The Bear wins in Cascais…

Martin Payne GBR 767 “Bear” with Olivier and Dominic Bakker won the 2nd Winter Series in Cascais after racing was cancelled on the last day. Despite all 34 boats sailing 3 miles out for a final day of a predicted wind between 15-20kts, the PRO of the Club Naval de Cascais had no option but to postpone the 10am start, as winds began to increase to 25kts.. At first all the competing teams sailed patiently around the committee boat, hoping for a drop in the wind strength. Some boats even elected to seek shelter in the lee of giant tankers moored in the safe bay of Estoril. But alas, the wind increased to around 30kts as a northerly front moved in to the western coast of Iberia. So racing was cancelled for the day and the long sail in was very wet & cold…

The Dragons leaving their moorings on the final day in Cascais, not knowing what lay ahead..

In 2nd place overall and maintaining his excellent standard after finishing 3rd in the recent Gold Cup, was RUS 76 “Strange Little Girl helmed by Dmitry Samokin, crewed by Andrey Kirilyuk and Aleksey Bushuev. The final podium place was taken by MON 2 Jens Rathsack helming his “Jeanie” into 3rd place crewed by local expert Pedro Andrade and Stefan Waack…

             The committee boat was tough to find on the final day… 🙂

On equal points with Jens and Top Corinthian Team was GBR 720 “Aimie” helmed by Graham Bailey, crewed by his wife Julia, Richard Powell and Caterina Furlov who finished in 4th position. Then in 5th place overall was last series winner, POR 55 Drago helmed by the Club President Jose’ Matoso, crewed by Gustavo Lima and Frederico Melo. Who continue their excellent form after finishing 4th in the Gold Cup… 

Despite the strong wind conditions which allowed for just two races, the Club Naval de Cascais continued to host the many visiting teams with generous “Happy Hours” and superb “Apres Meals” which continue to attract more Dragon’s down to this Portuguese paradise.. At the prize giving Jose’ welcomed the newly arrived boats and singled out Olympian Ian Walker who had his first taste of racing the “Ultimate” One Design Keel Boat in the World…..With over 40 boats expected to race December (7th-9th) lets hope a normal 7 race series can round off this wonderful year and lead us into an amazing 2013….  With the Europeans in Cascais (April), the Gold Cup in Douarnenez (August) and the Worlds in Weymouth (September)..  How can any other class compete with us ??  In fact it would be pointless to even try !

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

p.s. Many thanks to Ricardo Pinto once again for the “Excellent” photo’s..  (to view these printed and many more spectacular pictures check out).. www.rspinto.com