Zhik Topper World Championships at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Day 4
by Bill Brassington 15 Aug 2014 16:49 BST
10-15 August 2014
As the fourth day of the Zhik International Topper Class World Championship got underway under leaden skies, the 154 sailors were heartened by a lone Scottish piper high on the sandbanks above the beach who serenaded the fleets as they launched.
Force 3 winds over a calm seas greeted the sailors for the start of race four, and they were looking forward to a great day of sailing in Cardigan Bay. Race officer, Peter Saxton set a slightly shorter course to account for the lower wind strength, but otherwise it looked very similar to the previous day. Race 4 had some tight battles, although red flight race leader Tom Smith (GBR) quickly built a substantial lead. Lucy Mearns (GBR) came home second with Heather Spain (GBR) in third. The green flight was a lot tighter with Calum Rosie (GBR) crossing ahead Niamh Harper (GBR) and Alexander Hughes (GBR).
The 4.2 Championship continued into its fourth race with an incredibly tight competition for the lead between Championship leader Daniel Thompson (GBR) and Kulul Sarawuth (THA). Kulul is the first sailor to lead Daniel in the series so far, but due to a technical problem, Daniel Thompson again took the gun with Kulul Sarawuth close behind and Jenna McCarlie (IRL) in third place.
With weather conditions improving Peter Saxton was able to quickly restart the flights and race 5 started with continued close sailing at the front, Callum Elwin (GBR) led the red flight followed by Oliver Blackburn (GBR) and Adam D'Arcy (IRL). The green flight was headed by Bella Fellows (GBR) followed by Tom Walker (GBR) and Anna Sturrock (GBR). In the 4.2 fleet, Daniel Thompson again finished first with Rachael McCluskey (GBR) second and Jundel Cartoon (THA), third.
The excellent sailing conditions continued into the 6th and 7th qualifying races and the tussle at the front of the fleet remained tight. Adam D'Arcy finishing first in the 6th race and 3rd in the 7th race. Cullum Elwin finished 2nd and 1st respectively, Jack Butters (GBR) came in 3rd in the 6th race and Oliver Blackburn was second in the 7th race. In the green fleet Calum Rosie took the gun in their 6th race followed by Tom Walker and Niamh Harper. The last flight race for the 5.3 race was won by Joseph Drake (GBR) followed by Tom Walker and Conor Quinn (IRL).
The 4.2 championship continued with two firsts for Daniel Thompson a 3rd and a 2nd for Rachael McCluskey, a 2nd for Haken Digby (GBR) and a 3rd for Jundet Cartoon.
Results after Day 4: (top five)
5.3 m2 fleet
1. Tom Walker (GBR) 9 pts
2. Calum Rosie (GBR) 13 pts
3. Adam D'Arcy (IRL) 13 pts
4. Bella Fellows(GBR) 20 pts
5 Oliver Blackburn (GBR) 23 pts
4.2 m2 fleet
1. Daniel Thompson (GBR) 6 pts
2. Rachael McCluskey (GBR) 19 pts
3. Jenna McCarlie (IRL) 20 pts
4. Haken Digby (GBR) 23 pts
5. Jundet Cartoon (THA) 27 pts
The Topper International Masters races concluded at the end of the day with Ali Ghareeb (IRL) finishing in first place with Stevie Wilson (GBR) 2nd and Aditya Menon (IND) coming in third. This was an exciting international championships demonstrating that the International Topper can be sailed by all ages.
The 5.3 m2 fleet will be split into Gold and Silver fleets for the final series of races tomorrow.
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