Laser SB3 Volkswagen Touareg Trophy at Cowes - Day 4
by LaserSailing.com 11 Aug 2004 22:54 BST
Action from the Laser SB3 fleet at Skandia Cowes Week ©
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The day started with clear skies, baking sunshine and a stable Force 2-3 South Westerly breeze. It was near perfect conditions as the flag officers took charge of proceedings. The Laser SB3 class fleet set off to a clean start with the Laser team of Chris Blackburn, Paul Bedell and Paul Willis (Head of Volkswagen UK) making a flying start. The Laser team held their nerve to reach the windward mark 2 minutes ahead of the fleet. On rounding the mark the boat sailed into a hole and the fleet quickly caught them. The racing was immensely tight with places changing on every leg.
After his second place on Day 3, Glen Bourke sailing SB3 Musto is proving almost too hot to handle in the fleet with only Colin Simmonds sailing Doolalli offering any resistance. They once again showed their skills, sailing downwind low and fast on the second leg and both were ahead of the fleet by quite a large margin. Both maintained their lead to the end of the race. Just prior to the finish Glen Bourke's Musto sailed into a hole and Colin Simmonds applied some last minute pressure. The end result was Glen Bourke's Musto winning by the smallest of margins.
Glen Bourke will fly the pink gennaker from his boat Musto on Day 5.