18ft Skiff International Championship in Carnac - Day 2
by Peter Danby 6 Jun 2003 20:52 BST
18 foot Skiff International Championship and Euro Cup, Carnac, Races 3, 4 and 5
Photos © Peter Danby
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After the very tough conditions that tested the crews to the limit yesterday, the Bay of Quiberon served up a sunny benign afternoon for the 18 footers today (Thursday).
With three races now sailed (Race 2 having been abandoned yesterday due to the weather conditions), the RMW Marine team of Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Peter Greenhalgh have put themselves into an excellent position to retain this championship.
Their effort in the opening race of the day was, by their own high standards, pretty dismal, and they found themselves struggling near the back of the fleet in the light and shifty conditions, but they were able to reassert themselves by taking the next two races in succession. Their result in Race 5 was particularly good, as they got badly mauled at the start, and then recovered brilliantly to take the lead just before the finishing line.
Others who scored well on the day were the Swiss team of Stephan Rueger, Daniel Staib and Ueli Marti on Exel, who sailed flawlessly to win Race 3 and took fifth in Race 4. Reigning world champions Howie Hamlin and Mike Martin, sailing here with Jonny Meers on General Electric scored second, fourth and third, while former world champion Trevor Barnabas, with Chad Freitas and Chris Cleary on Omega Smeg remained in the running with two fourth places.
The overall points situation at the half way stage after a discard sees the RMW Marine team holding a commanding lead with the perfect score of zero points, followed by a gaggle of boats comprising General Electric, Omega Smeg, Yandoo, Total Recall and Exel.
Race 3 results:
1. Exel, Stephan Rueger, Daniel Staib and Ueli Marti (SUI)
2. General Electric, Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin and Jonni Meers (USA)
3. Hermes, Ed Browne, Mark Tait and Lachlan Torrance (GBR)
4. Omega Smeg, Trevor Barnabas, Chad Freitas and Chris Cleary (AUS)
5. Radii, Andy Richards, Andy Fairley and Tim Davies (GBR)
6. Wempe, Flemming Clausen, Thomas Ebler and Soren Clausen (DEN)
Race 4 results:
1. RMW Marine, Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Peter Greenhalgh (GBR)
2. Flawless, Pablo Soldano, Matteo Giovannelli and Marco Ferrari (ITA)
3. Yandoo, John Winning, Euan McNicol and Geoff Beauchop (AUS)
4. General Electric, Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin and Jonni Meers (USA)
5. Exel, Stephan Rueger, Daniel Staib and Ueli Marti (SUI)
6. Total Recall, Tony Hannan, Cameron McDonald and Greg Windust (AUS)
Race 5 results:
1. RMW Marine, Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Peter Greenhalgh (GBR)
2. Total Recall, Tony Hannan, Cameron McDonald and Greg Windust (AUS)
3. General Electric, Howie Hamlin, Mike Martin and Jonni Meers (USA)
4. Omega Smeg, Trevor Barnabas, Chad Freitas and Chris Cleary (AUS)
5. Yandoo, John Winning, Euan McNicol and Geoff Beauchop (AUS)
6. Hermes, Ed Browne, Mark Tait and Lachlan Torrance (GBR)
Overall after 4 races completed, with 1 discard:
1. RMW Marine, 0 points
2. General Electric, 16.7 points
3. Omega Smeg, 19 points
4. Yandoo, 21.4 points
5. Total Recall, 22.7 points
6. Exel, 23 points