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SPARKLING START TO UKGLOBAL FLYING FIFTEEN NATIONALS

 

Racing got off to a great start today at the UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen Nationals. Two races were held in sparkling conditions as Weymouth baked in 25 degree temperatures.

 

Both races were held within Portland Harbour, just beside hosts Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). Breezes were light, with 6 knots on the first race, while the second started in 8 kts. Both races were held on windward leeward courses.

The 40 competing boats included visitors from France and Australia, and the Australian pair swiftly adapted to sailing in the UK, taking a bullet in the second race. In the first race there were many place changes at the front of the fleet, as first one then the other side of the beat was favoured. The lead was closely, and very audibly(!) contested all the way to the last turning mark leading to the short reach to the finish line. Charles Apthorp and Jonathan Clark took the win, with reigning National Champions Simon Kneller/ Dave Lucas in second, and Alan Bax/ James Grant third.

 

However in the second race, the ups and downs of the first race were not to be repeated. Instead the well travelled visitors Ashley Smith and Kym Thumpkin, from Sandgate SC near Melbourne, Australia, took a comfortable early lead, which they maintained to the finish. Their boat looked well powered up in the 6-8 kts breeze, with Kym alone of the crews able to fully hike upwind, helping create their lead. Second were Mike Hart/ Jeremy Davy, with current leaders of the UKGLOBAL World rankings, Richard Lovering/ Matt Alvarado taking third place.

 

After a very close day’s racing, Mike Hart and Jeremy Davy lead overall. Three teams are just a single point behind in what promises to be a very closely contested Championship.

 

Results, Race 1

  1. Charles Apthorp/ Jonathan Clark, Hayling Island

  2. Simon Kneller/ Dave Lucas, Grafham Water

  3. Alan Bax/ James Grant, Hayling Island

Race 2

  1. Ashley Smith/ Kym Thumpkin, Sandgate SC, AUS

  2. Mike Hart/ Jeremy Davy, Hayling Island

  3. Richard Lovering/ Matt Alvaredo, Hayling Island

 

16/7/2013 09:53

 

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