RUS 27 get their just rewards…. in Cascais.

Anatoly Loginov helming his new Petticrow RUS 27, crewed by Andrey Kirilyuk & Alex Shalagin threw everything into the melting pot yesterday in Cascais by winning the final two races of this superb 6 race Winter Series Regatta….  After the disappointment of a “Needless” protest in Lake Garda which robbed Anatoloy of a clear runners up place just two weeks ago, he showed the world here in Portugal why they have been so highly ranked over the past few seasons and won so many events on the International Circuit. His two “Bullets” yesterday in a light but consistant Westerly wind, meant RUS 27 won the event by a clear 8pts from a battling Vincie Hoesch GER 10. Vincie has recently purchased a 2004 Petticrow to use for this winter series and proved to everyone that “age” of boat does not matter, it’s the set up and the “nut” on the tiller…  That makes a boat go fast !!

In 3rd place overall and after starting so well with three race wins, GBR 758 Fever, sailed by Klaus Diederichs, held on to the final podium place by just one point after a disappointing final three races…… It just shows that in such a competitive fleet nothing can be taking for granted as one small mistake can cost so many places.. I made a poor leeward mark rounding in GBR 767 whilst doing well in the 5th race , to lose 5 places within as many seconds! It’s tough out there Campers but thats why we love our wonderful one design class. Finishing just ahead of us in 4th place overall was the President Jose’ Matoso POR 55 who also found it hard going in the latter races after starting with two 2nd places.

Not only did Cascais produce an excellent weekend of racing (6 in total), with wind, sun a warm and friendly clubhouse with fantastic after race refreshments etc… First class craning and boat management, along with more than adequate fresh water hose pipes to wash away that ever present salt which really “clogg’s” up cleats and ropes if not cleaned. But also there were many YOUNGER SAILORS taking part and all doing very well….  Two helms in particular Frederico Pinheiro de Melo and Diogo Barros sailed extremely well and finished in 6th and 8th overall respectively.Well done to you all and keep with the Dragons!

So finally Campers as we all fly home to our loved ones we can look forward to the next winter series event here in Cascais which starts on the 18th Nov, just 3 weekends away. Why not come and join the party down here in sunny Portugal ?  We have dragons to charter or bring your own boat down to this wonderful sailing venue. For more information contact BRUNO at the Clube Naval de Cascais or drop me an email : paynesailing [at] aol.com

Higher, Faster, Longer……    Stavros (GBR 767).