RUS 76 Dmitry Samokhin (2nd right), receives his winners prize, with Alexsey Bushuer (right) and tactician Andrey Kirilyuk (centre), of the 4th Winter Series in Cascais 2012.
Yes Campers, its back to back victories for Dmitry Samokhin after a great final day here in Cascais. With three races sailed today in the most perfect Dragon conditions, 12-16kts of shifting winds from the Estoril shore, RUS 76 nailed the series with two 2nds and a 7th. They were already only 4 pts behind overnight leader, Jens Christensen DEN 405, but Jens self destructed today with two OCS’s… in the first two races.. This opened the door for the rest of the fleet and POR 55 Jose Matoso’ was quick to put aside a disappointing Saturday’s race (15th) to finish with 10th, 6th & 3rd which gave him the runners up spot!
3rd overall was really up for grabs and our newly elected IDA Vice Chairman Vasiliy Senatorov RUS 34 sailed brilliantly today to record a 6th, 3rd and 2nd place which gave him the final podium place… Also having a fantastic day was Germany’s Hasso Plattner, GER 1112 who with two bullets and a 5th, easily won the day. Hasso’s secret was to take Theis Palm out of his coach boat and put him in the middle of the Dragon, which proved to be a winning formula…. If he had asked me at the beginning of the series, that’s where Theis should have been from race 1… But we all live and learn… Great sailing anyway !!
5th overall was GBR 720 the Bailey Team, this time it was Husband Graham at the helm, and they concluded a very good series with a 11th, 4th and 8th today. It was probably the best conditions of the 4 Winter series events so far and even the Dolphins came out to play, swimming so close to the boats at times it’s amazing they don’t touch the hulls.. Such is the skill and 6th sense of these magnificent creatures, a truly amazing sight…….
Next we are back to Cannes for the 1st Grade 1 event of 2012. The Allianz Grand Prix. A full complement of 60 boats are entered and I’m sure the newly refurbished Yacht Club de Cannes will host a fantastic regatta. I hope to be there, will you………. ???
Higher, Faster, Longer………… Stavros. (GBR 751).