Today’s single race takes the Championship up to seven races of the possible eight despite light winds all week.
On another day of glorious sunshine and high temperatures, the only element missing today at WPNSA was a steady wind. But after an initial fickle Easterly, the wind settled to SW, 5-6 kts, to allow racing to start in late afternoon. A single race was sailed round a windward leeward course in Portland Harbour, with competitors sailing three and a half rounds to complete the race before heading ashore.
Today’s single race takes the Championship up to seven races of the possible eight despite light winds all week.
There was all to play for this morning, as completion of a seventh race would create a second discard within the series, so sailors were aiming to improve their position today.
The winners of the two races yesterday battled out today’s race. Ian Cadwallader and Dave Sweet continued their momentum into today, leading at the windward mark. But on the first run, Steve Goacher/ Phil Evans, who won the other race yesterday, took the lead, which they held to the finish. In an event with many race winners, Goacher/ Evans became the only team to take a second win. Cadwallader took second place, while Adrian Tattersall/ Vincent Harris enjoyed their best result of the week in third place.
Championship contenders Richard Lovering and Mike Hart stayed in touch overall, with fourth and fifth places respectively in today’s race. Today’s winners Steve Goacher and Phil Evans move into the final day with an improved lead of 6.4 points, with Lovering and Hart in second and third places.
The UKGLOBAL Flying Fifteen National Championship concludes tomorrow, Friday 19th July, and brisker breezes are expected, allowing the Fifteens and their sailors to stretch their legs and finish the week on a high.
Results
Race 7
Steve Goacher/ Phil Evans, Royal Windermere YC
Ian Cadwallader/ Dave Sweet, Chew Valley Lake SC
Adrian Tattersall/ Vincent Harris, Parkstone YC
Richard Lovering/ Matt Alvarado, Hayling Island SC
Mike Hart/ Jeremy Davy, Hayling Island SC
Positions overall after seven races, after two discards
Goacher/ Evans, 10pts
Lovering/ Alavarado, 16.4pts
Hart/ Davy, 18pts
Bax/ Grant, 20pts
19/7/2013 09:45