Can Schooling become the Winter Champion this time?

Schooling versus Gillard at the Datchet Flyer © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Ben Schooling has been here before, sitting at the top of the rankings for the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series, only to be pipped at the post in the last regatta.

The Musto Skiff sailor has been one of the perennial performers in the Series, and his skill and persistence has been rewarded again this season by becoming the fourth sailor to top the leaderboard. He has displaced another familiar face on the winter circuit, Craig Williamson (Laser), who now sits in 2nd overall. Iain Horlock's Supernova lies in 3rd, ahead of 4th placed David Summerville, who has been the top D-Zero performer this winter.

While they don't currently show in the top 10 overall, a good performance at the final event, the John Merricks Tiger Trophy at Rutland this weekend, could see two other top-level teams surge into pole position. GP14 World Champions Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe are well in contention, as is Fireball World Champion Tom Gillard, racing in the Series with Andy Couch in a 505.

By the way, there's still time to enter the Tiger Trophy this weekend: www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Meanwhile, here's an update of the other 'Series within the Series':

Battle of the Classes

After a strong showing at the Bloody Mary, the Laser class leapfrogs the D-Zeros to take top spot in the Battle of the Classes. The RS200s are holding on to third place, with Solos and Musto Skiffs making gains up the Class Rankings. It looks like this battle will go right down to the wire at Rutland, with the top 11 classes still in the running.

Musto Speed Challenge

Ralph Singleton (RS800) now tops the MUSTO Speed Wall after an adjusted speed of 16.14148712 kts achieved at the Oxford Blue. The sailor who tops the MUSTO Speed Wall over the 2015/16 GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series, could win £500 of great MUSTO kit. If you are tracked by SailRacer you will be automatically entered into the MUSTO Speed Challenge. Alternatively, you can download the SailRacer MUSTO App or upload your GPX files from your own device.

Trident Top Club

Again another change in the leader board with Burghfield knocking Hill Head off top spot. Datchet have made good gains, and there are 10 clubs still in the running for top spot.

Harken Youth Trophy

Tom Southwell (D-Zero) maintains his unbeaten run at the top of the Harken Youth Rankings, with Eleanor Craig (Radial) jumping into second spot after a good result at the Bloody Mary and Matthew Luxton (Radial) up to third. Nick Devereux (GP14) who missed the Bloody Mary, drops two places to 4th, but could still win after the final event (Tiger Trophy), along with four other Youth sailors who are all in contention.

Gul Top Lady Award

All change at the top, Ann Jackson (Enterprise) and winner of GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series Round 2 at Datchet, now heads the GUL Top Lady award rankings on countback. Eleanor Craig (Radial) moves up to second, tying on 11 points with Ann. Only these two ladies can win this award going into the final event (Tiger Trophy). Kim May-Papailiou (29er) drops to third, and faces a closer battle with three other sailors who could take the final podium position.

Overall results after six events here and you can enter the Tiger Trophy at www.SailJuiceSeries.com