Artemis International 14 Worlds at the WPNSA - Day 2

After several days of high winds in Weymouth the International 14 fleet managed to complete the first race of their Artemis World Championship in a light and variable south westerly breeze.

After one general recall the fleet got away with a clean start under the black flag. Archie Massey/Dan Wilsdon made the early move after getting a good start and picking up some breeze as they came out the start and headed left. At the first mark they led with Roger Gilbert/Ben Mcgrane following close behind. This pattern was then set for the rest of the race, with Gilbert/Mcgrane gaining downwind, but Massey/Wilsdon holding and pulling away upwind. These two boats pulled away from the fleet as the race progressed.

Katie Nurton and Nigel Ash sailed a good race and finished third. The chasing pack kept up the pressure, and there were numerous place changes as the breeze oscillated and finally faded on the last lap. Boats from four nations, UK, Australia, Germany and Canada filled the rest of the top ten, showing that the fleets from all around the world are on the pace for this championship.

The race team persevered and set up for a second race but with the breeze fading and fog descending the fleet was sent back to shore for free beer, a barbecue and a raft building contest.

Race 1 Highlights Video:

The next Worlds race is scheduled for Sunday. The prestigious POW Cup race is scheduled for today, and this six lap marathon will decide the UK National Champion. With a strong breeze forecast another exciting days sailing looks very likely. Stay tuned...

A full set of results from Race 1 of the Worlds can be found at www.sailracer.us/eventsites/results_main.asp?id=1585&eventid=84779&stage=yes&templ=84779_full

Follow all the action with race updates on the event website www.i14worlds.com as well as on Twitter @Artemis14worlds

The Artemis 2011 International 14 World Championships is kindly supported by Artemis, Oceanair and Magma.