Mirror Pre-Worlds at Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Overall

Port Elizabeth woke up to a magnificent African Sunshine Day. Sparkling water, light easterly breeze and warm sunshine. The last day of the Pre-Worlds and it looked like the weather gods had dished up a goodie. Most of the sailors piled the sunscreen on and took their sea sickness remedies, before leaving for the three last races.

The course was laid with the weather mark right close to the Shark Rock Pier, allowing spectators to almost reach out and touch the sailors.

The fifth race of the series and first race of the day saw a series of attempted starts as the eager sailors pushed the line once, twice, three times before the succesful restart on attempt number four under a second black flag start. Despite the black flag start there were still 12 boats over the line that were disqualified. The race started in an easterly wind from 150 degrees and an average wind strength of 8 knots. We had a light chop and following sea for the reach and downwind legs. Ricky and Ryan Robinson from Team South Africa sailed into their second first place of the series.

Race no. 6 of the series started in a fine 12 knot breeze and with light chop. Two boats were OCS and the race over the triangle took one hour and four minutes. Again the windward mark was close to the Shark Rock Pier affording the spectators incredible views of the sailors fighting for position and setting themselves up for the Reach leg. Anna Mackenzie and Holly Scott from Team GBR sailed to their third first place of the series.

In a rising east of 14 knots the third race started at 14:09 and ended at 15:15. Once again Rick and Ryan Robinson from Team South Africa came in first, their third bullet of the pre-worlds, but not enough to get them into the top 3. The first four finishers all finished within seconds of each other. Tight racing on a well set out course.

Most of the sailors gave today's three races a thumbs up as the best racing of the week so far.

After the racing we marched through the streets of Port Elizabeth to the Mayor's Parlour and were treated to a welcome from the Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor Councillor Bicks Ndoni who graciously thanked all sailors and supporters for gracing the fair town of Port Elizabeth. This was followed by Mirror Worlds President of South Africa, Eric Marshall, announcing the Top Three positions and Councillor Ndoni presenting medals to the top three skippers and crew - 1st; Anna Mackenzie and Holly Scott (England), 2nd: Ross Kearney and Adam McCullough (Ireland) and 3rd: Paul Amerlynck and Melissa Daly (Ireland). Anna and Holly thanked the Race and organising committees for a wonderful regatta and admitted that this was the best regatta that they had ever sailed in.

After the speeches food and drink was laid on by courtesy of the Nelson Mandela Metropole.

Thursday the 11th January is a lay day. At 6:00 p.m. to-morrow we also have the Mixing of the waters ceremony at the Shark Rock Pier followed by a flag raising ceremony back at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club. The 2007 Mirror World Championships begin in earnest on Friday 12 January and end on the 18th January.

Top three places:

1. Anna Mackenzie and Holly Scott (England)
2. Ross Kearney and Adam McCullough (Ireland)
3. Paul Amerlynck and Melissa Daly (Ireland)

Top Sailors by Country:

1. Anna Mackenzie and Holly Scott (England)
2. Brennan Robinson and Julian Wertheim Aymes (South Africa)
3. Stephen Locke and Lois Pickering (Australia)
4. Paul Amerlynck and Melissa Daly (Ireland)
5. Per Backlund (Sweden)

More information on the event website.