Lofoten RS Elite UK National Championship - Day 3
by Martin Wadhams 2 Aug 2015 09:57 BST
30 July - 2 August 2015
Lofoten RS Elite UK National Championships © Michael Austen
Wind in the high teens, waves, beautiful sunshine, Christchurch Bay backdrop and exciting sailing with intense racing... you've got the picture. One of the best ever days of RS Elite racing.
The three races produced three winners, with Mike McIntyre taking the first ahead of Steven Polly and Paul Fisk. Overall leaders, the Browns, were down in 8th and everyone wondered whether an upset could begin.
Race two saw Polly clinch the victory, and the Browns were back in 9th... but with McIntyre this time in 5th the Championship writing was on the wall. Fisk claimed 2nd and Al Keck finally delivered with a 3rd.
As the breeze built stronger and the waves got steeper, the racing just got more exciting. At the first bottom mark Ossie Stewart was cementing his good day in the lead, but with all the other top boats smoking in overlapped at the gate it was pretty amazing racing. And the Browns showed their class once again to motor through to win, with Ossie in second and Keck again in 3rd.
So, the Browns have deservedly sealed the title with a day to spare – an incredible performance in this hot fleet. But everything is to play for behind them. One point separates 2nd to 4th so it really is a last race show-down for the other podium positions. Good breeze is forecast and the sun is shining again over Lymington.
Overall results after 9 races:
1st, Aeolus, Jono Brown 13pts
2nd, Foudafafa, Mike McIntyre, 27pts
3rd, Storm, Stephen Polly, 28pts
4th, Legs Eleven, Paul Fisk, 28pts
5th, More T Vicar, Ossie Stewart 38pts
6th, Kiss, Martin Wadhams, 39pts