Volvo Musto Optimist Nationals at Weymouth- Day 4
by Sophie Luther 1 Aug 2007 21:05 BST
28 July - 3 August 2007
Brits moving on up the results tables
The British sailor, Alex Mothersele (15) leads for a second day in the senior fleet, receiving a sixth and third position in the two races of the day at the Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships. In the junior fleet, poll positions changed between the three American teams in the lead, with Scott Wallis (11) from Hampshire winning a race, pushing him up to fifth today from sixth.
The top three positions in the senior fleet remained the same today, with Mothersele, Eric Plancon (14) from Spain and Alex Curtiss (15) from the USA racing well in light and shifty breeze, which plagued all three fleets. Tracy Doherty (14) from Team USA has moved into fourth place and is currently first female in the fleet, with Ben Harden (14) from Essex in fifth on count back. “I love the light wind conditions here in Weymouth and think it suits my kind of sailing. I am having a great week, so far,” said leader, Alex Mothersele.
Points are tight at the top of the junior fleet with Duncan Williford (12) from Chicago, USA knocking his teammate Hunter Johnson off top spot, with a bullet and a second. They are currently on equal points but on count back Williford has the best results. Dutch sailor, Niels Broekhuizen (12) remains in fourth but close on his heels is Brit Scott Wallis, only two points behind.
The regatta fleet also fitted two races in today, despite the fluky conditions. Ben Waha (11) from Hampshire has won all but one race in this fleet, leaving a gap of 12 points between him and his nearest rival, Joseph Burns (10) from Spinnaker Sailing Club in Hampshire.
Beach Master, Steve Witty commented on the event so far, “It’s been a superb week with the kids being on best behaviour. It practically runs itself with all the help of the volunteer parents. Plus it’s good to see the Brits on top in the senior fleet.”
Results after Day 3:
Senior fleet
1 - Alex MOTHERSELE GBR – 23 points
2 - Eric PLANCON ESP – 29 points
3 - Alex CURTISS USA – 32 points
4 - Tracy DOHERTY USA – 34 points
5 - Ben HARDEN GBR – 34 points
Junior fleet
1 - Duncan WILLIFORD USA – 14 points
2 - Hunter JOHNSTONE USA – 14 points
3 - Clay DANLY USA – 18 points
4 - Niels BROEKHUIZEN NED – 27 points
5 - Scott WALLIS GBR – 29 points
Regatta fleet
1 - Benjamin WAHA GBR – 11 points
2 - Joseph BURNS GBR – 23 points
3 - William MASSEY GBR – 25 points
4 - Joe GIRLING GBR – 26 points
5 - Daniel WHITELEY GBR – 41 points
More information and full results on the event website.