Frazer and Pete's Taser World and European's at Garda
Published 2:27pm on 2 Aug 2025
After some club racing last year, I was kindly invited by Peter Bell to come to this years' Tasar World and European Championships in Lake Garda. After persuading my parents to come for support and some training beforehand, we came into the first day of the Europeans with no wind! Not quite what was expected but definitely part of the fun.
With still no races completed on the second and last day of the Europeans, the fleet headed out slightly more hopeful. With a 20 knot northernly breeze in the morning, it was sadly a bit too much for us being one of the lightest boats but we still headed out for the final race of the day with a more gentle wind.
After a well-earned lay day, the competition morphed into the highly anticipated World Championships for the 50th anniversary of the Tasar. We sailed in the European prototype boat (104) which was the oldest boat at the regatta, but we certainly weren't uncompetitive. We had a much more typical Garda wind, heading out for the 3 races in the day. We managed to complete all 11 races in the worlds across a variety of conditions but expertly helmed by Pete (and heading towards the cliffs!) we managed to score our best results.
Sadly, on the last day of the championships torrential rain and thunderstorms set in putting an early close to the tournament. We were delighted to see fellow Brits Nick Craig and Toby Lewis come out on top, beating long-time stalwarts and four time winners Jonathan and Libby McKee of the USA. Not a bad feat for their first time in a Tasar regatta!
All-in-all it was an excellent first-time Worlds in any boat class. I thoroughly enjoyed the competition and will have fond memories of Lake Garda. Thank you Pete for a great experience I will not forget, and to my parents for letting me go also.
Photography: Ó Davide Turrini/Circolo Vela Arco and
Ó Elena Giolai/@garda_trentino_wind/Circolo Vela Arco
