Dmitry Samokhin, RUS 76 takes the overall lead in the Dragon Worlds in La Rochelle..
It was a wonderful Day for Dmitry… After missing the last World Championship in Weymouth, 2 years ago. Dmitry Samokhin and his fantastic team of Andrey Kirilyuk and Aleksey Bushuev jumped into the overall lead today of the Dragon World Championship with 3rd and 2nd place in the two race day…..
Dmitry has been training hard to take this title and this year he has every chance… From his winter racing in Cascais to his seasonal sailing in Europe, all has been helpful in today’s excellent results, well done my friend.
Second overall after 3 races is SWE 358 owned and helmed by Hans Liljebad, crewed by Johan Hedberg & John Magnusson. This team won the first race of the day (race 2) by keeping further right on the final upwind to squeeze past DEN 138 Lars Hendriksen who finished 2nd and RUS 76 Dmitry Samokhin.
Third overall after some very consistent sailing is GER 1150 helmed by Dirk Pramann who added an 8th & 9th today to his 12th on day 1. This excellent sailing by Dirk and his crew Robert Stanjek and Stefan Hellriegel shows that keeping around the top 10 boats in all three races can win you championships! You don’t have to win all the races, just be consistent…
It was a day of mixed fortunes for many teams, as different sides of the course “paid” at different times… which makes for excellent racing as there is no set way to go. On day 1 most of the advantage was on the right, where as today most of the winning teams came from the left… Tide was a factor is one race but not in another, it was a day for a clear mind and not a direct plan…
In race 2 of the day UAE 8 helmed by Yevgen Braslavets took the gun, with Dmitry 2nd and HKG 55 Tam Nguyen 3rd. Whilst many of the top boats fought hard for a committee boat start, these 3 teams all made the left side of the course work and sailed away from the fleet, so well done to all.
The courses were once again perfectly set and organised by the International Race Officer Philippe Faure who is doing an excellent job. Philippe is well supported by helpers and volunteers of the SRR Yacht Club who are providing a wonderful World Championship for all 80 competitors.
Top Corinthian Team after 3 races is GBR 788 helmed by Robert Campbell, crewed by Karl Odent and Luke Malissa. Meanwhile the Masters event is being dominated by AUS 225 William Packer, crewed by Julian Harding and Denis Cullity. This team from the Royal Freshwater Bay YC are having a brilliant regatta and are currently 5th overall. Keep it going guy’s, could we see an Australian World Champion this time?
Higher, Faster, Longer………… Stavros. (GBR 585).