After a tricky start to the Championships the sun made a welcome appearance by lunch time and the blue sky stayed all day much to the delight of the spectators on the beach!  The wind was a steady 15-17 knots and slowly decreased throughout the day to less than 5 knots by the end.  All fleets took advantage of the favourable sailing conditions to completed two or three races today, before the weather potentially turns as predicted by the forecast.

In the Senior Fleet, after a total of five races, Worlds Team member Martin Wrigley (CBYC) maintains his position at the top of the standings. “It was a really good day today, the wind was fairly consistent on our course although did drop towards the end, we sailed two races and with a first and third I am still leading,” commented Martin. Fellow Worlds Team member Max Clapp (RSYC) is certainly in battle with Martin as only two points separate them after day two.

Gill Race Team Member and Worlds Team member Milo Gill-Taylor (Spinnaker SC) stepped up his game to lead the Junior fleet after six races. Ireland’s Alix Buckley is close behind chased by European Team Member Benno Marstaller (Restronguet SC / Mylor SC) and Arthur Brown (Royal Burnham YC) with French Sailor Jessie Kampman standing in 5th.  The international sailors are certainly in amongst the competition with two USA boats also in the top ten. 

The Regatta Race fleet saw yesterday’s leader Hayden Sewell (Royal Victoria Yacht Club) dominating the fleet. “I’m really pleased with the results today, I scored three firsts and in the final race the wind had dropped and I came fourth. The wind was great until then but it was still choppy. It was hard upwind but you went flying downwind! I definitely prefer it when it’s windy!”

The Regatta Coach fleet managed three races today. Dai Thomas, regatta fleet Coach commented “It was breezy this morning but perfect conditions just before lunch and we managed 3 races. After a record lunch break (lasting only 20 minutes!), we launched all the regatta fleet. Unfortunately, during our first race of the afternoon the wind dropped and we only just managed to finish before the long tow back home. But a good day was had overall!”

In the Mini Racers Emsworth sailors still lead the fleet in 1st and 2nd Sophie Dennis and Sam Thomson with Kai Wolgram (Porth Dinorwic SC) hot on their heels.

Bill Farren –Price, Class association Sailing Secretary/Event Coordinator commented, “We have had a couple of days of close sailing for both main and regatta fleets but it looks like the weather will be against us for rest of the week. Sailors have been tested by all types of conditions already here in Pwllheli.”

Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow (Wednesday 15th August) at 11.00 am. The event will see a maximum of 12 races for the Senior and Junior fleets.

For full results visit http://www.optimistsailing.org.uk/. All results are provisional and subject to possible protest.

Pip Holloway

Volvo Sailing  Into the Blue

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 August 2012 )