11th ACO Musto Skiff World Championships during Kiel Week - Day 4
by Jamie Hilton 26 Jun 2022 11:51 BST
18-26 June 2022
11th ACO Musto Skiff World Championships during Kiel Week, day 4 start line © Bernardí Bibiloni /
www.bernardibibiloni.com
With light winds forecast, many of the fleet expected a delay to racing with the afternoon forecast suggesting a firmer breeze. That said, the race committee had other ideas and sent the fleet out to course Kilo, once again, for an intended 11am start.
However, with light winds near drifter conditions, the racing effectively started from the beach with sailors anxious not to miss the start. Thankfully, though, when we eventually arrived at the race area some 1hr 40mins later, the welcome sight of the raised AP greeted the fleets arrival.
A long wait ensued for the wind to fill in, drifting around in the hot sun. A big thanks to the race committee for supplying water bottles to the thirsty sailors. When the wind finally showed signs of filling in, the race team were sharply engaged to set the fleet off around 2pm in a weak NE breeze of around 5-7 knots.
Rob Richardson revelled in the conditions, which clearly suited him, by winning both races of the day. Speaking to him after racing he passed on his concise view of the keys to his success: make use of the pin bias, go left for pressure, clean lanes and clean foils (where the stringy weed was a super effective way of scrubbing off speed).
In the lighter winds, the smaller framed sailors were having a good day, most of the time at least, where Tim Rogers gave up a second place at the top mark with an unfortunate dip after his mainsheet jammer released. Iver Ahlmann, Stuart Keegan and Ian Trotter were all scoring well, but at the top it was Andy Tarboton who scored best with a 2, 4 to narrow the lead of Rick Peacock to three points. Peter Greenhalgh pulled up very well to 3rd overall after his impressive 3, 2. Behind the podium spots, the chasing pack is led by Rob Richardson, who will be looking forward to the final day, were more light winds and three races are scheduled.
The championship is far from sewn up, and it's all to race for going into the final day, should the wind fill in.
The overnight leaderboard, and wearers of the bibs for the following day are Peacock (22pts), Tarboton (25pts) and Greenhalgh (37pts).
Thanks again to ACO Group, our Title Event Sponsor for the Musto Skiff Worlds, and to class sponsor, Musto, for providing all the Musto kit for the daily prizes.
Results after Day 4: (top five)
1st - GBR 630 - Rick Peacock
2nd - RSA 590 - Andy Tarboton
3rd - GBR 632 - Peter Greenhalgh
4th - GBR 549 - Rob Richardson
5th - GBR 566 - Jono Shelley