Michael Zankel helming GER 1123 “Pow Wow” crewed by Pedro Andrade and Phillip Blinn were the most consistent sailors yesterday in the first three races of the 2014 Regates Royal here in sunny Cannes…
Philipp Faure, the President of the Race Committee, did an excellent job to complete three races for this fleet of 44 boat’s after the first day of racing was lost due to strong winds. By setting the course with two upwind and two down wind leg’s, Philipp was able to turn the races around quickly so that these competitive teams could enjoy catching up some of the missed races from Tuesday. Hopefully another three races can be sailed today, with two more on Friday, which will complete this eight race series….
Race one was won by GBR 761 “Jerboa” helmed by Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, crewed by Mark Hart and Phillip Catmur, who made the most of a pin end start and a favourable left-hand-shift halfway up the first beat to cross the fleet. Although FRA 412 and RUS 98 took the lead on the second up wind mark, Gavia won the race by “Gybe Setting” and gained the inside berth for the final “dog-leg” finish.
Race two was won by RUS 76 Dmitry Samohkin, crewed by Andrey Kirilyuk and Alexsey Bushuev.. Despite a very spirited effort by the new UAE 9 boat from Dubai, helmed by Henrik Witzman, RUS 76 got the inside berth for the final all important turn..
Race three was won by GBR 375 “Blue Haze” helmed by Ivan Bradbury and crewed by current European Champion Lars Hendriksen and Claus Olesen. An early gybe at the top mark in a dying wind gave Ivan and his team a comfortable lead at the bottom gate, which lead to an easy victory and an overall runners up spot to Pow Wow GER 1123, 1st with RUS 76 currently 3rd.
Lets keep our fingers crossed that we are blessed with the same beautiful weather as yesterday… Sunny, 8 to 10 knots of breeze from the west, a warm sea and many happy smiling faces…….
Higher, Faster, Longer……….. Stavros. (GBR 789)….