Flying Dutchman World Championships at Largs Sailing Club - Day 3
by Alan Henderson 16 Jul 2014 21:39 BST
14-19 July 2014
After a wet and windy first day, a light second day, the third day brought four seasons all in one day to sailors at the Flying Dutchman (FD) World Championships, Largs.
The day started with a postponement due to high winds gusting to 28 knots, backed by low visibility under the dark skies and heavy rain showers. But a couple of hours later, winds dropped to 15 knots to allow the first start. Competitors had to stay on their toes, though, as a major windshift came through, and the race finished in torrential rain and light winds. However the wind settled in time for the second race and increased to around 12 knots for the start. The clouds parted and glorious sunshine poured through, leaving competitors very happy with a good day's sailing and good winds at Largs.
Both races were of two rounds, with a good mix of fast reaches and runs.
Hungary's Szabolcs Majthenyi and Andras Domokos navigated today's slings and arrows just as well as they had enjoyed the windy start to the Championship, to take another pair of wins to stretch their lead at the top of the 42 competitors, coping well with windshifts in both races.
2013 World Champions Enno Kramer and Ard Geelkerken, from the Netherlands, also reinforced their place in second overall, taking a fourth place and a second. Germany's Ludtke and Schafers retained third place, while the brothers Vespasiani from Italy leapt up the rankings to fourth in this very cosmopolitan fleet, with sailors from four different countries in the top four positions.
Among competitors from other continents, the best sailors include respectively Edward Cox and Peter Bevis from Australia, the host country of next year's FD Worlds, Paul Hemker and Richard Phillips from USA, and Javier and Pablo Valdes from Mexico.
A number of ladies are competing in this Championship, and are having to work hard in these powerful boats and brisk winds. Top female sailor is Elisa Koenig of Germany who with crewman Alexander Schmidt, lies in 20th position.
The class would like to thank Championship sponsors Clamcleats, Design Berlin, Banks Sails, Ronstan, Magill & Co Ltd, Old Pulteney, Allen Brothers, Musto.
Racing among this international gathering from eleven countries worldwide continues on Friday with another two races, and the Championship completes on Saturday. Can anyone stop the march of the Magyars?
Full results at scottishsailinginstitute.com