Barlo Plastics IC45 wins Clean Marine Winter Series.

by Sue Warden- Owen on 12 Mar 2001 The final race of the Clean Marine IC 45 Winter Series 2001 got underway at
13:20 today, Sunday 11th March, in 5 knots of wind and a very weak sea
breeze. With only one race scheduled in the light conditions, Barlo
Plastics had to prevent the Swedish team aboard SEB from winning the race,
in order to clinch the regatta.

Barlo Plastics IC 45 started match racing SEB 4½ minutes prior to the race
start, and managed to pin the Swedish team outside of the left hand end of
the start line. Both yachts started late although Barlo Plastics rounded
the top mark in first place, with SEB trailing the five-strong fleet, as the
two British entries Babbalaas and Bounder had made the decision to return to
the marina in the light conditions.

On the finish line, Barlo Plastics took second place behind the French boat
Faster K-Yote II. Skipper Stead said, 'Covering the Swedish team was always
our priority, ahead of actually winning the race. We had to ensure that SEB
didn't win the final race of the Series so we executed this well, and we
also seemed to be quite quick in the light airs.'

On the overall Series, Stead commented, 'Today has been a good constructive
conclusion to sailing in Palma. We've had three good regattas with a wind
range from 5 to 28 knots, so we couldn't have asked for better practising
conditions.'

With overall victory secured at the Clean Marine IC 45 Winter Series 2001,
Barlo Plastics IC 45 will now return to the Solent and is next scheduled to
be competing at the Red Funnel Regatta on 13th - 15th April 2001.