18ft Skiff Euro Grand Prix at Sandbanks, Poole - Day 3
by Tristan Hutt 4 Sep 2016 07:23 BST
1-4 September 2016
Day three of the 18 foot skiff European Grand Prix in Sandbanks proved to be as eventful as the forecast indicated with a building breeze and sea state testing all of the teams.
The day dawned with moody grey skies and every team opting for their smaller, No2 rigs which when powered up provide the spectacles 18 footers are so well known for with boats jumping fully out of the water on a regular basis.
The first two races were held in 16 - 20 knot wind but the large waves made for a very tricky racetrack with many boats visiting the mine as they got to grips with the conditions. Team Pica were casing Chia for the first lap after a strong start from the Danes. Pica gained the overlap just before the windward mark and held the lead for the rest of the race with Chia in second.
The second race saw a strong return of Be Light to the front of the fleet with Pica leading until a nosedive on the first downwind leg. Be Light, Chia and Union Rose lead the charge for the rest of the race however Pica did sail back into third in the end. With Be Light winning another race positions at the top remained tight.
The final race of the day proved the most challenging with gusts occasionally hitting the high twenties and the biggest waves of the day. Quite often downwind the sea would simply open up as boats tried to maintain control in the top end conditions. For most the conditions proved too much however team Pica sailed conservatively to take the win with Chameleon I in a strong second.
After the final discard kicks in tomorrow, Be Light will still be within two points of Pica ensuring close racing between the teams. Likewise the fight for third will also be very tight between Original Chia and Chameleon I.
Results after Day 3:
Pos | Boat Name | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
1st | PICA | 92 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
2nd | Belight | HUN 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (DNC) | 1 | DNC | 22 |
3rd | CHIA | | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | (DNC) | 27 |
4th | Chameleon i | | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | (RET) | DNC | 5 | 2 | 32 |
5th | Rutland | 118 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 3 | (DNC) | DNC | 42 |
6th | Union Rose | 115 | 7 | (RET) | DNC | 7 | RET | DNC | 4 | 4 | DNC | 66 |
7th | AOL / LED | 43 | 8 | (RET) | DNC | 5 | 6 | 4 | DNC | DNC | DNC | 67 |
8th | Team O marine | 122 | 6 | 6 | 6 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 73 |
9th | Talullah | 55 | (RET) | 7 | RET | RET | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 84 |
10th | Young & reckless | BERG 29 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 88 |