A great weekend’s radio racing was had by all 23 competitors, including 5 juniors, who assembled on Saturday morning from all parts of the UK as well as Switzerland, France and Italy. This annual championship is held in a different country every year and this year was organised by Sail Footy UK now an affiliated MYA Class Association with the help of the Two Islands Radio Yacht Club. As well as being blessed with good weather, the wind direction on both days was very favourable, even if it was very light and variable at times; this allowed a total of 16 races to be sailed. Not only was the weather hot, but the competition from abroad was very hot indeed!
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This was evident in the
first few races in a light north-easterly breeze using the biggest
rigs. As all the UK rigs are limited in area, Phil Tyler SUI 42
sailing his SLIM design with a bigger rig, was able to win the first
two easily. The European superiority was even clearer in Race 3, won
by young Hippolyte Bessiere FRA 176 sailing a PROTO, because the
first GBR boat finished behind all of our friends from over the
water. The situation looked better for the GBR in Race 4, when Rob
Vice GBR 41 sailing the ICE, finished 2nd behind Enrico
Audizio ITA 34 sailing an ENGI. The wind direction became very
unstable and this gave PRO Roger Stollery a real headache resetting
the simple windward leeward course on many occasions.
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Phil Tyler continued
his winning form by taking Races 8 and 9, with Claudio winning Race
10. Enrico won Race 11 and Jean-Francois Bessiere FRA 124 sailing his
PROTO design won Race 12, with Claudio winning Race 13. A GBR winner
has not been mentioned so far, but this changed when Alfie Hart GBR
17, won Race 14 with his ICE after a close battle with Rob. This
apparent match race at the front of the fleet continued into the
final two races, which were both won by Rob and allowed him to claw
his way into silver medal position, one point behind Phil and just
one point ahead of Claudio who was just two points ahead of Enrico!
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Winning DesignerPhil Tyler - SliM - SUI42
Angus Richardson AwardGary Sanderson - Hooligan - GBR13
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Post by Fred Fanackerpan. |
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