|
Despite unfavourable light winds on Scotland’s Firth of Clyde, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron entrant Saskia continues to head the Classic Yachts division after the third day of racing at the 8 Metre Centennial World Championships.
After long delays the breeze came in at 5 knots for the first race of the day and only 7 – 8 knots for the second race, with John and Michael Stephen’s Saskia turning in its worst races of the series, a 8th and a 13th place in the 20 boat international fleet.
Nevertheless, Saskia is seventh overall in the World Championship and leads the Classic division, three points ahead of the Japanese crew sailing the chartered Scottish boat Aun, and well clear of the next Classic boat, If, from Canada.
With John Stephen on the helm, Saskia has so far placed 6-6-8-9-13 for 42 points in the ten race championship, while Aun has placed 11-8-5-10-11 for 45 points overall.
The Scottish yacht Lafayette, skippered by the Allan Manuel from the host club, the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club at Rhu, still holds the overall lead despite being beaten into 3rd and 4th places in today’s races.
Lafayette, a modern 8-metre which recently has been fitted with a new keel, struggled in the light winds, with wins going to seven times world champion Gefion from Canada and the Swiss yacht Aluette.
After three days of racing and five heats completed, Lafayette leads the 8 Metre Centennial World Championship on 11 points with a scorecard of 1-1-2-3-4 from the Dutch entry Hollandia on 17 points (3-3-3-2-6).
The Swiss yacht Yquem is third overall on 19 points (4-5-4-4-2) and the Canadian boat Gefion fourth on 29 points (5-4-7-1-3).
The Swiss yacht Aluette has dropped from second to fifth overall after being disqualified as a premature start in race four, despite her other placings of two wins and two 2nds.
However, she should come back into contention for the world championship once discard race are listed.
The Centennial World Championship of the 8 Metre Class also marks 100 years since the introduction of the Metre Rule for yacht design in 1907.
Today is a lay day with race continuing over the following two days.
by Peter Campbell
View Race Results
Close Window »
|
