RS500 World Championships at SS Kaparen, Sweden - Day 3

RS500 World Championship action © Lisa Johansson Landell

RS500 World Championship action © Lisa Johansson Landell

Today only the 500's were to race, allowing the race officer to go for race area 5, situated just at the opening of the Kungsbackafjord with open water until you hit Denmark or the UK. The morning was cloudy with a good south-westerly breeze of 12 knots and the waves were quite big out on the race course.

The fleet was hot and eager to get started and, despite flag I, there was a general recall but with the U flag the race took off with a slight pin-end advantage. The wind was pretty stable, with mostly regular shifts, so managing boat speed and tacking technique in the waves proved to be essential. At the first rounding the Swedes, Rook and Broberg, rounded first tightly followed by the Soderstrom sisters, Wilkins and Martin and Barton and Chipperfield. Downwind was all about finding pressure and playing with surfs in the big waves. The course was extended at the second lap and there was a tight fight between the two Swedish boats on the second beat, a fight won by Karin and Ingrid Soderstrom who then just took off on the downwind and claiming their second bullet in the championship. They were followed by Rook/Broberg, Wilkins/Martin and Barton/Chipperfield.

Between the races the clouds cleared up and with the U flag up already at the first start the fleet was quickly on its way when a westerly shift hit the course making it look as if the starboard side of the fleet was far ahead of the boats on the port side. Eventually the wind shifted back and Barton and Chipperfield who were going very fast on the port side rounded first at the top-mark, chased by the Swedish boats Soderstrom/Soderstrom, Rook/Broberg, Johansson/Johansson and Brits Wilkins/Martin. Once again the second beat turned out be a real fight with a very tight rounding with Soderstrom/Soderstrom, Barton/Chipperfield and Rook/Broberg. And once again the two Swedish sisters were the fastest ones passing the finishing line well ahead of Barton/Chipperfield and Rook/Broberg.

When we reached the harbour after a lovely sailing-day out on open water, the after sail food was ready and then all of a sudden a crazy Viking with seaweed-hair appeared and silly games took place in the sun outside the clubhouse. Small frogs were spitted by dizzy sailors, a football game with a paper-bag over your head was played, and in a golf-like game chestnuts were shot into the water. Everybody survived and some were even brave enough to try the SUP (Stand-up-paddling). In summery another wonderful sunny day filled with good sailing and great fun.

Results after Day 3: (seven races, 1 discard)