Ben Ainslie steers British IC45 to Palma Win

by Sue Warden-Owen on 19 Feb 2001 BEN AINSLIE STEERS BARLO PLASTICS TO HIS FIRST IC 45 REGATTA VICTORY AT
CLEAN MARINE WINTER SERIES 2001


Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie steered Barlo Plastics to his first
regatta victory in the IC 45 Class, at the three day Clean Marine IC 45
Winter Series 2001, held in Palma, Mallorca. The event was held from
16th-18th February 2001.

Conditions for the final two races of the IC 45 WS2 regatta were slightly
overcast with a northerly breeze increasing from 10-18 knots. The first race
of the day saw Barlo Plastics get a good start, but an open propeller
impaired her performance. The race was won by Babbalaas with La Casera
second and Barlo Plastics third. SEB was over early at the start and by not
returning to restart was duly disqualified.

In the second race the wind had increased to 18 knots and the racing between
the remaining 5 boats (Faster K-Yote II did not race today) was very close.
SEB was first, La Casera second and Babbalaas third. Barlo Plastics finished
fourth but her consistent results on Friday and Saturday meant that she did
not have to worry about today's results.

Skipper and tactician Adrian Stead commented, 'It's been great to have Ben
on board this weekend. He has quickly mastered helming an IC 45 and it will
be great to work with him for the rest of the season. We have learnt a lot
this weekend and look forward to the final regatta of this series when we
return in three weeks time'.

The final regatta of the Clean Marine Winter Series 2001 is scheduled in
Palma on 9th - 11th March 2001.