireux and Petit (FRA 56510).