ACO Musto Skiff Pre-Worlds Regatta at Fraglia Vela Riva - Overall
by Rick Perkins 13 Sep 2015 18:22 BST
11-19 September 2015
The second day of the Pre-worlds regatta for the ACO 6th Musto Performance Skiff World Championships started today in a light northerly breeze of 6-8 knots.
The fleet were a little sluggish off the shore after the sunny windy races of the previous day as the race track looked a little less inviting.
After a short postponement the fleet started cleanly first time. The fleet split off the start with series leader Richie Robertson (AUS) starting at the committee boat and tacked off to the middle of the lake with a group whilst the bulk of the fleet headed left towards the cliffs.
As the fleet approached the windward mark it was clear that the leading boats had come from both sides of the beat and so perhaps boat speed and local pressure were the key to a good position at the first mark.
First round was Ben Schooling (GBR); followed by Jon Newman (AUS) and Dan Trotter (GBR). As the boats headed into the first run the breeze softened and shifted left as the rain started to fall.
The leaders went through the gate and started heading upwind in the light wind which now no longer supported the sailors on the trapeze as the boats headed up wind choosing both sides of the course.
At this point the wind died and the rain got worse and so the race team abandoned the race.
The fleet were then towed ashore and no further racing was possible.
This meant the pre-worlds regatta drew to a close with 2 races on the slate.
The fleet then enjoyed a pasta party and prize giving on the terrace at Fraglia Vela Riva.
Richie Robertson (AUS) was a worthy winner of the pre-worlds scoring a 1 & 2. In his winner's speech he was a little concerned about peaking too early.
Tomorrow is a lay day as sailors make their final preparations for the worlds; some will prepare with a big night out in Riva tonight whilst others will go for a sail or fiddle with their boats in the boat park.
Overall Results: (top five)
Pos | Sail No | Helm (Club) | Pts |
1 | AUS 380 | Robertson Richie (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron) | 3 |
2 | AUS 513 | Schoenhoff Thor (Fremantle Sailing Club) | 8 |
3 | GBR 414 | Peacock Rick (Weston Sailing Club) | 9 |
4 | GBR 534 | Keen Bruce (Stokes Bay) | 12 |
5 | AUS 492 | Newman Jon (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron) | 14 |
6 | GBR 527 | Trotter Dan (Derwent Reservoir) | 17 |
Full results