Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta - Overall
by Lindsey Bell, RYA 20 Sep 2009 08:40 BST
14-19 September 2009
Brits rule the waves as Skandia Sail for Gold draws to a close
British sailors put on an impressive display as the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta threw open its doors to over 1000 spectators for the final medal deciding day of the event on Saturday (19 September).
Skandia Team GBR landed a spectacular seven medals in front of the home crowd on Saturday with two gold, four silver and one bronze adding to the two silvers won in the Paralympic classes on Friday to ensure the largest medal haul of any nation at the event.
The wind initially refused to play at the scheduled race start time at Weymouth and Portland’s National Sailing Academy however, despite medal races being canned in Finn, Star, Laser, RS:X Men’s and Women’s windsurfing classes, medal race action graced the crowds in five classes – the Elliot 6m, Laser Radial, 470 Men’s, 470 Women’s and 49er.
Regatta golds went to British Olympic Star Champions Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, having not dropped from top spot all week, and Nic Asher and Elliot Willis in the 470 Men’s class.
The 470 Men’s medal race was a real show-stopper with week-long regatta leaders Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page (Australia) picking up a false start (OCS) in the race, allowing Brits Nic Asher and Elliot Wills to take gold with silver going to impressive new pairing Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell.
“It’s been going well for us - going into the medal race joint with the Aussies,” Willis explained.
“We made a pretty ballsy start off the line and had a split decision out there whether to go back or not; and it paid off!”
“We’re really happy we’ve had a great week and put a good series together – it couldn’t have gone any better for us really,” Asher concluded.
Having only sailed together for a month and adding major event silver to their belt today, new pairing Patience and Bithell is clearly working out well.
“Solid as a rock,” Patience exclaimed.
And adding to Luke and Stuart’s silver medal haul were Skandia Team GBR’s Bryony Shaw (RS;X Women), Ed Wright (Finn) and Lucy Macgregor with crew Annie Lush and Ally Martin (Elliot 6m).
“It would have been nice to go out there and have a shot at first, but second I’m very happy with following my downer at the Worlds.” Shaw explained
“Racing well this week I bounced back so I’m very happy,” she concluded.
Meanwhile there was further medal glory for the Skandia Team GBR women, with Pippa Wilson and Saskia Clark clinching bronze in only their second event together since teaming up in the 470 earlier this year.
Adding to Britain’s success at their home regatta, British sailors capped off the inaugural ISAF World Cup Series – of which Skandia Sail for Gold formed the series finale – with more silverware and the top nation status after the seven events.
Ed Wright had the Finn series wrapped up before this week, while Nick Thompson in the Laser and Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin also picked up World Cup series wins.
“I’m really happy to have won. Consistency pays and all year I’ve been consistently at the top which secured it for me.” Wright explained.
“The whole fleet is coming on this year, it’s really competitive and the young British guys are really starting to perform which is great for the class and great for racing – it’s been really enjoyable racing against all these guys.”
Paul Campbell-James and Mark Asquith picked up silver in the 49er World Cup standings, in spite of now having parted company, while Giles Scott and Nic Asher-Elliot Willis claimed World Cup series bronzes.
For full results and information, visit www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk
Skandia Sail For Gold British Medal Tally:
Gold
Star: Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson
470 Men’s: Nic Asher and Elliot Willis
Silver
470 Men’s – Luck Patience and Stuart Bithell
Elliot 6m – Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush, Ally Martin
Finn – Ed Wright
RS:X Women’s – Bryony Shaw
Skud18 - John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas
Sonar – Alex Rickham and Niki Birrell
Bronze
470 Women’s – Pippa Wilson and Saskia Clark