Slow Start and Fast Finish on Day Three at Access Worlds

Slow Start and Fast Finish on Day Three at Access Worlds news article

Slow Start and Fast Finish on Day Three at Access Worlds

Limited breeze delayed racing on Rutland Water today, the third racing day at the Bruce Wake 2010 Access Class Worlds and SKUD18 International Championships.

Chris Ruston (AUS) gets the best of the pin end starts in the last race of the Access 303s today (Photo: IACA)

Only one race was completed for the single-person Access 2.3, 303 & Liberty fleets this morning, and a shortened race at that. As competitors were towed ashore, Principal Race Officer Ralph Tingle (GBR) was contemplating how to get the single-person divisions back on schedule in the difficult conditions. With the prospect of more wind in the afternoon, it was decided to continue racing for the single-person boats later in the day and abandon the two-person heats. The SKUD 18 and two-person 303s had completed 4 races.

Angus MacGregor (AUS) posted two wins today to hold a 4 point lead in the Access 2.3 Open division (Photo: IACA)

By 4pm a steady 5-7 knots enabled Course Race Officer David Wilkins (GBR) to get racing underway and complete the day’s second heat. During the start sequence for the 2.3s third heat, the breeze piped in at 18-20 knots, providing some “real” wind for all the fleets and putting a broad smile on the face of the Liberty sailors.

Angus MacGregor (AUS) continued his dominance of the Access 2.3 class today finishing both today’s races almost out of sight of his nearest rivals. The racing in the next group is fierce though. Cedric Castaldi (FRA) battled closely with Bruno Pereira (POR) in the first race today. In the second heat, Pereira and Monique Foster (GBR) were within a boat length of each other from start to finish, with the Portugal sailor crossing the line just ahead. Castaldi, who is sailing with servo electric control, clearly struggled in the stronger conditions in race two placing 10th. After five races, MacGregor holds a 4 point lead from Pereira who is 5 points clear of Castaldi.

Zoltan Pegan (HUN) maintains his lead in the Access 303 division (Photo: IACA)

In the Access 303 single-person fleet Zoltan Pegan (HUN) has maintained his lead with 4-2-2 placings today but Gerard Eychenne (FRA) made some progress with two heat wins in the lighter conditions. Chris Ruston (AUS) confirmed his third place position on the table posting 3-7-3 finishes. Like the 2.3 division, the top three Access 303 sailors have some clear separation on the leader-board from their competitors.

Chris Cook (AUS) has taken over the lead of the Liberty class on day three (Photo: IACA)

Chris Cook (AUS) took hold of the Liberty competition today with three straight wins. With the weight equalization procedure implemented at Liberty World Championships, the lightweight Cook is “top weight” sailor carrying a massive 44kg or lead ballast under his seat. Magali Moraines (FRA) gave up the lead to Cook today and trails by 2 points. These two have a substantial break on their rivals with two days to go but there is a group of three fighting for the final podium place. Barry Coates (AUS), Clare Andrew (GBR) and David Durston (GBR) have a single point between each of them, so there will be some keen racing among these sailors.

Martin Waller (AUS) leads the Access 2.3 Servo division (Photo: IACA)

In the Servo divisions, Martin Waller (AUS) has a two point lead in the Access 2.3 and Melvin Kinnear (GBR) has a two point lead in the Liberty. Dutch Liberty Servo competitors Vera Voorbach and Wilma van den Broek have only a point separating them so the trophy is fgar from decided at this stage.

Racing continues tomorrow morning for the two-person Access 303 and SKUD 18, with the single-person classes racing in the afternoon. With a forecast for moderate breezes, it is hoped both fleets will each get three back to back races to bring them back on schedule.

Racing continues until Friday.

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