Iain Jenson wins MS Amlin 'Dash for Cash'
by Sean McNeill 3 Dec 2016 21:25 GMT
3-9 December 2016
Australia's Iain Jensen, winner of the MS Amlin 'Dash for Cash' © Beau Outteridge / MS Amlin International Moth Regatta
Australian Mothist takes down Outteridge, Bithell in final heat
Australian Iain Jensen pocketed $500 and a bottle of Gosling's Black Seal Rum today when he won the MS Amlin "Dash for Cash," an exhibition prelude to the 2nd annual MS Amlin International Moth Regatta hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
The Dash for Cash was sailed on a windy Hamilton Harbour, where the northwesterly breeze was recorded at 23 to 26 knots with gusts into the 30s on the race committee boat. The wind was so strong that the sailors had trouble turning downwind. There were many wipeouts as the strong gusts would blow the lightweight hydrofoiler over its bow. Some crashes were spectacular, with the skipper being launched from the boat in a cloud of spray.
"I saw a top boatspeed over 30 knots," said Jensen, who's the wing trimmer for Artemis Racing, a team entered in the 35th America's Cup scheduled next year in Bermuda. "I switched over to an Exocet boat about a year ago and it worked out really well today. It was nice to get one up on my skipper."
Jensen is the long-time crew for Nathan Outteridge, the helmsman for Artemis Racing. As a team they won the Olympic Gold medal in the 49er Class at the 2012 London Olympics. He was presented $500 in cash from Charles Penruddocke, a Senior Class Underwriter at Amlin Bermuda, who literally took the money from his wallet and handed it to Jensen.
"I'm spent," said Outteridge, the two-time Moth World Champion, as he lay on the grass catching his breath. "Iain was rock solid, but if there'd been 10 knots less breeze the racing would've been a lot more competitive."
Third place was won by Stuart Bithel of Great Britain. "It was intense, awesome racing. Very windy," said Bithel. "I survived and so did the boat, which is a bonus."
The MS Amlin International Moth Regatta is scheduled to begin tomorrow with 52 skippers entered. Up to three races per day are scheduled.
MS Amlin is a leading insurer and reinsurer, part of the global top-10 insurance group MS&AD, with operations in the Lloyd's, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. With a 300-year record and more than 2,000 people in 26 locations worldwide, we deliver continuity for businesses facing the most complex and demanding risks. Our role places us at the forefront of the Property & Casualty, Marine & Aviation and Reinsurance markets. Additional sponsors include the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Gosling's, the Official Rum of the Regatta, and Kaenon Polarized.
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