Chernikeeff RYA National Match Racing Finals - Day Four
by Nigel Cherrie 28 Oct 2000 21:51 BST
BUDGEN IN PROVISIONAL POLE FOR CHERNIKEEFF RYA NATIONAL MATCH RACING TITLE
Photos ©: Mark Pepper/MarinePics
In ever increasing strong westerly winds and overcast skies, Ian Budgen, from Warsash in Hampshire, won the eight boat quarter final round robin at the Chernikeeff RYA National Match Racing Finals held in the Royal Victoria Dock, London today. Weather permitting, he will take the top spot in
tomorrow's semi finals, alongside Andy Beadsworth, Ian Williams and Richard Sydenham. Should the forecast gale winds sweep the capital tomorrow and force the cancellation of the final day's racing, he will be crowned Chernikeeff RYA National Match Racing Champion.
The blustery winds, which threatened to increase to gale force as the day progressed, made interesting watching and a nail biting final round. Going into the seventh and final flight, only Budgen was assured of a place in the final, with the fates of reigning champion Andy Beadsworth, Ian
Williams, Joe Llewellyn and Richard Sydenham dependent on the last set of races.
At the conclusion of the racing, Beadsworth, Williams and Sydenham occupied the final three places in the semi-finals. However, the sword of Damacles hung over Beadsworth's head as he faced a protest from Joe Llewellyn. In their race, it was claimed that Beadsworth had sailed through the
prohibited start line area on his downwind leg. The jury eventually decided in Beadsworth's favour.
Beadsworth, who has won this event a record four times, would have been tied on six points with Budgen had he not failed to notice a change to the sailing instructions. In his final race against Richard Sydenham, he was leading comfortably but passed to starboard of the finish line on his final
lap, believing that one more lap remained.
Olympic Gold medallist Shirley Robertson was one of the three female crews to make the final weekend. She sailed well in the blustery conditions, but just missed out on the Gold round preceding the finals. "We had a lot to do in this event, but it was always possible that we would get to the final rounds. We haven't done much match racing this year so it was good practice
for us with the World Championships next month. We have a new jib trimmer, who will be sailing with us in the Worlds, so it was good to sail with her and it's beneficial for us to sail against the guys as they are much faster and they don't let you away with anything. The location is challenging too, as Docklands is gusty and you are sailing in a very confined space. All in all, it was very good experience for us," commented Shirley.
Chernikeeff RYA National Sailing Championships Finals:
Gold group round robin:
1 I Budgen,I Moore,B Hammersley,D Lenz 6 wins 1 loss - 6 pts
2 A Beadsworth,A Stead,I Tillet,N Pearson 5 wins 2 losses - 5 pts
3 I Williams,T Saunt,C Gowers,M Williams 4 wins 3 losses - 4 pts
4 R Sydenham,H Styles,A May,J Tremlett 4 wins 3 losses - 4 pts
5 J Llewellyn,N Wakefield,N MacGregor,C Pourthon 3 wins 4 losses - 3 pts
6 P Campbell James,M Gill,S Richmond, J Smith 2 wins 5 losses - 2 pts
7 S Shaw, O Modral,L Child,S Schofield 2 wins 5 losses - 2 pts
8 M Campbell-James,M Nicholls,J Clifton,J Ward 2 wins 5 losses - 2 pts
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