8 Metre Worlds at Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club - Day 1
by RNCYC 17 Jul 2007 09:56 BST
16-21 July 2007
Scottish yacht takes the lead after first day
Lafayette, owned by Murdoch McKillop and skippered by Allan Manuel took the lead on the first day of the 8 Metre Centennial World Championship 2007, run by the Royal Northern Yacht Club at Rhu, sponsored by Chopard.
The Scottish yacht has yet to sail in a championship and not be on the podium.
She has always been pretty much unbeatable in heavy air and since her keel
was changed she has become a superb all-round performer for the conditions in
Scotland.
In spite of poor visibility the first race started on time at 11.00 in 12 to 14 knots of
wind. Wyvern was disqualified for being over the start line early. Soon after the start the wind backed, resulting in a rather one-sided course.
The leading boats at the first mark were Lafayette, Aluette and Hollandia. These
three were in the lead throughout the race which lasted just over an hour.
Lafayette extended her lead throughout the race and the crewing was
conspicuously superior to other boats.
First of the classic boats was Saskia from Australia which finished 6th overall
having sailed a very good race.
Carron from Norway retired with damage to her mainsail, but managed to return
to the race area in time for the second start.
A second race was started in about 6 to 8 knots of wind but was abandoned soon
after the leading yachts had passed the windward mark as the wind there died to
virtually zero. At time of abandonment Hollandia was leading followed by
Lafayette, then Alluette, which had just passed Peter Wilson’s Ganymede, the
newest boat in the fleet, which had its first sail only two days ago.
Lafayette, better in heavier conditions, struggled off the start line in the second
race, but recovered impressively to be closely in touch with Hollandia at the top
mark, with the remainder of the fleet well behind.
After a long wait for new breeze the race officer abandoned racing for the day.
Results after Day 1:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat Name | R1 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | GBR 2 | Lafayette | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | SUI 11 | Aluette | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | NED 1 | Hollandia | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | SUI 8 | Yquem | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | CAN 24 | Gefion | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | AUS 6 | Saskia | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | FIN 8 | Windy | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | SUI 12 | Elsinore | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | GBR 1 | Ganymede | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | CAN 7 | If | 10 | 10 |
| 11 | J 1 | Aun | 11 | 11 |
| 12 | GBR 36 | Athena | 12 | 12 |
| 13 | SUI 1 | Catina VI | 13 | 13 |
| 14 | G 15 | Anne Sophie | 14 | 14 |
| 15 | F 1 | Aile VI | 15 | 15 |
| 16 | SUI 4 | Glana | 16 | 16 |
| 17 | H 9 | Elfe II | 17 | 17 |
| 18 | H 4 | Sposa | 18 | 18 |
| 19 | GER 8 | Wyvern | 21 | 21 |
| 19 | K2 | Carron | 21 | 21 |
| 21 | I 4 | Vega | 23 | 23 |
| 21 | H 12 | The Truant | 23 | 23 |
More information at www.8metre-rncyc.com